EPA VICTORIA has rejected a proposal by Australian Native Landscapes Pty Ltd (ANL) to re-establish a composting facility in Coldstream.
The Environment Protection Authority’s environmental services director, Bruce Dawson, said ANL applied for a works approval to reinstate operations on site but that, after what he described as careful assessment and consideration, the authority decided not to issue an approval.
The decision was met with differing, but predictable responses: the Yarra Ranges Council and Coldstream residents opposed the compost facility while ANL said it believed it put forward a best-practice proposal.
ANL proposed to process kerbside green waste at a rate of 40,000 tonnes a year in a semi-enclosed facility, but it did not convince the EPA.
“EPA does not have confidence in this company’s proposal,” Mr Dawson said.
“For the last three-and-a-half years, this site has continually been at the top of the list of community complaints and we have received more than 2500 reports of odour from the company’s operations during that time.
“EPA has determined that while the proposal will reduce odour emissions, it does not use best-practice technology, nor does it have adequate buffers to prevent off-site odour impact,” he said.
Tony King, the spokesman for the Coldstream Action Group, applauded the decision as “sensible and rational”.
“We now have this second stage where ANL wants to have a new permit to put up buildings and the EPA and we, the residents, don’t believe it’s a viable solution,” he said.
Yarra Ranges’ Ryrie Ward councillor Jeannette McRae said she believed the EPA had been “robust” in investigating the new proposal and had come to the right decision.
“The decision is appropriate given that the local businesses and community members have been guinea pigs for far too long,” she said.
Cr McRae said she supported the need to recycle and reuse waste but believed the EPA had determined that the proposed facility did not meet the grade.
ANL owner Patrick Soars said the company was disappointed with the decision.
“We are considering our options as to whether to appeal,” he said. “Obviously we’re disappointed. We believe we offered what was to be a very sound option for everybody.”
A separate decision by EPA not to issue the company with a licence to operate is still being considered by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, along with an application by the Shire of Yarra Ranges requesting the planning permit issued to the company be withdrawn.
– Kath Gannaway
