Recycle plant told to close

DANDENONG residents living next to a recycling plant say they are relieved Greater Dandenong council has rejected a permit to allow the plant to continue operations.
But they say they are outraged the vote at Monday’s council meeting almost swayed towards allowing the plant to stay in a nail-biting six to five decision.
The residents attended the meeting which was full of debate over whether the recycling plant should stay or go.
Sancon Recycling had requested a permit to continue operations at 1/1368 Heatherton Road, and 224 and 240-248 Princes Highway, Dandenong.
The officers’ report recommended the council refuse to grant the permit on several grounds including noise, odour and emission issues facing neighbouring residents.
The report summary also notes that Sancon had been operating without a permit since October 2005.
Noble Park North Ward councillor Maria Sampey was opposed to the recommendation and said the plant should have stayed.
“The smells are coming from elsewhere including an exposed drain,” she said.
“The plant has only been there a short time.”
Lyndale Ward councillor Sue Walton was also opposed to the recommendation. “Why has no one else (in the street) come forward other than two objectors?” she asked.
But the residents – many who wished to remain anonymous – said the permit application wasn’t brought to their attention to allow for more objections.
Keysborough Ward councillor Roz Blades asked her colleagues ‘would you live there?’ with the noise, odour and emissions. “I know I wouldn’t,” she said.
A vote saw councillors Blades, Gordon, Yesil, Herring and Brown support the recommendation to refuse a permit, while councillors Donovan, Memeti, Sampey, Chea and Walton were opposed to the recommendation.
Greater Dandenong mayor Peter Brown said he was surprised to see such a close vote given the activity by residents.
One resident, Audrey Goldburg, approached councillors Sampey and Walton following the meeting and told them she was disappointed in their stance on the matter.