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Environmental actions and improvements
Adelaide Brighton Cement (ABC) at Birkenhead, which manufactures cement and lime used in construction and mining, is situated close to residential housing, posing a challenge in managing its operations to minimise the impact on nearby residents.
In the past, the EPA experienced a history of complaints from the community regarding dust, noise and vibration issues from the operations. However, in recent years, ABC has made significant improvements to its operations, as well as strengthening its relationship with the local community.
The Adelaide Brighton Cement Community Liaison Group was formed to provide an interface for all parties to identify and address issues of environmental concern. Membership of this liaison group includes representatives from the local council, residents, ABC and the EPA. They are involved in reviewing EPA monitoring data and provide input into decision making around appropriate mitigation measures ABC is required to undertake as part of its EPA licence and Environment Improvement Program (EIP).
ABC currently holds an EPA licence for:
- cement works
- activities producing listed waste
- bulk shipping facilities
- crushing, grinding or milling of rock, ores and minerals
- fuel burning.
During 2011–12, the company’s licence was reviewed and changes were made to several licence conditions. In addition to changes made to the company’s licence a new EIP was developed, submitted to the EPA and subsequently approved on the 3 January 2012. This process included significant input from members of the community liaison group.
The aim of the new EIP is to further reduce ambient dust and noise emissions from the plant so as to reduce any adverse environmental impacts to near-by properties. Listed below are some of the environmental improvements which have been achieved since the implementation of ABC’s 2012 EIP.
| Dust emissions | Noise emissions |
| Plan to install additional truck wash facility for heavy vehicles leaving the plant. | Noise monitoring and modelling undertaken |
| Dust suppressants used on stockpiles | Redevelopment of some areas of the plant to improve noise attenuation |
| Stockpile management improvements and stockpile numbers reduced | |
| Removal of additive material stockpiles | |
| Planting and screening involving over 300 plants | |
| Installation of rapid rise doors on sheds | |
| Installation of two further dust monitors to pinpoint where further dust reduction is necessary, 4 existing at present |
The EPA is working with ABC and the community liaison group to review the effectiveness of mitigation measures to date.
Although ABC is one of a number of contributors to local air quality, the EPA’s air monitoring data from both Le Fevre and Netley indicate that state-wide environmental events are also strong drivers of air particulate levels.
Last modified: 04/02/2013 10:09 am
