By Violet Li
The community is set to expect a parliamentary debate on the proposed Hampton Park Waste Transfer Station in weeks ahead after a local MP tabled two petitions in parliament last week.
Opposition MP for South-Eastern Metropolitan Region Ann-Marie Hermans tabled two petitions in parliament on 18 and 19 February to stop the construction of the proposed Hampton Park waste transfer station.
Two petitions with more than 4000 signatures requested that the State Government overturn the planning approval of the proposed waste transfer station and reject a separate development licence application that is being assessed by Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria. The petitions also asked the State Government to investigate the processes that led to the planning permit application being approved by the City of Casey.
Ms Hermans said an ensuing parliamentary debate would be in around April or May as there were several other petitions qualified for debate ahead of hers.
She said as a local woman, she had tremendous empathy for people living in the area.
“I’ve got friends that also live in the area, and it’s just appalling to think that in a first-world country like Australia, we can have a waste transfer system built so close to residential areas without even having an understanding, not just of the environmental impact, but also what is this going to do to these residential homes and people and their families,” she said.
“What are the health risks for everybody?
“And this is untried. It’s unheard of in first-world countries.”
Ms Hermans said the locals were getting stonewalled.
“It’s really important that the people are heard and that their concerns are heard,” she said.
When inquired, Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas said the landfill and waste transfer station were being taken advantage of for political purposes during State, Federal and Council elections.
“This has resulted in some candidates making promises to close the landfill immediately and stop the waste transfer station. These are false promises that I will not make. I have always worked in the best interests of my constituents,” he said.
“There are contracts in place for our waste to be processed at the site. The State Government’s recycling plan and the waste transfer station are essential parts of a circular economy to tackle climate change for all Victorians, now and into the future.
“The waste transfer station is a part of that overarching plan with the council following the planning process for the site, and the EPA is responsible for the oversight of the operations.
”If there are issues with the waste transfer station, then let’s look at the design and other issues to reduce any impacts to the nearby community.”
He said when the operator Veolia had breached conditions of its licence, then they should be properly held to account by the regulator, the EPA.
“Indeed, the EPA has recently initiated proceedings against Veolia regarding alleged breaches at the site,” he said.
Mr Maas said he would continue to work with residents on how the Hallam Road Landfill and the waste transfer station were run and operated to reduce impacts on affected residents.
