Council is continuing to voice strong concern over the operation of Kealba Landfill and is calling for action to address the problem of ongoing landfill hotspots, which are impacting on community amenity and the environment.
At the Council Meeting on 15 December 2020, Brimbank Council resolved to write to the Barro Group that operates the landfill, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the relevant Minister to highlight continuing community and Council concern about ongoing landfill hotspots and the need for action.
Brimbank Mayor Cr Ranka Rasic said Council is asking for the Kealba landfill hotspots to be brought under control at the earliest, for more frequent community updates on the matter, and for an independent investigation into the management of the ongoing hotspot fires.
“We’ll be writing to Mr Raymond Barro, Managing Director of The Barro Group that manages the landfill, to Dr Cathy Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer of the EPA and The Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio MP, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, regarding the ongoing landfill hotspots at the Kealba Landfill.
“Brimbank Council shares the community’s concerns about ongoing Kealba Landfill hot spots and the need for better air quality monitoring at the landfill site.
“We’re aware these issues are impacting on the wellbeing of the local community and the environment, and a solution needs to be found by the landfill operator at the earliest,” Cr Rasic said.
“Council will also be calling on the Minister to initiate an independent investigation into the EPA’s management of the ongoing hotspot fires. We want the investigation to look into the effectiveness of the remediation response, the health impacts of the fires on the surrounding communities, and provide an independent analysis of air quality.
“We want the independent investigation to recommend a speedy resolution of this issue,” Cr Rasic said.
A Notice of Motion was tabled at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 15 December 2020, expressing continuing Council and community concern over the ongoing Kealba Landfill hot spot issues, and its impact on the community and environment.
Mover of the motion, Cr Virginia Tachos said Council is calling for effective action to resolve the problem.
“The landfill hotspot issue has gone on for over a year now, and residents living around the area have told us about the offensive odours and poor air quality they’re being forced to live with.
“Council has been doing its best to get action taken. We’re once again voicing our strong concern and calling for action, including an independent investigation into the management of this ongoing issue, and a speedy resolution of this issue.
“We’re also asking that the landfill operator, the Barro Group engages more frequently and effectively with the local community, to provide our community with information on what is being done to resolve the hot spot problems, and to share the air monitoring data with the community.
“We also want assurances that the community and environment’s health and wellbeing is not being negatively impacted by the ongoing hotspot remediation actions,” Cr Tachos said.
Earlier this year when air quality monitoring was hindered due to vandalism of equipment at the Kealba landfill, Council sought assurances from the Barro Group that air monitoring remains a top priority. Council also wrote to the CEO requesting the community engagement strategy is made public upon finalisation. Council has also written to the relevant Minister, local member and CEO of the EPA on this matter, and continued to raise the issue with the EPA as the regulating authority.