Campbellfield residents demand crackdown on toxic waste industry

Firefighters have handed the Campbellfield site of a massive inferno to WorkSafe investigators, after the industrial blaze burned for four days. Furious residents affected by the fire said they fear for their health and want government action.

Furious residents affected by the toxic Campbellfield factory fire say they are worried about their health and they want the state government to take action.

Up to 80 people gathered outside Hume City Council on Monday night, days after the northern suburbs choked through another factory fire.

It comes as firefighters officially haded over the site to WorkSafe investigators on Tuesday, after they spent days at the scene putting out any hot spots.

EPA CHECKED FACTORY DAYS BEFORE TOXIC FIREBALL

DESPITE TOXIC FIRE, EPA LAWS STILL A YEAR AWAY

Specialist fire investigators will continue working with Victoria Police to determine the fire’s cause.

The Bradbury Industrial Services factory blaze on Friday came just a month after the business had its license suspended for holding more than double the legal amount of hazardous chemical waste on site.

Retired builder and Broadmeadows resident Mick Lewis, 77, called for the state government to give more power to regulators, blaming a lack of consequences for the “snowball” events surrounding the fire.

The toxic Campbellfield fire which closed schools and left residents fearing for their heath. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

He also said migrant workers were being forced to stay quiet on the amounts of flammable and illegal waste being stored in facilities.

“Staff can see how many chemicals there are but they can’t say anything or they lose their jobs,” Mr Lewis said.

“They are exposed to this toxic waste, respiratory issues and have to put up with it to put food on the table for their families.”

Craigieburn resident Marcus Harrington, 37, said there should be more policing to regulate chemical waste at factories.

“It is a reasonable expectation for this community that there are rules in place to ensure recycling and disposable waste is handled to minimise harm to humans and the environment,” he said.

“We are being exposed to health and environmental hazards. Already disadvantaged kids can’t go to school.”

It is unknown what caused the Campbellfield blaze, which took days to extinguish.

The fire took days to extinguish. Picture: Alex Coppel

DRUMS SHOT INTO THE AIR ‘LIKE ROCKETS’

Coolaroo resident Sheriden Tate said she was sick of the northern suburbs being treated as a “dumping ground”.

“Why should our area be a dumping ground for this waste … we’re leaving a problem for the future,” she said.

Tamil Refugee Council spokesman Aran Mylvaganam said more could have been done for “exploited” Sri Lankan refugee and Bradbury worker Vignesh, who suffered serious burns as he fled the factory.

“Refugees are offered such poor working conditions, but many have no other choice but to keep working there,” he said.

Victorian Socialists candidate for Calwell Jerome Small called for “air he could breathe” as the group prepared to attend the Hume City Council general meeting at 7pm tonight.

“You wouldn’t see this happen in Toorak or Brighton, so why do we have to put up with it,” he said.

“People are sick of having a cough and being covered in smoke.”

Security at the site is in place and those businesses deemed safe have been allowed to return.

Local council, EPA, WorkSafe, Melbourne Water and DHHS are working on recovery at the site.

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