Coolaroo fire: MFB called to recycling plant nine times in five years

FIREFIGHTERS have been called nine times in five years to the Coolaroo recycling plant at the centre of last week’s massive fire which continues to smoulder — including four times already this year.

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FIREFIGHTERS were called nine times in five years to the recycling plant in Coolaroo that is at the centre of a toxic fire.

Toxic smoke and ash blew over Melbourne as the huge blaze burnt. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The Leader can reveal the MFB has attended four fires at SKM Recycling so far this year, three in 2015 and one each in 2013 and 2012.

It comes as residents say an audit of recycling facilities has come too little too late to help save the Dallas community.

Hundreds of homes had to be evacuated after plumes of thick black smoke from the factory in Coolaroo suffocated the surrounding area.

Two fires broke out in a rubbish pile at the Maffra St site within 24 hours on July 13 with firefighters struggling for more than a week to put out the massive blaze.

Broadmeadows Progress Association assistant secretary Sonja Rutherford said residents had been badly let down.

Police closed roads in the area. Picture: Nicole Garmston

More than 70 residents and business owners have signed up for a class action against the plant.

“We are angry that after everything that has happened at this site nothing was done to prevent another fire from occurring again,” Ms Rutherford said.

“People’s health shouldn’t be based on the luck of the winds but on robust and strong protocols and supervisions. But any audit now has come too little too late for us.”

In the wake of the fire the State Government has announced a joint taskforce to target recycling sites requiring extra management measures.

Firefighters battling the blaze on July 15. Picture: David Crosling

More than 130 firefighters fought the huge fire. Picture: Stefan Postles

It can be revealed on the day of the fire the Environment Protection Authority was due to inspect the factory for safety risks.

WorkSafe spokesman Peter Flaherty said its inspectors had visited on a number of occasions this year in relation to a range of health and safety matters.

Plant manager Robert Italiano said, in a statement, that the company was sorry for the impact on neighbours and was working with authorities.

But he said recycling infrastructure had become strained.

“Rubbish bins are now smaller, recycling bins are bigger and we seem to be one of only a few investing in the necessary infrastructure to manage the state’s growing recycling demands,” he said.

“That’s why we find ourselves where we are today.”

Toxic smoke swirls over Barry Rd in Dallas. Picture: Ian Currie

Hume chief executive Domenic Isola said the council supported any increased regulation and controls of sites of this nature that lead to a safer outcomes.

But the council wouldn’t comment on whether it would cancel its licence with SKM Recycling.

Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the Government was taking immediate measures to ensure better protections for Victorians and the environment.