Maribyrnong City Council: Residents raise health concerns with Steel Cement’s planning application at Whitehall St, Yarraville

A group of western suburbs residents already plagued by poor air quality fear the $180m expansion of a cement facility will flood their roads with trucks.

Yarraville residents are concerned about a clinker grinding facility planning application for Whitehall St which would operate 24/7 and increase truck traffic by 185 vehicles daily: Ryan Marsden-Smith

A group of western suburbs residents plagued by poor air quality fear the $180m expansion of a cement facility will flood the roads with more trucks in an area already in the grip of a health emergency.

Steel Cement has lodged a development application for its Yarraville site which features a manufacturing plant and grinding mill.

The application, which is before Maribyrnong City Council, proposes to expand Steel Cement’s grinding capability and introduce clinker processing to make its own cement.

Yarraville residents are concerned about the flagged upgrade to a cement facility in Yarraville which would see an increase of 185 trucks everyday: Ryan Marsden-Smith

Planning documents have revealed an extra 185 trucks and 24 staff vehicles would travel through the site everyday — for a total of 400 truck movements — sounding the alarm bell for nearby residents.

It follows damning studies into the air quality in Melbourne’s western suburbs with children more likely to be diagnosed with asthma and hospital admissions for young people 70 per cent higher than the national average.

Earlier this year, the council declared a “health emergency” and now residents are urging it to be more transparent on future projects and prioritise long-term health implications.

The existing facility at Whitehall St already operates 24/7 but residents are worried about the potential health impacts of the $180m upgrade. Ryan Marsden-Smith

Yarraville resident Ryan Marsden-Smith believed the council knew of the application for some time but only gave residents a short period to voice concerns.

“Given we all breathe the same air, more people should have been made aware of the project sooner,” Mr Marsden-Smith said.

“These are the same roads the government is spending billions to remove trucks from, (the council) should not allow existing landholders, excluding the port, to bring more demand to an area that suffers from the worst air quality in Melbourne.”

Yarraville local Ryan Marsden-Smith says residents have been given little time to voice their concerns about the project. Picture: Supplied

“We would love the council and our local member (Labor MP Katie Hall) to stand up for the community but expect that commercial interests will take precedence.”

Mr Marsden-Smith has helped organise leaflets for nearby residents zoned residential so they can be informed about the project.

The council’s chief executive, Celia Haddock, confirmed a planning application had been lodged for the Whitehall St site.

“The community can provide feedback by completing a submission or objection to a planning permit form,” Ms Haddock said.

The council is expected to make its decision before the end of this year.

Footscray state Labor MP Katie Hall said improving air quality in the innerwest and reducing truck movements was a major priority for her.

“The Westgate Tunnel will take 9000 trucks off local roads every day and together with Melissa Horne, we secured a $20m clean air commitment to upgrade old trucks and seal roads to reduce dust,” Ms Hall said.

“I don’t have decision making capacity with this application but I will seek further information from the council and am always happy to speak with residents and advocate on their behalf.”

The EPA has also received a development licence application and is seeking comment from affected community members, while residents can object to planning applications here.

Steel Cement was contacted for comment.