Sibanengi Dube
Brimbank council mayor Bruce Lancashire has expressed disappointment over Barro Group’s decision to contest the cancellation of its licence to operate the Sunshine Landfill in Kealba at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Cr Lancashire slammed the Barro Group for focusing on accepting more landfill at the expense of quenching the fires.
“The focus should be on extinguishing these fires – not accepting more landfill,” complained Cr Lancashire.
The landfill has been emitting foul smelling smoke from multiple hot spots for the past three years drawing rage from Kealba and St Albans residents.
Adds Cr Lancashire: “We cannot fathom the idea that Barro Group’s licence to continue to accept landfill at the site could be reinstated.”
The mayor lamented the noxious odours which the nearby residents have been exposed to for three years by the landfill.
The council’s joy over the cancellation of Barro Group’s licence turned out to be short-lived after the company filed a court application asking for a stay on the decision to cancel its permit.
Cr Lancashire said Brimbank council has been advocating for better waste management at the Sunshine Landfill for a long time.
“In January, council welcomed the EPA Victoria announcement that the Barro Group licence to operate the landfill – also known as the Kealba Landfill – had been cancelled. The cancellation means they cannot accept any more waste at the landfill.
“A lot of work has gone into advocating for this change by Brimbank Council and concerned citizens, including those most impacted who live near the site.”
