Victorian recycling plants are fire prone due to an overload of materials

THE state’s recycling centres have been branded a “ticking time bomb” amid fears mounting piles of material will pose a serious fire risk.

Toxic smoke and ash are blown over Melbourne from a recycling plant fire in Coolaroo on a windy day in Melbourne. Picture: Nicole Garmston

THE state’s recycling centres have been branded a “ticking time bomb” amid fears mounting piles of material will pose a serious fire risk.

Opposition environment spokesman Nick Wakeling told the Sunday Herald Sun the China recycling crisis had left local facilities struggling to cope.

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The warning followed yet another recycling centre fire which broke out at Wantirna on Friday.

“The risk of more out of control fires at waste facilities is a ticking time bomb,’’ Mr Wakeling said.

A recycling plant fire at Coolaroo, near Melbourne, in July 2017. Picture: Jason Edwards

“The Premier was warned of this unfolding crisis nearly a year ago but did nothing until it was too late.”

Major companies have been scrambling to deal with China’s decision to stop taking Australia’s recyclable plastics and have flagged extra costs for Victorians and local councils.

The are now fears growing recycling stockpiles pose a major fire danger.

Melbourne saw the impact of a large recycling blaze first-hand in July last year when a pile of debris caught alight at the Coolaroo recycling plant and burned for 20 days.

The unprecedented disaster impacted hundreds of residents and poured toxic smoke on surrounding suburbs.

A class action is now afoot.

The blaze prompted the creation of the Resource Recovery Facilities Audit Taskforce and a statewide audit of waste facilities.

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The alarming findings, delivered in December, revealed dozens of facilities lacked the planning and resources to deal with a fire event.

Issues with stockpiling were also raised.

The State Government has introduced interim guidelines to reduce the fire risk until August.

However it is feared the recent China ban will make it difficult for operators to abide by the new regulations.

Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said action was being taken to avoid future fires and ensure Victorian’s health wasn’t put a risk.

Ms D’Ambrosio pointed to a special taskforce which was doing “vital work to improve safety and ensure we don’t see a repeat of fires like Coolaroo”.

“Work is well underway to help industry and local government address these challenges and we’re already investing at record levels to manage waste in the long term,’’ she said.

“We’re consulting with industry and the community about how to make important reforms permanent across Victoria.”

The Wantirna fire, at the Knox Transfer Station, was brought under control at 4.40pm on Friday.

A pile of mattresses measuring 60m was alight and a separate grassfire ignited and spread for 2 ha.