BROOKLYN Community Reference Group members were angered when recently told of the former Brimbank City Council’s decision to approve a proposed recycling plant in Brooklyn.

After a public meeting that the reference group held on 18 November, On the Nose Community Group member Bruce Light told the members about the planned asphalt recycling operation, which the council had approved earlier this year. It was the first the members had heard of it and they were outraged because they believed the Somerville Rd development could worsen the area’s air pollution.

The members said Brooklyn’s industry already caused too much noise, odour and dust.

Giancarlo Charlie Volpe, a member of the Brooklyn Residents Action Group who attends BCRG meetings, said people were leaving the area because they could not handle the dust in the air.

Mr Light said the dust problem was horrendous and the recycling plant would add to it and make it worse. “We’re trying to reduce it, not increase it. We’re not putting up with the west becoming the garbage dump of Melbourne,” he said.

Mr Light also expressed outrage that the ex-Brimbank City Council had ignored advice from the state Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to consult the BCRG about the plan. He said the EPA had said they had no jurisdiction over the development and it fell under council regulation.

A VCAT merit hearing is scheduled for 17 February next year. Mr Harrison said the proposal met Brimbank Planning Scheme zoning provisions.

Patten Pavement Services, which lodged the proposal, did not respond by Star’s deadline.

- Alesha Capone