LATEST: Melton council has unanimously rejected an application from Boral Recycling to expand landfill operations at its Ravenhall site.
The long-awaited decision was welcomed with rousing applause from a packed gallery and comes after 6,600 written objections were received by the council. Over 200 people attended the ordinary council meeting and waited in the council grounds for the decision, despite freezing temperatures.
The application from Boral was to increase the area of the existing landfill to match the area of on-site quarrying operations – representing a significantly larger area.
In making its decision councillors determined that the proposal was premature, lacked important information, could prejudice the orderly development of the area and did not comply with the relevant requirements of the planning scheme.
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Mayor Bob Turner said the council believed the application was premature given the existing landfill on the site appeared to have more than 10 years of airspace available.
“The proposal was to expand the landfill operation across the entire site, into large areas of land which have yet to be quarried. In effect, the proposal sought to lock in planning approval to fill the site for a long period of time, possibly 100 years or more,” Cr Turner said.
“The application also lacks important information such as a detailed assessment of appropriate buffer zones.”
Stop the Tip campaigner Marion Martin said she was “on top of the world” following the council’s decision and said the group is now even more determined to fight for the right outcome.
“The 250 to 300 people who stood out in the cold were all over the moon. Some of them said they believe in justice now…finally the council has listened to the community.
“We’re very, very strong moving forward, we’re not going to stop now and we’ll go as far as we have to go.”
Ms Martin said councillors would have been foolish to support the application and urged the State Government to also reject the proposal if Boral continues the fight.
“It’s not just that we’re against it, this is effecting our lives.”
Kororoit MP Marlene Kairouz welcomed the decision but warned the community not to rest on its laurels.
“If Boral cannot contain the odour that emanates from its current landfill operation, what hope do we all have if they get their way and expand their operation to a size equivalent of 100 MCGs?” Ms Kairouz said.
Ms Kairouz said this could be the beginning of a long battle with the avenue for further appeal still on the table for Boral.
“Melton Council have done the right thing. They’ve listened to the community. It’s now up to Boral to do the right thing to and withdraw their application. When 10,000 residents sign a petition, and 7,000 take the time to write objection letters you know you’re on the wrong side of an issue.”
Boral Waste Solutions business manager Richard McCarthy said the company is disappointed with the decision.
“We will carefully review the council’s decision and consider our next course of action,” Mr McCarthy said.
“We understand community concern around our application has contributed to council’s decision. Boral takes community concerns seriously and is working closely with council, residents and the EPA to respond to issues raised.”
Mr McCarthy said Boral’s western landfill is a critical piece of community infrastructure and essential to Melbourne’s future ability to manage waste.
