A resident has claimed odours from the Bulla tip are regularly making his children violently ill, as people rally against Hume council’s decision to extend the tip’s lifespan.
Residents last week lodged an appeal with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, opposing the council’s decision to extend Bulla Tip and Quarry’s permit by two and a half years.
The group of disaffected residents has launched a website, Stop Bulla Toxic Tip, in a bid to have their voice heard.
“We are asking VCAT to consider our appeal on the basis that it’s not appropriate to have that land continue to be developed as a
landfill given the current planning and environmental policy,” campaign co-ordinator Carmel Egan said. “We think it has an unreasonable impact on the community and our first step is to alert the whole Bulla community to get behind this campaign.”
Ms Egan said residents were increasingly worried about their health and quality of life.
Gabrail Aphram said he feared for the well-being of his family.
He said the tip had made his young children sick on many occasions.
Mr Aphram said the stench of the tip filled the air around his home, especially during periods of strong wind, causing his children to become violently ill.
“My daughter starts to cough frequently and she coughs so much to the point she throws up and has trouble breathing,” Mr Aphram said.
“We took her to the doctors and they sent her to the Royal Children’s for scans.
“Then she gets better and we get another strong wind again and the smell of the tip comes through … you can almost guarantee the next day, my daughter starts the coughing.”
Hume’s city sustainability director Kelvin Walsh said the council had taken prompt action on complaints and, where appropriate, involved the Environment Protection Authority.
“EPA officers periodically inspect the landfill site to ensure the use is complying with the EPA licence requirements. If not, they will then issue notices to remedy and breaches of the licence,” Mr Walsh said. “Council officers also conduct regular inspections of the site to monitor compliance with the planning permit.’’ Mr Walsh said that after approving the extension of the tip’s permit last month, the council sent a letter to the EPA, asking for increased monitoring of the site. This request was granted.
The council will also invite EPA representatives to take part in a public information meeting in Bulla. Details of the forum are still being finalised.
EPA was unable to comment before deadline.
