Scorched earth

By Lia Bichel and Melissa Meehan
DANDENONG last week directly expressed its concern to the EPA over a proposed contaminated soil treatment facility planned for Dandenong South.
Residents met with the EPA at the Dandenong Club to voice their opinions about a proposal to build the treatment facility on Ordish Road.
The facility, by new waste management company Renex, would allow high temperature treatment of contaminated soils and prescribed waste at the site, releasing smoke from one chimney stack.
Residents have grave fears that if approved, they could suffer cancer and respiratory diseases, which have been reported in populations near similar facilities.
Their concerns come as a recent health report on the Dandenong District Division of General Practitioners shows that the death rate due to lung cancer in Dandenong, Narre Warren, Cranbourne and Berwick is significantly higher than their Melbourne counterparts.
Disapproval of the facility was also made loud and clear by members of RATWISE (Residents Against Toxic Waste in the South East).
The community group presented an application at the conference highlighting their concerns and recommended the EPA advised on a more suitable location.
They emphasised that it was critical that appropriate steps were taken by the EPA to minimise off-site effects on local residents and to safeguard the environment.
Other concerns brought to the EPA’s attention were the possibility of flooding and the risk of industrial disasters.
Greater Dandenong resident Stuart Marriner said he scolded the EPA at the conference.
“I attacked the EPA for looking at a thing like this,” he said. “They didn’t take into consideration that there was an established industry next door.”
Mr Marriner said he also explained that even in well-managed plants, accidents could occur.
“A number (of accidents) have already happened in Dandenong,” Mr Marriner said.