Factory fires, illegal storage of chemicals and recycling plant closures
Thank you to all community members who have supported Hume City Council's call for community support after a spate of incidents – including the stockpiling of illegal chemicals, factory fires and the closure of multiple recycling facilities – to demand changes within the waste industry.
As part of the Inquiry into Recycling and Waste Management, the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee has heard from community members speaking about their experience and the impact it had on them of these or similar incidents.
If you seek further information please email recyclinginquiry@parliament.vic.gov.au or phoning 8682 2869.
The video below shows how important this is to our community.
Council has also written to the Victorian Government, in the strongest of terms, to state its concern and frustration that operators in our municipality continue to flout the law and compromise our legitimate businesses and community safety.
The Victorian Auditor-General’s Office report, Recovering and Reprocessing Resources from Waste echoes Council’s concerns and gives a scathing insight into waste management in Victoria, identifying significant gaps in plans, strategies, policies and regulation.
Council wants the government to use part of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) landfill levy to better resource WorkSafe and EPA, giving them increased power to police the industry and better protect the community.
Council understands that there are consequences on our community and local businesses as a result of the illegal stockpiling of chemicals, factory fires and the closure of multiple recycling facilities.
Background video coverage supplied courtesy of Seven Network. All rights reserved. ©
Hume City Council acknowledges The Age for print coverage of the events.
