POLITICIANS of all persuasions have banded together to press for a
review of controversial plans for a 45-metre mountain of waste at a
Werribee landfill site.
In a move that Western Metropolitan Greens MP Colleen Hartland
says is a first for the western suburbs, state members for the Greens,
Labor and Liberal parties have prepared and signed a letter to all
Wyndham councillors, requesting a meeting to discuss the “high level of
community concern” surrounding the plans.
“These are concerns we share,” the letter states.
“It is important that Wyndham council take the views of the local community into account.”
Signed by Tarneit Labor MP Tim Pallas, Western Metropolitan
Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury and Ms Hartland, the letter follows a public
rally held in Werribee’s CBD on August 3. The rally was the culmination
of months of public backlash against plans to expand the above-ground
mound of waste at the Wests Road landfill site.
The council is seeking approval to expand the mound, which recently reached 26 metres above ground, to 45 metres.
“We all oppose this growing rubbish mountain,’’ Ms Hartland said.
‘‘Who in their right mind would be out there advocating for turning
Wyndham into Melbourne’s dumping ground?”
Mr Elsbury said the council’s expansion plans would be a “blight
on the community, and something we have to fight”. He said he had
organised two meetings to bring the issue to Environment Minister Ryan
Smith and Planning Minister Matthew Guy.
Mr Pallas said while landfills were an “unfortunate reality of
modern life”, the Werribee mound was excessive and the council had
denied the community any consultation or proper process.
The campaign against the plans has also been supported by federal ALP Lalor candidate Joanne Ryan.
Ms Hartland said the multi-party support was a credit to the community campaigners who had led the charge.
In response to community backlash, Wyndham chief executive Kerry
Thompson said the council had begun planning for a refuse disposal
facility “community reference group”, which would work with residents to
resolve any concerns.
FOLLOW THE STORY
Werribee’s smell stigma tipped to return
Landfill backlash at tipping point
Toxic mound in Wyndham to rise to 45 metres
Call to stop Werribee’s 45-metre mountain of trash
Ex-councillor Julian Menegazzo hits out
Green rubbishes Wyndham tip bid
