Concerns raised about dust from Burrum Heads housing developments

Shock footage has revealed the extent of dust blowing from housing developments at a sleepy riverside village into the community, nearby homes and on swimming pools. Watch the video.

From covering their pools to water tanks and surfaces in the home, Burrum Heads residents have been left infuriated at dust blowing across the region from nearby housing developments.

About 50 people gathered at Burrum Heads Community Centre on Wednesday night to share their concerns about work being carried out by civil and building works company SGQ at the Dolphin Waters, Ocean Edge and On The Beach estates.

Videos of dust being blown from the development site were shared, along with photos of the dust accumulating in parts of their homes.

One woman said she had to wipe down the toilet seat in between using it.

During the meeting, residents said no real measures were being taken to manage the dust, including moving dirt and sand around the sites and failing to use water to contain the dust on the sites.

An uncovered truck in the Burrum Heads area delivering dirt.

Videos of uncovered trucks transporting dirt to the development site were also shared at the meeting.

One man said the company was not working in a “logical sequence”.

“I watched that subdivision over there, they had a pile of sand there and they moved it four times in six months and it ended up in the same spot,” he said.

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Concerns were raised about the Fraser Coast Regional Council and whether proper monitoring of the site was being carried out.

Among those at the meeting were division 1 council candidates Darcey Bain, who chaired the meeting, and Michelle Byrne.

John Barounis, who has been selected as the LNP candidate for Maryborough for the 2024 state election, also attended.

A sponge showing the dirt wiped up from the dust blowing through the homes in the area.

One woman said property damage was a major concern held by the residents surrounding the development.

One of the residents said she considered climbing up on her roof to clean her solar panels, which had been covered with dust.

Those with water tanks were concerned about the dust getting into their water.

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Health concerns were also shared, in particular for elderly people in the community and those with asthma.

The Burrum Heads Community Association was nominated to lead a committee to address the ongoing issues with dust.

Dust invades homes at Burrum Heads near the Dolphin Waters housing estate.

Fraser Coast Regional Council issued a response to the community’s concerns.

“Council is aware of concerns about dust from development sites in Burrum Heads,” a spokesman said.

“Council included dust control conditions as part of the development permit.

“Winds reached up to 68 kilometres per hour in the last two dust events, which made it challenging for the contractors to manage dust.

“Council has discussed with contractors on-site the need to improve dust control and is continuing to monitor the situation.

“Council has requested stockpiles be extended, bigger water trucks used, and for hydromulch and turf to be installed.”

SGQ has been contacted for comment.