The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria has granted the operator of Kealba landfill, Barro Group, an extension to 19 March to demonstrate why its licence should not be suspended.
It is the second time the EPA has granted the extension, citing it was doing so “to allow procedural fairness in this complex matter”.
On 5 December last year, the EPA announced its intention to suspend Barro’s licence to operate at the entirety of the site – where underground fires have been burning for six years – saying it “does not believe Barro has the systems in place to manage the risks from their operations to keep the community safe”.
Since 2019, nearby residents have been significantly impacted by noxious odours from the four hotspots, three of which have now been extinguished.
According to the EPA, the last inspection of the landfill occurred on Thursday 19 February with no odour detected onsite.
From the recent inspection, the EPA also noted progress has been made on implementing the environmental audit recommendations, with onsite remediation and management continuing in line with the EPA notice.
The announcement to suspend Barro’s licence last December came as the EPA informed the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal it could no longer defend the revocation of Barro’s previous operating licence, which was based on hotspot remediation only.
The EPA said it was holding Barro to account with new and broader regulatory actions.
Residents and local politicians protested in response, saying the EPA should do more.
At the time, Brimbank mayor Virginia Tachos said the community would like Barro to be shut down completely.
“Suspension still allows for appeal. If the laws aren’t working, change the laws because our community is suffering,” she said.
The same month, St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman launched a community petition to oppose Barro Group recommencing any form of operations at Kealba Landfill.
“I am fighting hard to ensure that the gates at the landfill are kept locked and look forward to continuing to fight for our community”, Ms Suleyman said.
Barro cannot currently accept waste or operate the landfill until the remaining hotspot is extinguished, following an EPA prohibition notice issued on 1 December last year.
