Wyndham council has been given the tick of approval for its controversial tip mountain.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) ruled last week that the council could build its landfill at the Werribee refuse disposal facility to a height of 24 metres.
The EPA said in a statement that it had assessed the height of the tip on an environmental-risk basis and found that it was safe. “We had 670 community submissions and held community meetings to canvass local concern, which was primarily regarding the height of the cell,” the statement read.
“EPA has assessed that the application met the requirements of the act, waste management policies and state environment protection policies (SEPPs). The application also met the requirement of the Waste Management Policy.”
Western Region Environment Centre director Harry van Moorst told
Star Weekly he was disappointed by the EPA’s decision. “We are really angry that they only judged it on an environmental risk basis because we have a letter from the EPA stating that they will look at the issue of height as a visual amenity and listen to the community’s concerns.
“Not only have they set a precedent for all the other cells at Werribee, they have set a precedent for the height of cells anywhere else.”
Mr van Moorst said he believed it was not too late for the council to reduce the height of the tip, and his group would be challenging the EPA’s decision.
“We think it’s outrageous and we’re going to do whatever we can to make sure this doesn’t happen,” he said.
“This is a battle that we’ve lost but a war that we’re going to win.”
THE STORY SO FAR
Wyndham council denies landfill allegation
Landfill mountain gets tribunal green light
VCAT ruling raises ‘no appeal’ fears
Council under gun for tip response
Group battles plans for ‘waste mountain’
Toxic mound to rise to 45 metres
