By Belinda Nolan
BRIMBANK Council will continue the fight to stop a landfill from being built at Kealba, despite the expected high cost of the legal battle.
The council has remained firm in its decision to refuse a planning permit for the landfill that has been proposed at Kealba’s former quarry on Sunshine Ave, knocking back the application for the second time last week.
Barro Group had previously sought approval for the landfill but was rejected in August last year.
Since then the company has submitted amended plans in a bid to address the council and residents’ concerns.
Changes to the original plans include reduced operating hours and modifications to the proposed landfill boundaries.
But the council upheld its previous decision, claiming the amendments were inadequate.
With only 80 metres separating the landfill from residential areas, the council fears landfill gases could move under nearby homes, putting residents at risk.
The council also believes the proposed landfill would be too close to the Maribyrnong River Valley and could pollute waterways.
The council claims the Barro Group has failed to prove that dust generated at the site will not impact on the community.
The Environment Protection Authority has issued Barro Group with a Pollution Abatement Notice for the site, ordering it to monitor dust levels for the next six months.
The company has appealed the council’s decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and a hearing is scheduled to begin on 21 March.
The council has hired a legal team to fight the case, including lawyers, environmental and acoustic experts and traffic and landfill engineers.
Council officers have estimated that the costs of fighting the case will be significant and are likely to exceed its planning department’s legal budget.
