New EPA laws will not be enforced for a year, despite toxic Campbellfield fire

New laws aimed at averting environ­mental disasters will not be enforced for more than a year despite Friday’s toxic Campbellfield factory fire, the third similar incident in two years.

New laws aimed at averting environ­mental disasters will not be enforced for more than a year despite Friday’s toxic Campbellfield factory fire.

Wide-ranging powers for the state’s environmental watchdog and new penalties for dodgy businesses of up to $3.2 million were approved by parliament last year after three years of inquiries.

But the laws do not take effect until next July, with Friday’s blaze — the third similar incident in two years — raising pressure on the Andrews Government to fast-track the laws.

EPA CHECKED FACTORY DAYS BEFORE TOXIC FIREBALL

CAMPBELLFIELD FACTORY INFERNO SENDS DRUMS SKYWARD

EXPLOSIONS AND SMOKE FROM HUGE CAMPBELLFIELD FIRE

Firefighters battle the blaze at Bradbury Industrial Services in Campbellfield. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The collapsed remains of the Campbellfield factory. Picture: MFB

After questions to Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio’s spokesperson, the government maintained the delay was necessary to ensure the reforms worked effectively.

The Environment Protection Authority suspended the licence of the operator of the Campbellfield facility last month, and inspected the site the day before the fire that sent smoke billowing across Melbourne.

Bradbury Industrial Services had also received other official warnings in recent years. Trades Hall secretary Luke Hilakari accused the government and the EPA of ignoring union suggest­ions to allow employees to refuse to carry out work that breached environ­mental laws.

“The EPA could have thousands of eyes and ears across Victoria to stop this malfeasance,” he said.

The out-of-control fire rages at Thornycroft St in Campbellfield. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

EPA chief executive Dr Cathy Wilkinson said “strong regulatory action” had been taken to deal with Bradbury before workers had to run for their lives on Friday.

But she said the EPA would have to wait until next year to get “stronger powers and the ability to issue tougher penalties for environmental offences”.

About 30 firefighters remained at the Campbellfield facility on Saturday to douse hot spots. Emergency services will hold a community meeting at 11am today at the Hume Global Learning Centre in Broadmeadows.

Bradbury has remained silent on the fire.

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