Claws out over latest toxic Melbourne fire

Another hazardous waste fire at a Melbourne factory has sparked demands for more to be done to bring the sector into line.

Smoke from factory fire in Melbourne

Calls for stronger regulation after another fire in a Melbourne factory stockpiling chemicals. (AAP)

Yet another hazardous waste fire at a Melbourne factory has sparked demands for more stringent oversight of the sector.

Friday's blaze at Campbellfield comes just weeks after the site's licence was suspended by the Environmental Protection Authority due to stockpiled chemicals.

The watchdog's crackdown followed a long-burning toxic fire at West Footscray in August.

Recycling giant SKM's Coolaroo plant has also twice caught fire, once in 2017 then again last year, and the business recently had several other plants shut down by the EPA because of overflowing materials.

"Three hazardous waste management fires in two years isn't a coincidence, it's a sign that there is a massive problem with the Andrews Labor Government's management of this issue," Liberal-Nationals opposition environment spokesman David Morris said.

"As Minister, Lily D'Ambrosio has been more focused on excuses than solutions."

Greens leader Samantha Ratnam said current penalties were not strong enough to ward off industry cowboys.

"It's completely unacceptable for toxic chemical fires to be erupting with such frequency. It puts workers, families and firefighters at risk," she said.

But Premier Daniel Andrews said the government was acting, with ramped-up inspections by the EPA, WorkSafe and fire authorities in recent months.

"I don't think anybody could credibly accuse the government and its agencies of not being out there looking," he told reporters.

"We have been doing an enormous amount of spot auditing and checking to make sure the rules are followed."

He said those caught flouting the rules would face tough penalties.

Victoria's largest collector of kerbside recycling, SKM, has met the requests of the regulator by reducing stockpiles and been permitted to re-open.

During their shutdown recyclable waste was sent to landfill by some councils, sparking national outcry and calls for inquiries stretching all the way to the Senate.


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Source: AAP



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