WYNDHAM Council has threatened to fine an ex-councillor who is protesting the expansion of a massive mound of waste at the Werribee landfill site.
Julian Menegazzo, who served on the council from 1981-85, received a contravention notice this month after putting up two signs on silos at his Browns Road property.
The signs are part of an escalating community campaign urging the council to scrap plans to expand the above-ground landfill, already towering 26 metres, at its Wests Road tip site.
The council is applying to the Environment Protection Authority to enlarge the mound to 45 metres, the height of a 12-storey building. According to council plans, it could eventually tower up to 100 metres.
The letter states that if Mr Menegazzo does not remove the signs he could be fined more than $700, and up to $169,000 if the matter is taken to court.
Mr Menegazzo (pictured with wife Connie) said the threat was insulting.
“This is a community campaign, and for them to individualise it like this, it feels nasty, and it’s offensive. I’ve now put up a third sign, I’ve sent the letter to my solicitors and we’re waiting for any further action – we’re not going to be pushed around.”
He said the signs were designed to raise awareness of the negative stigma the waste mound would reinforce about Werribee.
“What’s there at the moment is a pimple compared to what they’re planning, and it’s going to let everyone on the freeway know that we take the waste, that’s Werribee’s function. It’s a bad image for our community.”
Wyndham CEO Kerry Thompson said the council respected the public’s right to object to the plans but stressed the tip site adhered to strict EPA landfill requirements.
She said the notice was issued because Mr Menegazzo erected the sign without a permit. The council’s 2013-14 draft budget has earmarked $1 million to build a new landfill cell at the tip.
