NOVEMBER 27, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
Toxic cocktail exposed By Benjamin Millar Sam decorating the tree. (Joe Mastroianni) 201243_02
Christmas window cheer Hobsons Bay’s shop windows are about to get a festive makeover with Christmas wreaths, lights, nutcrackers and other decorations as part of the annual Shops on Show competition. Shoppers are being invited to vote for their favourite shopfronts from December 1 to 15 to be in the draw for more than $7000 in prizes under the council initiative. Prizes will showcase other Hobsons Bay offerings such as sailing on the Enterprize tall ship, ghost tours, doggy walking tours, holiday accommodation, shopping, dining and pampering. The three businesses with the most votes will also win prizes. Hobsons Bay mayor Colleen Gates said the competition aimed to boost local Christmas trade and festive cheer. “Christmas is a wonderful time of year to support local Hobsons Bay businesses, whilst picking up treasures you won’t find anywhere else,” she said. “Why head to the city to see Christmas window displays when we will have a fantastic display of lights and decorations on show in our own backyard.” Shoppers can vote for their favourite Christmas display by ‘liking’ shopfront photos posted on the council’s Facebook and Instagram pages. For more information or to register your business by Thursday, visit www. hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ShopsonShow Goya Dmytryshchak
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Authorities bracing for the massive task of removing millions of litres of dangerous waste from the site of the Tottenham fire have revealed a toxic cocktail of more than 100 different chemicals remains at the site. Star Weekly last month reported up to 10 million litres of chemical waste have been sitting on the site for more than a year, sparking a furious response from nearby residents worried about the potential health and safety risks. Environment Protection Authority Victoria and WorkSafe earlier this year ordered the site’s owner to devise plans to clean up the site by next August, however WorkSafe is now using its powers to directly oversee waste chemical removal and disposal after the owner failed to comply. WorkSafe is assembling a taskforce, including the EPA, to clean up the site, with input from emergency services and Maribyrnong council. The operation involves the removal of seven to 15 thousand cubic metres of debris, including an estimated 7-10 million litres of residual chemicals. “Contractors will be engaged to manage the operation, and all demolition work will need to comply with construction and asbestos regulations,” WorkSafe said in a statement. “Security and air monitoring for asbestos are also in place.” A site clean-up and management plan is being devised to safely remove the toxic waste without harming workers, the community or the environment. The plan is drawing on the results of the EPA’s sampling of chemical drums that weren’t burnt in the fire, publicly released last week. Sampling conducted between May and June, and completed last month, found large amounts of hydrocarbons, alkanes, chlorinated hydrocarbons, phenols, pesticides, metals and solvents such as acetone. Volatile organic compounds were also discovered, along with compounds such as PFAS and PFOA. “A mix of over one hundred hazardous and industrial chemical substances were identified inside the drums,” the EPA said in a statement. “Sludge and water samples contained the same sorts of chemicals found in drum and waste samples showing concentrations of PFAS, PAHs and hydrocarbons.” The EPA has moved to assure residents that the remaining chemicals pose no health risk while still contained in the drums, defending the time taken to reveal the lengthy chemical list by arguing safety was a priority.