Brimbank council will fight the proposed expansion of the Ravenhall landfill, saying the west “has been dumped on enough”.
The Environment Protection Authority last month granted works approval for a 96-hectare expansion to the southern portion of the landfill site.
Brimbank mayor John Hedditch last week said the council had lodged an application with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to review the decision.
“Our community is being dumped on and the underlying attitude simply stinks,” he said.
“We’re calling on the state government to do the right thing and reject any plan to extend a rubbish tip that already has a heap of existing problems.
“We are appalled that EPA Victoria recently granted a works approval for this huge expansion.
“Council has serious concerns regarding the proposed expansion … because of the potential risks this poses to the health and wellbeing of the people of Brimbank and Melton.”
Council said it received numerous complaints about dust, odour, vermin and birds associated with the landfill, which is about 1.5 kilometres from residential properties in Derrimut and Deer Park.
The council is urging the state government to consider more modern ways of waste disposal rather than expanding the landfill.
“It is hard to believe that the Victorian government would enable old-fashioned waste disposal, which hasn’t altered since the 1950s, and is inconsistent with contemporary international standards,” Mr Hedditch said.
“We believe Victoria needs to look to the future and find innovative sustainable alternatives.”
Council’s decision to appeal to VCAT received applause from the public gallery at last week’s council meeting, where several councillors spoke passionately in support of the motion.
Melton council has lodged its own appeal against the proposed expansion with VCAT.
While the EPA has granted works approval, planning approval for the landfill expansion is still before Planning Minister Richard Wynne.
