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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Elias Visontay Transport and urban affairs reporter

Council in Melbourne declares health emergency, claiming truck pollution is linked to high rates of illness

Melbourne Pollution Melissa Horne Sarah Carter Maribyrnong
Adolescent asthma rates in the City of Maribyrnong in in Melbourne’s inner western suburbs are 50% higher than the state average, and the hospital admission rate is 70% higher than the Australian average for those aged between three and 19.
Adolescent asthma rates in the City of Maribyrnong in in Melbourne’s inner western suburbs are 50% higher than the state average, and the hospital admission rate is 70% higher than the Australian average for those aged between three and 19. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

A “health emergency” has been declared by a Melbourne council, which claims residents are suffering above-average rates of hospitalisations for certain conditions partly due to a surge in road trains on its suburban streets.

Maribyrnong city council, which takes in Footscray in the city’s inner western suburbs, announced the declaration on Wednesday, claiming rates of illness in the municipality due to pollution “considerably exceed the Australian average”.

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