By Cam Lucadou-Wells
THREE soil and mulch businesses in O’Grady Road, Hallam have been put on notice by the state’s environmental watchdog over dust pollution plaguing nearby homes and factories.
In a letter seen by Star News, the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) advised the businesses to shut down on windy days in response to complaints by neighbours to the north and south.
The EPA also advised the businesses to hire a qualified consultant to implement dust management plans.
“Be aware that EPA continues to monitor the area,” EPA southern metro region acting manager Marleen Mathias stated in the letter.
She warned that formal Pollution Abatement Notices would be issued if the sites were likely to be the cause of further dust problems off-site.
Ms Mathias told Star News that the businesses faced potential fines of up to $777,300 if prosecuted in court.
EPA officers will report back with study findings into the dust by mid-February, she said.
The EPA action comes several years after businesses in Bolt Court as well as residents in Hampton Park say they started complaining about the odours and dust.
The residents in Rowland Close and Glenora Way report regular and severe hay-fever, skin hives, asthma attacks, coughing and sore eyes suffered by children, young and old residents alike.
Nearby workers tell of the need to hose down vehicles daily and to keep factory doors constantly closed due to the dusty emissions.
In July 2015, the EPA issued a Pollution Abatement Notice against one of the three notified businesses Supreme Organic Soils (SOS).
It revoked the notice several months later after SOS complied with an odour management plan including buying a water tanker to suppress dust.
SOS owner Frank Forino said of the latest EPA letter that “we’re doing our best in the situation”.
He repeated his claim that the unsealed, Casey Council-owned O’Grady Road was also to blame.
A Casey spokesman said the council currently conducted monthly inspections and grading, annual gravel resurfacing and at least a yearly dust suppressant treatment of the road.
“As a result council is satisfied that factors other than the road are the major source of concerns.”
It is believed adjoining businesses have refused to contribute towards the estimated $10 million cost of sealing the road.
Casey councillor Damien Rosario said the council had been in regular contact with the EPA to ensure they were aware of the local concerns.
“We have urged them to continue to work with those businesses until the issues are resolved.“
