Opponents of plans to expand Werribee’s tip have written to the state government, urging it to change its landfill policy.
In a letter to Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh, the Western Region Environment Centre (WREC) has asked for the government to consider ways to ensure the Wests Road landfill is not turned into a large “waste mountain”.
The group said it was concerned about the way Wyndham council was handling the tip’s expansion and wanted it kept to ground level.
The council is in the process of seeking Environment Protection Authority approval to expand cell 4C at the tip to 24 metres above ground.
The EPA has granted approval for cells 4A and 4B to be built to the same height.
The decision has been heavily criticised in the community, with the council admitting it failed to properly consult with residents and that it incorrectly granted itself permission to build the tip to 65 metres and 120 metres above the ground in 2010 and 2012.
The WREC also raised concerns about the make-up of a new community consultation group for the tip.
As reported by the Weekly, the group will have five community representatives, four council representatives and three state government representatives.
“The composition of the reference group is one-sided and weighted in favour of the council and against the community,” the WREC’s letter stated.
Mr Walsh said any future expansion of the landfill would need EPA approval.
He said the council was doing the right thing by establishing the community reference group to keep residents informed of its future plans for the site.
