By Cam Lucadou-Wells
The operator of Hampton Park’s tip has been put on further notice by Environment Protection Authority for excessive levels of methane gas and carbon dioxide at its boundaries.
Suez Recycling and Recovery at Hallam Road, which is as close as 100 metres away from homes, was served with an amended Pollution Abatement Notice (PAN) in March.
Under the notice, Suez is required to fix the stench by installing extra gas monitoring bores and undertaking a long list of works to its gas extraction system including wells and pumps by 30 September.
The landfill’s odours have long been a bugbear for nearby residents, including Casey councillor Damien Rosario.
Despite the recent PAN, the tip’s wafting odours are still reaching Cr Rosario’s home.
“At its worst, I have to close all my windows,” Cr Rosario said.
“Residents here don’t want to invite people over to their houses because of the smell.
“Thank God someone is taking action.”
The tip has been the subject of three PANs in the past two years and an EPA enforcement action in 2012.
Suez has a planning permit from Casey Council to operate the tip until 2040.
The latest notice comes 12 months after Suez was put on notice for methane levels above the “upper explosive limit” being detected in December 2015.
About a third of the landfill’s 273 gas extraction wells were found to be blocked, too wet, turned off or disconnected, or otherwise had slow gas flow rates. Many were blocked by leachate.
Suez was required to immediately increase monitoring and improve its gas extraction system as a high priority to “manage high environmental risk or mitigate high impact”.
It had been found to have made “significant efforts” to comply such as installing 22 perimeter landfill bores by August 2016.
However during the works, Suez’s emissions had increased, EPA regional manager Marleen Matthias said.
“EPA has since increased its response work, undertaking odour surveillance and passing reports to Suez to ensure it investigates the source of any odours.
“EPA believes that works have been progressing in line with the EPA-mandated timeframes.”
Suez corporate affairs manager Luke Schepen said it would address the EPA matters over coming months and provide the EPA with ongoing progress updates.
“Suez strives to achieve the best possible environmental outcomes and we are committed to managing our landfill operations consistent with community expectations.”
The operator runs a community reference group and a 24/7 hotline for residents to report concerns.
Casey statutory planning and building services manager Duncan Turner said the council regularly met with Suez to ensure compliance.
“Odour complaints received by council are brought to the attention of (Suez) and are referred to the EPA for appropriate monitoring and attention.”
