FLATS AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Evening Star, Issue 22136, 17 September 1935, Page 2

FLATS AND PUBLIC HEALTH

A Melbourne suburban council recently objected to the designs for four sets of Hats on the "round that they wore badly designed and would, if constructed to the plans submitted, contain features that would not be in fhe best interests of public health. It was further decided to ask the Minister for Local Government to expedite the issue of new ordinances, or, if necessary, an amendment of the Local Government Act, to give councils additional powers to control and regulate the erection of private incinerators in Hats. It has been asserted in letters to the'council that flues from incinerators give off noxious fumes which are a nuisance to residents in adjoining premises. The council insists that flues from incinerators in any flat building must project at least one foot over the highest part of the building. In some cases, owing to the contour of the site, this means that the flue is level with the ground floor of a building, on higher ground. The council has further decided, as a matter of policy, not to permit common chutes for garbage to be installed in flat buildings, on the ground' that these are generally unhealthy and insanitary. The council is now asking for additional powers to prevent the carrying of garbage through a common hall when being collected by the refuse carts. Generally, the council claims that its powers ,of dealing with the erection of flats are inadequate and unsatisfactory, hut it is expected that the erection of flats will be dealt with on a comprehensive basis at an early date.