By YASEMIN TALAT
OUTRAGED Wyndham residents are vowing to continue their fight against the growing ‘tip mountain’ at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Community group the Western Region Environment Centre, which opposes the growth of the tip, will apply to become part of future proceedings over the tip at VCAT.
Member of WREC and neighbour to the landfill site, Julian Menegazzo said neighbouring residents were not made aware of the growing landfill.
“I didn’t know about that mountain until I saw it growing,” Mr Menegazzo said.
The group presented a petition to the council at an ordinary council meeting last Monday.
The petition to the council was to establish a council-community advisory group to develop a Landfill Plan to prevent waste being dumped above ground.
“The petition is so people can express something directly to the council to say we don’t want this bad image,” Mr Menegazzo said.
“We will be arguing vigorously with our lawyers opposing it, on behalf of us and the community, because of the visual amenity impact, the odour impact, and the image of what it does for Werribee,” he said.
“They are effectively operating that tip mountain without a permit,” he said.
“Our main aim is to get the mountain level and if they don’t have proper permit for it, like anyone else in Werribee if they build something without a permit they have to take it down.”
Ms Thompson told Star that Wydham City maintained the RDF was operating with the required planning approvals for the use of the site as a landfill.
“In recognition of the concern expressed by residents that they were not adequately informed about the recent amendments to the permit in relation to its height, Wyndham Council will be applying to VCAT to remove this reference,” Ms Thompson said.
“This will have no effect on the operation of the RDF,” she said.
Ms Thompson said the council had been in contact with residents in relation to their application to VCAT and respected their rights to express their views at the hearing.
“Although the permit doesn’t provide approval for the height of the RDF to be increased to that level – approval must be sought from the EPA – in light of the concerns expressed by residents, it is appropriate for the reference on the Permit to be removed,” she said.
“Council has commenced planning for an RDF community reference group and working with the community to resolve their concerns.”
A date for the VCAT hearing is yet to be fixed.
