Tullamarine residents have had the heat turned up in their battle against waste giant Cleanaway, owned by Transpacific Industries (TPI).
Their long-standing campaign to prevent development next to a former toxic waste dump that is still leaking poisonous gases and polluting groundwater will go before a ministerial panel early in the new year.
Dates for the panel hearing were announced last week after the Hume council was directed by Planning Minister Matthew Guy to advertise a change of zoning for the buffer land mid-year. Submissions were due in by yesterday.
The change proposes the rezoning of buffer land next to the former tip on Western Avenue from a farming zone to a commercial zone, with a development plan overlay to allow the site to be used predominantly for warehousing and industry uses, with some offices.
Tullamarine Toxic Dump Action Group spokeswoman Helen van den Berg said: “This site has been a burden to residents of our city for more than three decades. We have carried the burden of anxiety about health impacts from our exposure to airborne chemicals for decades.”
She said toxic oils had not been removed and the cap on the dump was of a lesser standard than for “putrescible” landfills.
While acknowledging that TPI was not responsible for the pollution problems posed by the old tip – they were created prior to its ownership – Ms van den Berg said the company had given priority to its own development plans for the site rather than the priority of residents, which was to get the pollutants cleaned up.
The group wants the council to abandon the amendment on the grounds the environmental impacts of the dump will continue to require buffers for decades to come.
City infrastructure director Kevin Walsh said: “When thinking about this amendment, residents are reminded to keep in mind that it is the responsibility of the EPA to monitor the landowners’ responsibilities under the post-closure management plan.”
