Toxic waste land

By Glen Atwell
TOXIC waste is once again on its way to Lyndhurst.
The Greater Dandenong Planning Scheme was yesterday amended to reflect a VCAT decision that gives the green light for the continual dumping of hazardous waste at the Lyndhurst tip.
The ruling essentially removed a planning permit condition that prevented toxic waste from being dumped at the site.
Residents Against Toxic Waste In The South East (RATWISE) members are outraged at the decision.
Spokeswoman Geraldine Gonsalvez said the decision condemned residents in the south-east to a life sentence of toxic waste being dumped at their doorsteps.
“We’ve been fighting and opposing the dumping of toxic waste in Lyndhurst for 15 years,” she said.
“We live in the major growth corridor of Melbourne, yet for the next 30 years dangerous toxic waste will continue to be dumped in our backyards.”
VCAT said the need to dispose of industrial waste would remain for the foreseeable future and the Lyndhurst facility was essential to satisfying that safely need.
Minister for Planning Justin Madden said the council and community had exercised their legal rights to have the matter reviewed but the independent umpire had reinforced the Government’s view that Lyndhurst was safe and should continue to receive industrial waste.
“This site is of state significance in the management of prescribed industrial waste in Victoria,” Mr Madden said.
“Ultimately, we are aiming to remove these wastes from landfill altogether but in the meantime the Government will rely on the Lyndhurst site for safe management and disposal until 2020.”
RATWISE said Lyndhurst and the City of Greater Dandenong were not given the same treatment as other communities.
“Local residents should be alarmed,” Ms Gonsalvez said.
“Many years and millions of dollars have been spent trying to have this dump relocated.”