Max Hatzoglou
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has given Barrow Group until August 22 to complete remedial work at the Kealba landfill.
Barro Group’s licence to operate the landfill was suspended in September 2021 because of ongoing hotspot and odour issues impacting nearby residents.
EPA regional manager western metropolitan Steve Lansdell said in a statement that the authority would endeavour to ensure no odour impacts residents beyond the landfill boundaries while the remediation works occur.
“Progress is being made at the site, with three of the four hotspots now extinguished,” Mr Lansdell said.
“EPA will continue to ensure there are no days of odour impacting outside of the Kealba landfill boundaries, acting swiftly if that occurs.”
Mr Lansdell also said the EPA will schedule further community engagement in early May.
He said EPA officers would continue to conduct both routine and unannounced odour monitoring in Kealba, St Albans and Sunshine North.
Previous air quality monitoring has foud the risk low to long-term community health.
“EPA continues to be highly vigilant of the situation at the Kealba landfill site and has total empathy with the local community who have endured this issue and odours for far too long,” Mr Lansdell added.
“This (EAN) notice replaces an earlier notice requiring the remedial activity and follows Barro Group’s decision to discontinue a Supreme Court appeal.
“Barro Group need to complete remedial activity by August 22 this year.”
