Michaela Meade
Plans for a waste transfer station in Campbellfield have been knocked back by Hume council over concerns the application lacked vital information.
An application for the transfer station on Sarah Street, which would sort materials such as demolition and construction waste and household hard waste, was presented to council’s February 22 meeting.
A council report recommended the application be refused because it was “not supported by adequate information”.
Cr Karen Sherry said many key players expressed concerns over the proposed development.
“Merri Creek Management Committee [raised] concerns regarding the location of the works… with regards to visual impact and amenity… [and] also outlined the importance of good stormwater management,” Cr Sherry said.
“Traffic engineers raised concerns on the lack of detail of traffic movements and accessways in the report.
“The sustainable environment department objected to the proposal based on risks to local amenity, landscape character, natural heritage, lack of sufficient information including details regarding materials to be received or processed on the site.
Cr Sherry said the council expected more of applicants.
“The proponents have not provided enough information on the overall impacts of the development, and a cultural heritage management plan is missing,” Cr Sherry said.
“I also believe Campbellfield… has had enough of this sort of industrial activity, and I note that a residential area is only 230 metres away.”
Cr Jack Medcraft said Hume has been a “dumping ground” for a long time.
“We won’t tolerate any more of this behaviour, and if you want to put your plant or something like that into Hume, you have to meet the guidelines that we put down for you to adhere to,” Cr Medcraft said.
“Hume doesn’t want the cowboys anymore.
“This is a classic example of the council doing the right thing and refusing an application that didn’t meet the requirements we set.”
