By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Buffer limits of 500 metres for putrescible waste landfills and new developments have arrived too late for long-suffering neighbours of Hampton Park’s tip.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria has recently released new guidelines for planning proposals within landfill buffer zones.
It outlines buffers of 500 metres for putrefying waste landfills and 200 metres for inert solid waste tips.
Many homes have been built as close as 100 metres away from the Suez-operated landfill at Hallam Road, Hampton Park – which has a Casey Council permit to operate until 2040.
Long-suffering residents have complained regularly about the tip’s stench.
Casey councillor Damien Rosario – who also lives in the area – said that the guidelines were a “long time coming”.
“Many houses were built before the EPA placed a 500-metre buffer around the Suez site.
“My understanding is that for houses already built prior to the EPA buffer, (residents) haven’t been able to change their properties at all such as do landscaping.
Cr Rosario was also “following up” on the recent building of houses across from the tip.
“I am just following up to find out why they are allowed to do it with the EPA buffer in place.
“Either way, the community needs rules of engagement around this sort of thing, and I’m happy the EPA has finally looked into this long-running issue.”
An EPA spokesman said the publication was a technical guide to assist the assessment of risk of landfill gas migration on a planning proposal.
“The guide assists with decision-making on proposed new developments, but does not have any effect on land uses that are already in place.”
Recently, Suez was fined nearly $8000 by the EPA for the escape of odour outside the landfill’s boundaries.
The tip has been the subject of three Pollution Abatement Notices in the past two years and an EPA enforcement action in 2012.
In 2015, Suez was put on notice for methane levels above the “upper explosive limit”, with a third of its gas extraction wells found to be blocked, too wet, turned off or disconnected or had slow gas flow rates.
Last year, Suez installed 22 perimeter landfill bores in response.
The EPA has advised people to call its Pollution Hotline on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC), if there are ongoing odour issues from the landfill.
Suez also has an “environmental feedback hotline” on 1800 368 737.
