Brimbank council has extended the Boral Recycling company’s current landfill services deed for a further two years.
Brimbank council infrastructure and environment director Paul Younis said at last week’s council meeting that Boral had met all criteria under the council’s procurement policy.
The estimated yearly contract for the disposal of about 53,000 tonnes of waste from Brimbank is tipped to be worth $5.6 million.
Deer Park resident and former Brimbank councillor Marion Martin said she was disappointed in the council administrators’ decision.
“They don’t live here so it doesn’t worry them,” she said.
“That’s why we’d be better off with councillors; at least they’re from the area so they understand what the impact is.”
Ms Martin believes the state government should be encouraging companies to find alternative ways to dispose of rubbish.
“If we have to pay extra, so be it. We shouldn’t have to live like a Third World country with these intolerable smells wafting through constantly,” she said.
“I can’t believe they’re continuing to do this in the middle of a growth corridor.”
Former Brimbank mayor Margaret Giudice said she wasn’t surprised the contract had been renewed.
“What the community is even more interested in is its possible expansion. We are all completely against it.”
Boral put forward a proposal in May to expand the landfill site at Ravenhall by 179 million cubic metres.
The Melton council received more than 6600 written objections to that proposal.
Boral waste solutions general manager Richard McCarthy confirmed Boral would lodge a new application later this year to extend the landfill.
“[We] look forward to continuing to work with the community to develop this essential infrastructure and we welcome any further opportunities for genuine community engagement,” Mr McCarthy said.
With only one month to go before the year closes, it’s likely Boral will lodge its new application by February next year.
“It’s just hanging over our heads. People are trying to sell their properties and move elsewhere in case it goes through,” Mrs Martin said.
“[Boral] were trying to push for it to happen before Christmas, but I think they’ve realised it’s not going to happen. It’s unfair to spring that kind of thing on the community at the busiest time of year.”
