Waste facility faces closure

By Melissa Meehan
CASEY councillors are hoping they can shut down a green waste facility in Cranbourne by January next year.
Councillors discussed the stench emitted from the Cranbourne Waste Transfer Station and Recycling Depot this month after Cr Geoff Ablett received a letter from an unhappy resident.
“The letter says there are large white clouds over the compost as well as for sale signs on piles of compost,” Cr Ablett said.
“A number of residents have had enough.” He said the smell was not only offensive, but also was affecting the lives of people who lived nearby.
“Residents have told me they can’t invite people over because of the repulsive smell,” he said.
“There is clearly an inadequate buffer zone.”
Similar issues affected residents in both Coldstream and Pakenham in the past, with both councils, Yarra Ranges and Cardinia, moving to close them down – Pakenham will close by Christmas 2010.
When Cr Ablett asked whether the council was aiming to close the site, council officers said there was a resolution to shut it down by January 2012.
The council’s plan for the future was also discussed, as waste treatment in Metropolitan Melbourne is currently under review.
Representatives from Casey will be invited to take part in discussions about waste treatment and will also look to building a shared waste facility with other councils in the region.
It was recommended that council officers would report on their findings on the Cranbourne facility to council in November.