Dangerous goods laws placed under review after West Footscray and Campbellfield chemical fires
Over 13 million litres of stockpiled waste chemicals have been removed by Worksafe since the toxic West Footscray and Campbellfield fires. Now a review of dangerous goods laws hopes to end the unsafe practice.
VIC News
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Victoria’s dangerous goods laws will be reviewed in a bid to curb unsafe chemical stockpiling.
The Labor Government confirmed it will put the Dangerous Goods Act 1985 and its associated regulations under review after dangerous stockpiling resulted in large chemical fires in West Footscray in August 2018 and in Campbellfield in April 2019.
Workplace Safety Minister Jill Hennessy confirmed that Andrew Palmer QC has been appointed to conduct the review.
“We know that the unsafe storing, handling or disposal of dangerous chemicals poses a real threat to local communities,” Ms Hennessy said.
“This review will make sure dangerous goods laws remain effective and keep Victorian’s safe.”
“Mr Palmer brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this important review which will safeguard all Victorians.”
The final report and recommendations are expected to be delivered next year.
In 2019, government investigations uncovered waste chemicals being stored at 13 sites across northern Melbourne.
Over 13 million litres of the stockpiled waste chemicals have been removed by Worksafe, clearing four sites in Epping, three in Craigieburn and three in Campbellfield.
Chemicals from the last three sites, located in Campbellfield, are currently being removed.
Bradbury Industrial Services have been charged by Worksafe with 35 breaches of the Dangerous Goods Act in relation to five of the sites in Campbellfield and Craigieburn.
Harkness man Graham Leslie White has also been charged by the workplace watchdog with 55 offences over the alleged illegal stockpiling of dangerous goods.
The charges are relating to four warehouses he occupied in Epping and one in Campbellfield, with investigations continuing.
The review comes after new penalties were introduced to tackle reckless storage of dangerous goods, including prison sentences of up to 10 years and fines of over $6.4 million for rogue operators.
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