Coolaroo fire: SKM Recycling apologises for blaze

STOCKPILES of recycling material that continue to burn five days after a major Coolaroo blaze had not been sorted since February, as the company manager says he is “extremely sorry”.

• SKM Laverton handed EPA improvement notices
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• Fire takes hold of Coolaroo recycling plant

THE manager of a Coolaroo recycling plant that continues to burn five days after it set alight says he is “extremely sorry” for the blaze.

SKM Recycling business manager Robert Italiano said the fire had impacted the local community, workers and business.

“We are very sorry for what our neighbours and the local community had to go through this week and we’re working closely with all authorities to minimise any further impacts,” Mr Italiano said.

Firefighters battle the Coolaroo blaze. Picture: David Crosling

It comes as the Herald Sun can reveal waste had not been sorted at the Coolaroo plant since February, when a major electrical fire destroyed processing equipment.

Recycling waste — mostly from Victorian councils — was stockpiled for almost five months at the Coolaroo site.

It was this stockpile that set alight last Wednesday, and again the next morning.

The stockpile set alight in a major blaze last Thursday. Picture: 7 NEWS

It was the second time the stockpiles set fire in 24-hours. Picture: 7 NEWS

Homes and businesses were evacuated and a toxic smoke plume travelled as far as St Kilda. That fire continues to burn, but is now under control.

SKM Recycling is now putting in a temporary plant to prevent the need for stockpiling.

Mr Italiano, whose father Joe owns SKM Recycling, said the fire had “brought to a head a much bigger infrastructure issue”.

“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.”

Premier Daniel Andrews is briefed at the Coolaroo recycling factory on Saturday. Picture: David Crosling

He welcomed the multi-agency taskforce announced by the government and said SKM Recycling had hired an independent expert investigator to determine the cause of four fires at Coolaroo since February.

“The reason we put the investigator on is there has been no clear reason for these latest fires to have occurred,” Mr Italiano said.

“Regardless, the investigator will investigate all fires to see whether there is any link in any way.”

SKM Recycling had previously refused to comment.

But the company hired a PR firm today and provided a lengthy response to questions.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) visited SKM Recycling sites at Geelong and Hallam today and are yet to offer results of the inspections.

EPA improvement notices have been handed to SKM Recycling’s Laverton site. Picture: David Crosling

The EPA handed down three improvement notices for the company’s Laverton site on Friday.

Air quality tests in Coolaroo have returned to normal and monitoring will continue to ensure public health.

@ashargoon