DECEMBER 17, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Kealba fire still burns By Tate Papworth A fi re burning within a waste cell at the Kealba Landfi ll site is yet to be located, despite a lengthy search by authorities. Landfi ll operator Barro Group notified the EPA of a suspected fi re on November 26. Residents close to the landfi ll had reported a “toxic, smokey chemical” smell lingering over the suburb for several weeks. The EPA has for a number of weeks said the hotspot is “under control” but it is still yet to locate it. EPA metro west regional manager Steve Lansdell said the complex nature of the “hotspot” was making it difficult to locate.
Beauty’s bid to stop traffick
- Steve Lansdell
“Removal of landfi ll hotspots can be complex due to their potential depth and scale, as well as the need to minimise the risk of creating additional odour or further incidents of fi re,” he said. “Therefore EPA will proceed with caution and with public and staff safety the priority.” The cell was covered with a thick layer of clay to contain the smoke and odour, however it needs to be uncovered to extinguish the fi re, which is likely to create further odour. The environmental watchdog is yet to issue Barro with any infringements, but has ordered it to install air monitors and develop a community engagement plan. The EPA installed air monitors for a short-term period last week. While the data collected showed the air quality to be good, residents criticised the move as too late. Several residents say they’ve been forced to consult doctors for persistent coughs and have concerns as to what chemicals they’re breathing in. The landfi ll site has long been a point of contention for the community. The proposal to create the landfi ll was fi rst put forward in August 2010 and received more than 650 objections.
(Marco DeLuca) 202290_02
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A Caroline Springs woman on a mission to stamp out child sex trafficking has made a bold bid to help her cause. Tiffany Shen has put herself forward for the title of Miss Australia International with the hope of boosting her public profile, which she says will help create public awareness and provide practical support to charities that work to protect children from the horrors of sex trafficking. “Quite clearly, this atrocious crime is trying to stay undetected so that it may continue to profit from illegal, lucrative activities like sex tourism,” she said. “Stamping out this shocking activity is really just one piece of the puzzle. “The other issue is that the children who somehow survive this cruel reality then either die from neglect, starvation, HIV, abuse, drug overdoses, disease or torture, or they need to somehow create a life for themselves whilst living with the mental and physical scars they have acquired.” Prior to beginning her campaign for the title of Miss Australia, Ms Shen helped out in administration for her parent’s retail business, had been running her own thriving beauty business and was putting her piano skills to the test across a number of Melbourne venues. Details: www.Sunlightfoundation.org.au Tate Papworth
12436428-FA52-19
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EPA will proceed with caution and with public and staff safety the priority