Coode Fire Commemorated
By Ray Fulcher
MELBOURNE — On August 21, local residents of Melbourne's inner west joined with environment activists to release balloons carrying tags for return to the Hazardous Materials Action Group at Coode Island chemical storage facility.
The balloons were part of a commemorative action to highlight the continuing threat posed by the chemicals stored at the facility. The wind carried the balloons north-east over the heart of Melbourne just as on August 21 and 22, 1991, it carried a thick toxic plume from the fires then burning out of control in the facility's chemical storage silos.
Prior to the fires, there had been no safety inspection of the site for two years. The Port of Melbourne Authority, which has responsibility for the area, said there was no danger from Coode Island and that HAZMAG was being hysterical in raising concerns — that was one week before explosions in the storage tanks caused a massive fire and the release of unknown (to the public) quantities of toxic chemicals.
Since the fire there have been only three inspections, whereas normal standards would require eight, according to HAZMAG activist Colleen Hartland, who addressed the picket.
Mark Taylor, from the Victorian Trades Hall Council, said that the cost of moving the facility, as opposed to keeping it where it is, was being measured only in dollar terms by the government. "But the cost is in the impact on the health of workers and residents", he said. He called for reactivation of the coalition between unions and the community on the issue.