By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A SOIL business in Hallam’s industrial estate says a local dirt road could be the cause of the dust swarms plaguing nearby residents.
Frank Forino, of Supreme Organic Soils (SOS), says his soil doesn’t fit the description of the rich brown and red dirt that has beset people, homes and cars on the south side of Hallam Creek.
His soil is “Dandy loam” – sourced from Keysborough – and mixed with horse manure and straw into a compost.
“There’s not a bit of red in my soil,” Mr Forino said.
“It sounds like there’s a bit of bark in it. That’s definitely not from us.”
Star News broke the plight of residents at Glenora Way and Rowland Close, Hampton Park, online on 9 December.
The following day, Casey sprayed dust suppressant on the unsealed O’Grady Road, Mr Forino said.
SOS was inspected by Casey Council and Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) on 12 December.
Mr Forino said neighbouring soil and mulch enterprises were also expected to be checked.
“We just have to go through the right authorities and wait for their report.”
The EPA issued a Pollution Abatement Notice to SOS in 2015, requiring the business to purchase a water tanker to dampen its large mounds of soil.
Mr Forino said his council permit to operate in the heavy industrial zone was “correct”.
Mr Forino said the residents’ situation was unfortunate, but he’d done his best to suppress his dust.
“This resident has had trouble for two or three years. We’ve been there for 20.
“Those houses that are across the gully are a long way from where we are.”
Residents say they have complained often to authorities about the dust, which may be causing their intensifying eye irritations, coughing, sneezing, hay-fever, severe skin hives and asthma attacks.
They say it has got worse since the mounds of soil and mulch have grown on O’Grady Road over the past few years.
