A waste company has been refused a permit to keep operating at Campbellfield because it attracts rats, emits foul smells and generates dust.
Speedie Waste began recycling building materials on the Halley Crescent site about 18 months ago.
According to Hume council, the business owners started without a planning permit.
Five-metre high piles of waste, foul odours and vermin quickly led to complaints from neighbours, bringing Speedie Waste’s activities to the council’s attention.
After issuing several warning notices and fines, the council ordered works to stop, and the site has laid dormant for the past eight to 10 months.
Speedie Waste chief executive Vince Barilla said the company is losing money by the day.
Mr Barilla said about $200,000 had been spent buying equipment and setting up the site. He said there was never an issue with rats or bad smells.
“I’ve been in the waste game for 50 years now,” Mr Barilla said. “It’s just soil; there’s no waste there.”
Last Monday, councillors refused Speedie Waste a permit, an application for which had been lodged in February.
Hume council’s senior town planner Narelle Haber reported: “The proposed use is considered unacceptable on a site that does not have sufficient buffer distances. To date, the use …continues to cause serious amenity-based issues relating to public health, dust, vermin, litter and noise.”
Speedie Waste has two months to appeal.
Hume council director Kelvin Walsh said the owners are responsible for cleaning up the site.
