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Melbourne chemical stockpiles under guard

Toxic waste stockpiles in Melbourne's north are being guarded around the clock by security.

Blaze at a factory in West Footscray, Melbourne (file image)

Investigations following the West Footscray factory fire have uncovered stockpiles of toxic waste. Source: AAP

Security guards are keeping watch around the clock on four illegal chemical waste sites in Melbourne's north.

Concerning amounts of liquid chemical waste were uncovered on December 28 in warehouses in Epping and Campbellfield following investigations into the toxic West Footscray fire, the Environmental Protection Authorities says.

The EPA advises the waste is contained and there is no immediate risk to the community, but neighbouring businesses will be alerted by authorities.

Security staff are maintaining a 24-hour presence and mobile air quality monitoring devices are in place as a precaution.

Authorities believe it will take several weeks to identify and quantify all of the chemicals.

The EPA, fire agencies, Victoria Police and WorkSafe have been investigating sites since the chemical fire at West Footscray which burned for days and sent toxins into local waterways last August.


1 min read

Published

By Saleem Al-Fahad



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