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22 JULY, 2025
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Concrete health fears By Sam Porter Kealba residents are fearful their health may be further impacted if operations recommence at a concrete and rock recycling facility at the same address where a landfill fire has been burning underground for six years. The recycling facility and the Kealba landfill, located at 2-22 Sunshine Avenue, are both operated by Barro Group, which has previously come under scrutiny by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and residents for failing to manage ongoing environmental and health risks at the site. Neighbours of the site recently received a letter from the Barro Group in regards to recommencing operations at its concrete and rock recycling facility. In order to recommence operations, Barro Group must obtain EPA approval in addition to a permit previously granted in 1999. The approval is needed as part of new legislation. Barro applied for the approvals in 2021 but there were delays in the application process, which a Barro spokesperson attributed to “administration errors”. Operations at the facility stopped in February this year after the EPA reviewed the business and informed Barro it needs to apply for approval. An EPA spokesperson said an organisation can also apply for an exemption, which the Barro Group has applied for and is currently under
consideration. Under the exemption the company must still demonstrate they can operate compliantly and meet strict conditions. As part of this exemption application process, Barro is obliged to carry out a community consultation. It has engaged the company Public Place to do so on its behalf.
This is high risk. You cannot put mechanisms in place to mitigate dust, or smoke … enough already - Nicole Power Nicole Power lives 300 metres from the site and expressed concerns the recycling facility, which is separate to the landfill despite being at the same site, would create noise issues and contribute to air quality problems by stirring up dust. “They were crushing rock at 5.45 in the morning at one point,” she said. “This is high risk. You cannot put mechanisms in place to mitigate dust, or smoke … enough already.” She said the impacts of the fires at the landfill are ongoing. “The smell gets in your throat and wakes you up … it has woken me up in the middle of the night,” she said.
Club president Hayden Kelly and secretary Russell Pollock. (Damjan Janevski) 487625_03
Keilor history honoured Keilor Sports Club has unveiled a spectacular new mural as part of its recent club room upgrades. The artwork, painted by Brigitte Dawson and Melissa Turner as part of Melbourne’s Murals, depicts a range of historical focuses related to the Keilor area. Club president Hayden Kelly said “all reviews have been entirely favourable”. The club worked with the historical society to plan out what elements they wanted to include in the artwork. Historical photographs and references were then passed onto
Melbourne’s Murals who worked everything into a singular image for the mural. “That [image] was the first concept they presented and we loved it,” said Kelly. The mural and clubroom rebuild was funded by the state government, Brimbank council, Melbourne Airport and contributions from the local community. “We were able to build a facility that was built by the community for the community and will serve the community for many years to come,” said Kelly.
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CNR TAYLORS ROAD AND CALDER PARK DRIVE 12733903-MS18-25