The Deer Park tip has “potential to expand all activities onsite”, according to a state government report. The report comes as the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) shuts down its air quality monitoring station in the area.
The expansion potential of the Melbourne regional landfill was identified in the Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan, released this month to guide waste and resource recovery over the next 30 years.
“Urban encroachment and balancing community expectations in relation to the operation of the site is a future risk to [its] functionality,” the report found.
“If the site is to be maintained in the long-term as a hub, then planning needs to ensure the preservation of adequate buffer distances … and that activities on site are conducted in a manner that does not impact on the community, environment and public health.”
Boral sold the tip last year to Transpacific after Melton council had refused its application for an extension.
Transpacific Cleanaway regional manager Clete Elms said the company expected to submit its application to expand later this year.
Last week the EPA switched off air monitoring at Deer Park after almost a decade, noting “consistently good results” since July 2006.
Executive director Cathy Wilkinson said EPA’s lease had ended, and cost was not the reason the monitoring had closed.
