Gas levels force landfill works

By Sarah Schwager
A PROBLEMATIC Cranbourne landfill is to undergo further works after higher-than-expected levels of gas were detected.
The Stevensons Road landfill has been rife with problems and complaints from residents since it closed in June 2005, with extensive restoration works undertaken by Casey Council.
These include placing a thick clay layer over the top to cap the site and the installation of gas wells to capture gases under the cap.
Last July, neighbouring residents complained that odours from the tip, which will eventually be turned into a park, were trapping people in their homes.
Last year Gordon Exner, president of the Brookland Greens Residents Group, said the smell had been an issue since the estate opened.
Mr Exner said that on a still night it was unbearable and earthworks to build houses on the edge of the estate nearest the landfill were making the problem worse.
“It’s so bad, you can’t go outside,” he said.
“A lot of residents are confined to their houses, particularly the older ones who have breathing difficulties.”
Mr Exner said recently the odours had improved as the wind was blowing away from the Brookland Greens estate, making the problem worse for residents on the Stevensons Road side of the tip.
Sladen Park Residents Action Group member Ken Leemon said he was not surprised that further works were being undertaken.
He said a senior council employee had forewarned 15 years ago that there could be problems with gas emissions at the landfill or even an explosion if it continued operation.
Casey mayor Colin Butler said recent monitoring of the landfill had shown very high levels of gas, including some small pockets outside the site.
“As these gases may pose a risk if they accumulate in enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces, council has taken immediate action to address the possibility of further gas escaping from the site,” he said.
In conjunction with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and other environmental experts, council has arranged for the installation of additional gas wells and the construction of a barrier trench on the northern boundary of the site to stop any leakage of gas.
Works have commenced on the barrier trench and gas wells will be installed from 19 March.
Works are expected to take a few weeks and during the initial phase, nearby residents may notice some odours.
The City of Casey has written to residents in the immediate vicinity of the landfill site to notify them of the situation.
Council will also hold an information evening at 7pm on Monday, 19 March at the VFL Pavilion Casey Fields, Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East.
If residents have any questions about the Cranbourne landfill contact John Dodson at the City of Casey on 9705 5200.