Brimbank council has urged the state government to spend more on environmental improvements in the area, claiming its sustainability fund is not “achieving its intended purpose”.
The fund is built from a government landfill levy.
The council has called for levy income to be spent more quickly and effectively in light of concerns the west had been used as a dumping ground for the city’s waste.
The Municipal Association of Victoria estimates the sustainability fund has amassed half a billion dollars since being set up in 2005, with more than $240million spent on waste management, recycling and sustainability projects put forward by businesses, councils and communities across Victoria.
“Monies collected through the sustainability fund … have not been reinvested back into the community,” a council report stated.
“Council is disappointed that funds … have not been directed towards … progressing meaningful environmental action.”
The council estimated it had contributed $10.2 million in the past four years, and said it had had little return. It urged significant investment in “new technology and best practice in Melbourne’s north and west”.
Council chairman of administrators John Watson said “legacy issues” needed to be addressed. “The west has been the dumping ground of Melbourne,” he said.
