A “vital” clean-up has begun at a Lara waste dump labelled a significant fire hazard this summer, City Hall has announced.
Fire prevention works were part of the activities at the Broderick Road recycling site, where piles of waste have reached heights of 12 metres.
Earlier this year the CFA described the site’s 350,000 square metres of stockpiled waste as a “likely” fire risk.
“Any fire that cannot be extinguished in a first attack would become a complex and long duration fire that would have a severe impact on the surrounding community, including the national and state rail networks and major highways leading into Geelong,” a CFA report said.
But site owner The Australian Sawmilling Company (TASCO) last week began undertaking the clean-up works after tenant C&D Recycling went insolvent and left behind the piles, City Hall said.
The state’s planning tribunal had hit C&D with an enforcement order to clean-up the site but TASCO had taken on “the requirements” after the insolvency.
“TASCO has confirmed with the City that 24-hour security is now on site. The security personnel have basic fire training and will monitor the heat of composting stockpiles,” City Hall said.
“Equipment including fire extinguishers, an excavator and water truck with a water cannon is on site at all times.
“A fire access road has been constructed to the north of the site, which will assist the CFA to reach the site quickly in the event of a fire. Construction of a water pipe and concrete pad for a water tank is underway to ensure the CFA has access to high pressure water once on site.”
Clean-up activities included relocation of tyres from around waste stockpiles to a collection point for removal.
“Mulching of the timber stockpile will begin shortly, with a contractor now engaged and preparing to start work on site,” City Hall said.
Council’s planning and development director was pleased to “see action”.
“These works, part of the rehabilitation and fire prevention plans required by the City, will go a long way to reduce the risk of a fire burning out of control at the site, said Gareth Smith.
“The works are also an important step towards the clean-up of the site.
“The community can feel reassured that measures are in place to protect the site and surrounding areas from fire, and action is being taken to clean the site up.”
