Newsletter
The Community Liaison Committee Former Sunshine Quarry
October 2011
Results of Dust Monitoring at the Barro Site
EPA Victoria had issued Barro with a Pollution Abatement Notice requiring dust monitoring from the former quarry site. The notice
required the Barro Group to implement a six-month dust monitoring program beginning on 1 December 2010, that:
1.
2.
3.
Assessed the levels of particles as PM10 in the residential area most likely to be impacted by emissions of particles against
the requirements of the State Environment Protection Policy (Ambient Air Quality) was in accordance with the relevant
Australian Standards in relation to the TEOM monitoring, and was conducted by a NATA accredited laboratory.
Identified the activities which generate particles as PM10 at the premises and residential areas where impacts of the dust
are likely to be highest.
Was monitored on-site using the DustTrak monitors at the four locations agreed with EPA, and off-site using the TEOM
monitor at the location agreed with the EPA.
Dust testing monitors were located around the perimeter of the former quarry site and a real time continuous PM 10 monitor was
placed close to the residential area in the vicinity of Sunshine Ave, Kealba (12 Rumbriah Ret, St Albans).
The purpose of the dust monitoring was to measure whether dust generated from the site complied with limits in the relevant EPA
air quality standard – the State Environment Protection Policy (Ambient Air Quality).
Results from the real-time continuous monitoring instrument (the TEOM) showed no breach of the State Environment Protection
Policy (Ambient Air Quality) and therefore the Pollution Abatement Notice has been lifted.
The average daily PM10 level at the TEOM monitoring station in Kealba was lower than Brooklyn for the period of monitoring,
similar to Sunshine West and Footscray, and greater than Deer Park.
90
80
PM10 (μg/m3)
70
PM10
Standard
60
50
Sunshine
West
40
Brooklyn
30
Kealba
20
10
0
01-Dec-10
01-Jan-11
01-Feb-11 01-Mar-11
01-Apr-11
01-May-11
Date
The Community Liaison Committee – Former Sunshine Quarry
The Former Sunshine Quarry Committee Liaison Committee is an advisory committee to Council, which was formed in response
to community concerns surrounding the dust and noise emanating from the former quarry site. With representation from Council,
the community, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Parks Victoria and Barro Group, the site’s owner and operator, the
committee continues to be a forum for consultation by employing expert advice; informing the community about the regulatory
standards Barro must meet; promoting information exchange and local community input in relation to the ongoing management
and rehabilitation of the area.
The Community Liaison Committee - Former Sunshine Quarry
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Results of Dust Monitoring at the Barro Site (Cont)
Between December 2010 and May 2011, there were 29 hours when poor air quality (PM10 levels >80μg/m3) were recorded at the
TEOM location in Kealba, near Barro’s site. During the same period, there were 81 hours of poor air quality at Brooklyn, but only
seven at Footscray, and six each at Sunshine West and Deer Park.
The wind direction for 13 of the 29 poor air quality hours measured by the TEOM in the residential location near Barro was
consistent with dust coming from Barro’s site or a north-north east wind direction. Further analysis of data from the DustTraks
around Barro’s boundary perimeter shows that Barro’s site activities significantly contributed (dust levels increased by at least
50% from one side to the other) to three of the 13 poor air quality hours.
Dust Management Plan to reduce dust emissions from the Former Sunshine
Quarry site
Barro Group continues to implement its Dust Management Plan. The Community Liaison Committee – Former Sunshine Quarry
has been involved in the development of the plan. The purpose of the Dust Management Plan is to identify the procedures and
measures which need to be adhered to in order to reduce the amount of dust from the former quarry site affecting the residential
areas near the site.
The site currently accommodates an existing concrete batching plant and materials recycling facility. The Dust Management Plan
includes both of the existing operations as part of the plan.
The current hours of operation at the site are 6am to 10pm Monday to Friday and 6am to 3pm on Saturdays. The operations
involve the basalt rock being crushed at the site sourced from industrial, commercial and residential development sites across
Melbourne and reclaimed concrete recovered from demolition sites sold by Barro Group as aggregate and road base material.
The plan includes a procedure for the operations at the site to stop if the levels of dust exceed a predetermined unacceptable
level.
Where to from here
Council has written to the Minister for Environment and Climate Change and the Metropolitan Waste Management Group
requesting the removal of the site at 2 – 22 Sunshine Avenue, Kealba as a future solid inert waste landfill from the Metropolitan
Landfill Schedule to the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Strategic Plan (2 March 2009).
Council has also written to the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) seeking clarification about the Works Approval
the Authority issued for the landfill.
This correspondence follows the recent Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) order to refuse the planning application
for the solid inert waste landfill and changes to the Best Practice Environmental Management Guideline (Siting, Design Operation
and Rehabilitation of Landfills) (BEPM) 2010. The Barro Group Pty Ltd has appealed the VCAT decision on a point of law to the
Supreme Court. Council will be represented at the Supreme Court on a date which will be set by the court and will oppose the
point of law.
Reporting pollution
Residents may report pollution including dust to the EPA’s Pollution Watch Line on 1300 372 842 (a 24 hour service). EPA
officers use information such as wind data, recent field investigations and information from the community to determine possible
sources. Follow up action may include on-site attendance, after consideration of the extent, nature and severity of pollution
reports from the community.
Residents can also call the Barro Group Pty Ltd Complaints Hotline if they are experiencing problems of dust or noise from the
operations of the site. Contact Monica Casauria from Barro Group Head Office on 9663 1333 Mon – Fri, 8am to 5pm.
Your concerns and feedback
Council would like to offer all members of the community the opportunity to raise any specific concerns and/or provide the
committee with any general comments. You can do this either by phoning Lorraine Harrison, Project Officer for the Committee on
(03) 9249 4766, or writing to Brimbank City Council, PO Box 70, Sunshine, VIC 3020 or by emailing
strategicplanning@brimbank.vic.gov.au
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