Labor is putting our health at risk in the inner west.
The Port of Melbourne wants to store hazardous chemicals closer to our homes in Footscray and Yarraville. And it looks like the Labor State Government might let them.
As part of the proposed expansion of the Port of Melbourne:
🔴 The Port wants to move their storage of some hazardous chemicals closer to Yarraville Gardens – putting more of Footscray and Yarraville within the ‘buffer zone’ that could be exposed to dangerous substances, potentially putting residents at risk.
🚛 20,000 more trucks a day are forecast to visit the port – worsening local air pollution, congestion and noise. Labor have failed to move freight onto rail to get trucks off our local streets. We need ultra-low emissions zones to reduce emissions from trucks using our local roads every day.
🌫️ The state Labor Government is also refusing to add filters to the exhaust stacks of the West Gate Tunnel. This means the tunnel will pump out tonnes of toxic pollution into our local area.
The inner west already has some of the worst air pollution in Australia – and the world rates of childhood asthma. And now Labor sitting on their hands as this health crisis is set to get worse.
Our vibrant communities of the inner west deserve better – that's why we're starting a petition demanding the state Labor Government implement solutions – not more pollution. Add your name today, every signature counts!
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PETITION to the Premier of Victoria
CC: Minister for Freight and Ports Melissa Horne
CC: Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
As a resident of the inner west, I’m dismayed to hear that Labor is failing to shift freight onto rail as planned, meaning we’ll see even more trucks on our roads as part of the Port of Melbourne expansion.
Adding to this, the Port of Melbourne also wants to move the storage of hazardous liquids, such crude oil, petrol and other chemicals, closer to our homes. All of Footscray and Yarraville will fall within the ‘buffer zone’ that may be exposed to these dangerous substances.
This is a health emergency for our communities. The west already has some of the worst air pollution in the country and the highest childhood asthma rates. We can’t afford for this to get worse.
We want to live in safe and healthy neighbourhoods, with clean air and fewer dangerous trucks on our streets. That is the bare minimum of what residents in the inner west deserve.
We demand the Labor Government take action and protect our health, clean our air and stop taking our communities for granted.