Big tip from council

CASEY Council has urged the State Government to plan for an alternative solution to dumping toxic waste at the Lyndhurst tip.
Councillors also agreed to work towards establishing a single body, with the City of Greater Dandenong and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), to oversee State Government proposals on the tip and improve the flow of information to concerned residents.
The unanimous decision was made at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
A letter will also be sent to Environment Minister John Thwaites outlining the council’s position on the controversial dumping site.
In a report tabled to the council, Casey officers said that although the landfill was situated in the City of Greater Dandenong it was within one kilometre of Casey residential areas.
“The State Government needs to be proactive in planning for the long-term management of prescribed waste,” the report said.
“The State Government needs to begin the planning process for the long-term containment of prescribed waste, thereby developing viable and feasible alternatives to the tipping or storage of prescribed waste by 2020.”
Councillor Wayne Smith was the only councillor to speak about the report in council.
He said Casey was in a difficult position as the tip was not within the city’s boundaries.
“The report gives a good understanding of the City of Casey point of view,” Cr Smith said.
He also congratulated action group Residents Against Toxic Waste In The South East (RATWISE) for its continued efforts in keeping the issue in the public eye.
Several members of the public gallery applauded on hearing of council’s decision to go ahead with the officers’ recommendations.