Aldi has pulled 1L cartons of its exclusive Farmdale Full Cream Long Life Milk from shelves because of microbial contamination. The milk has a best before date of June 5, 2027, and was sold in stores and online in Victoria and South Australia. Food Standards Australia New Zealand warned that spoiled food may cause illness or injury if eaten. Customers should not consume the product and can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Anyone concerned about their health should seek medical advice.
The WA Planning Commission has voted to lift planning restrictions on land in Clarkson, despite the Department of Health opposing the move over its closeness to the Tamala Park landfill. Part of the 1810 square metre site sits within the tip's 500 metre buffer zone. Planning officers said contamination risks were manageable and acceptable, and that the buffer may no longer apply once homes are built, as the landfill is scheduled to close in 2029. The City of Wanneroo supported the rezoning with conditions, including that future buyers be told of the site's history and risks.
Maribyrnong councillors have voted unanimously to object to a plan for 232 townhouses at the former Australian Defence Industries site on Gordon Street. The vote overruled a draft council submission that had supported the developer, Orion West. Councillors cited community opposition, contamination risks from the old landfill, the loss of wildlife habitat and a lack of affordable homes. Orion West declined to comment. Council's submission will now be amended.
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Maribyrnong council has indicated support for a 232-townhouse development on former defence land in Melbourne's west, reversing its 2019 rejection. Developer Orion West lodged the proposal with the Department of Transport and Planning. The draft council submission cites efforts to address earlier contamination and access concerns, and says the application makes a significant contribution to housing. The submission has not been endorsed and could change. Nearby residents remain opposed, citing toxic risks, and David Glenny argued the site should be kept as public open space.
Residents of Longyearbyen, a village in Norway's Svalbard archipelago, have been told not to drink tap water due to heavy metal contamination linked to thawing permafrost. The contamination, including manganese, sulphate, and nickel, exceeds safe levels and is caused by the oxidation of pyrite in the bedrock. The mayor has commissioned an investigation and is considering expensive solutions like filtration systems or a desalination plant.
US chemical company 3M has outlined how it will fight the federal government's $2 billion lawsuit over PFAS contamination at 28 Defence Force bases. The Commonwealth alleges 3M hid evidence that its firefighting foam was toxic, a claim the company disputes. At a Federal Court case management hearing, 3M's barrister Phillip Solomon KC said the defence would challenge the case, including the public nuisance claim. The Commonwealth has proposed six representative bases for the case, but 3M wants to focus on one. Another hearing has been set for December 1.
Alpine Shire Council is urging residents to put the right items in the right bins. Audits have found higher rates of contamination in yellow-lidded recycling bins, and another audit is due in October. When non-recyclable items end up in these bins, the council pays a significant penalty fee, which is passed on to residents and ratepayers through waste charges. Items such as clothing, e-waste, appliances, timber and waxed cardboard cannot go in the yellow bin. Soft plastics can be recycled when bagged in orange bags, available from council offices and libraries in Bright, Mount Beauty and Myrtleford.
Central Coast Council is seeking targeted investigations of Ourimbah Creek and Mardi Dam for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS. The council will formally request that the NSW Environment Protection Authority carry out the work.
Monash Council has restated its long-standing concerns about redeveloping the former Talbot Quarry and Landfill site in Oakleigh South. Mayor Stuart James said the council supports housing there if the land can be made safe and environmental issues are properly managed. He said the rezoning amendment has not settled long-term arrangements for contamination, landfill gas and ground conditions, and that these should be resolved before rezoning and before any development is approved. Council rejected claims that it had delayed the project, pointing to an earlier proposal an independent panel did not support.
