Stink over ban

By Bridget Cook
A LOCAL mini-skip operator fears some businesses are in jeopardy, as the Cemetery Road Cranbourne waste transfer station is set to stop accepting non-recyclable material next month.
Following months of rallying from local residents about the stench coming from the site, the council has told the site operators, Consolidated Waste, that they will have to stop accepting non-recycle material from 4 April.
But Ian Barker, who runs a mini-skip business in Casey, said that while the decision would make residents happy, local businesses would suffer.
“I’m not doing this just because of my business, I’m bigger than that,” he said.
“I won’t be able to take a tip trailer of rubbish there anymore, and that goes for myself as well as other businesses and local residents who rely on the transfer station.
“People will have to take the rubbish now to the transfer station in Hallam.
Mr Barker said the Hallam site charged about $240 for a minimum two-tonne trailer of rubbish. The Cemetery Road site charges about half of that.
Mr Barker said he believed it would affect businesses as well as local residents who wanted to do a clean-up at their home and then wouldn’t be able to take it there.
“I understand that the residents are upset, but when you buy a house you should be aware of what’s around you,” he said.
“If you don’t like to live 500 metres from a tip, then don’t live there.”
Four petitions have been tabled at council meetings over the past months about the smell coming from the tip.
Councillor Geoff Ablett, who has been supporting local residents, said while it may inconvenience some people that non-recyclables would not be accepted, it was the right thing by those residents affected by the odour.
“I do apologise to those who will now have to take their rubbish to the Hallam site, it is an inconvenience,” Cr Ablett said.
“But those people should try and live in the vicinity of the smell and they would understand.
“The local residents have had to put up with the smell for five or six years now.”
A public meeting will be held on 4 April at the Balla Balla Centre were residents can discuss the issues and provide feedback.
Mr Barker said he would attend the meeting to voice his opinion.