RATWISE members, from left, Geraldine Gonsalvez, Bernadette Barker, Anthony Barker, Marjorie Gipp, Thelma Wakelam, Robert Gipp and Ray Tormey at the site of the Taylors Road Landfill
By Bridget Cook and Nicole Williams
THE City of Casey is set to call on the State Government to introduce a one kilometre buffer zone around the Lyndhurst landfill – a move supported by a local action group.
At a Casey council meeting on Tuesday 7 February, Councillor Amanda Stapledon moved a motion to write to the Minister for Planning Matthew Guy requesting that a one kilometre buffer be established around the Taylors Road Landfill.
Land within the buffer area would be subject to obtaining a planning permit for sensitive uses, including food industries, children’s services and residential development, under the proposed amendment.
It also stated that the amendment be prepared in consultation with the City of Greater Dandenong.
A C125 planning scheme amendment to rezone the Lyndhurst tip from a Farming Zone to Industrial 1 Zone was approved by the EPA last month, which will allow toxic soil to be treated at the site.
Cr Stapledon said while she acknowledged that the majority of the facility and the buffer zone would fall on Greater Dandenong land, the council must remain mindful that Casey residents live nearby and some also worked in the industrial estate that butts up to the landfill.
“With the proposed C125 Planning Scheme Amendment at Taylors Road Landfill and with the knowledge that no buffer exists alongside this facility with factories residing directly on the boundary one business being a bakery, it is imperative that a reverse offsite buffers is applied as soon as is absolutely possible,” she said.
“It is important that local residents and businesses are assured that we as a council are taking the necessary steps to alleviate any concerns that may exist and take responsible action by making this request to the State Government.”
Residents Against Toxic Waste in the South East (RATWISE) president Thelma Wakelam applauded Casey’s initiative, but said there were a number of concerns with the proposal.
“It is excellent and RATWISE is very pleased with their direction,” she said.
“The councils will need to work together to assist Casey to come up with a workable motion.”
Ms Wakelam said RATWISE was concerned with how the buffer zone would be implemented and how to safeguard the policy against abuse.
“We have questions about the implementation – will it be retrospective?” she said.
“And will the council take into consideration the recommendation of a two-kilometre buffer by the Hazard Waste Site Committee?”
Ms Wakelam said the C125 planning scheme amendment meant time to act was short and both councils needed to move quickly.
“Now is the time for them to push very hard,” she said.
“And we are urging people to act now towards a revocation of the planning scheme amendment by contacting their local Member for Parliament.”
For more details, contact Thelma Wakelam on 0414 998 337 or visit www.facebook.com/RATWISE.
The State Government did not respond to queries before deadline.
