State Government of Victoria

Dust particle emissions in Brooklyn have more than halved since works began to seal two of the area’s dustiest roads, the latest Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) data has shown.

Works to seal Jones and Bunting roads – major sources of PM₁₀ emissions – began in May 2015 and were completed in October 2015.

The latest EPA data shows that during the 12 month period from when road sealing works began in May 2015 to the end of April 2016, the PM₁₀ standard was exceeded on a total of eight days. 

This is compared to 19 PM₁₀ exceedance days for the same period in 2014/15, 34 days in 2013/14 and 29 days in 2012/13.

EPA Chief Executive Officer, Nial Finegan said the latest figures were the best air quality results Brooklyn had seen since EPA began air monitoring in 2009.

“The successful sealing of Bunting and Jones roads has significantly helped to reduce dust and air pollution in Brooklyn,” he said.

“However more work is needed to help reduce dust impacts in the area. PM₁₀ exceedances in the area are still above the national goal of no more than five days per year and the air quality experienced by the residents of Brooklyn still needs to be improved.”

“EPA will continue to regulate industrial sites in the area where dust discharges are contributing to exceedances and work with council to ensure other roads are not an ongoing source of dust pollution.”

EPA data also shows that during the same 12 month period, rainfall levels were the lowest since air monitoring in Brooklyn began in 2009. This provides further evidence road sealing has led to air quality improvements rather than rainfall helping to reduce dust impacts.

The project was made possible by a $1.85million State Government and a $750,000 Brimbank City Council contribution.