Werribee’s Wests Road landfill can be built to 24 metres above ground after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal approved an amendment to the site’s planning permit.
The council applied to VCAT to amend the permit after discovering that amendments made in 2010 and 2012 were not properly advertised and were unnecessary because the original permit did not specify a height.
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The council already has Environment Protection Authority approval for two cells, 4A and 4B, to be built to 24 metres above ground.
VCAT’s decision came despite objections from landowners in Werribee’s west and the Western Region Environment Centre, who were concerned a taller waste mound would cause odour and pollution problems, and affect house prices.
Council chief executive Kerry Thompson said VCAT’s decision provided certainty for the council and community.
“The priority is now to work with the [refuse disposal facility] community reference group regarding the master plan for the site and continue with works to improve the overall amenity of the facility,” she said.
Landowner Julian Menegazzo, who objected to the amendments at VCAT, said residents were disappointed by the decision but had withdrawn their objection, fearing the tribunal hearing would cost them $250,000 if they lost.
“If we lost, we knew that council was very likely going to demand costs against us,” he said.
Western Region Environment Centre director Harry van Moorst said the community would keep pressuring the council to lower the tip to ground level, despite VCAT’s decision.
