By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
GREATER Dandenong Council will continue to lobby for Lyndhurst toxic waste dump’s closure despite a rebuff from the state government.
Mayor Jim Memeti, who wrote to state Environment Minister Ryan Smith on the issue, said he was disappointed by the reply.
He said Mr Smith had made no commitment to closing the landfill nor developing a policy for managing hazardous or prescribed waste.
“Since the time the Liberals have been in government, there’s been no other option for a toxic waste site,” Cr Memeti said.
“We need to know where the next option is going to be. It’s very important for our residents living near Lyndhurst landfill.”
Carrum Liberal MP Donna Bauer confirmed there were “no plans” to move prescribed waste to another site “which is consistent with Labor’s previously stated position”.
She said the tip was “important infrastructure for managing Victoria’s waste”.
“Odour has clearly become an increased concern due to residential encroachment resulting from years of local planning decisions.
“However the site is subject to strict and ongoing monitoring and assessment by the EPA as well as regular independent environmental audits.”
Sonya Kilkenny, the ALP’s candidate for Carrum, did not respond to the Journal’s inquiries.
In his letter to Greater Dandenong Council, Mr Smith stated there was a “significant reduction” in prescribed industrial waste deposited at the landfill in the past five years – 49 per cent less category B waste and 80 per cent less category B soil.
The government had invested more than $25 million on technologies and innovations to reduce the production of prescribed industrial waste.
In March, the council – at the behest of Cr Memeti – had resolved to write to major parties and nearby state election candidates to state what action and timeline they’ll pursue for the prescribed waste facility’s closure.
Cr Memeti organised for a petition by Residents Against Toxic Waste in the South East to be placed at the council’s customer service centres.
The petition calls for the government to develop a prescribed hazardous waste policy and cease using Lyndhurst as a toxic waste dump.
RATWISE spokeswoman Thelma Wakelam said her group was lobbying candidates ahead of November’s state election.
“If they’re looking to get a prescribed waste policy together, they’ll need to look at how the Lyndhurst landfill operates or even if it’s in the correct location, near where people live and work.
“It’s another way of angling in on its closure.”
