Tara Murray
Kealba residents have renewed calls for the Kealba Landfill to be closed down.
Residents say they have had enough, after dealing with strong odours and smoke from fires at the Barro Group’s landfill for 18 months.
A number of residents have reported that smell has become worse in recent weeks as Barro works to target deeper surface hotspots, prompting calls for the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to close the site.
But the EPA said the landfill would not be shut down.
“Currently, we don’t believe that shutting down the landfill would comply with [our compliance and enforcement policy], and therefore may not be enforceable in court,” the EPA said.
Kealba resident Anna, who didn’t want her last name published, said the landfill should have been closed 18 months ago and that the last few weeks had been terrible.
“The fires have been going 18 months and the last two-three weeks have been terrible especially for those who live in close proximity,” she said.
“I’ve had itchy eyes, a sore throat and it affects your mental health.
“You can’t go into the backyard or walk in Brimbank Park. No one is telling us what is going on.”
Paola Alegria has spent most of her life living near the site. She said she had never dealt with such a nauseating stench.
“Recently, it has gotten to the point where I no longer enjoy walking around my suburb, or even taking advantage of the beautiful trails of Brimbank Park just around the corner.
“I love being active and spending days outdoors but now I take all precaution of closing every window and doors. Imagine every day waking up and getting a whiff of this strong manure/compost like smell and not being able to get rid of it – it’s a nightmare.
“I constantly worry about my mum who suffers from asthma and how this can affect her health. I have found that now I’m beginning to get headaches when the odours are overwhelming.”
Marion Pham said the landfill should have never been approved for that site.
“It’s really bad,” she said.
“Some houses are pretty far away and they can still smell it. There seems to be no end. I don’t know how much more that we can take.”
She said residents were told the odour wasn’t dangerous but she doesn’t believe that given the symptoms she and others are experiencing.
The three residents say they and other residents had contacted local MPs, the Environment Protection Authority and council but feel like they are being left in the dark.
Anna said she wants an investigation into how the fire started.
“Something went wrong,” she said.
“It’s 80 metres from homes, schools, kindergartens and shops.”
