December 20, 2010 CASEY WEEKLY – CRANBOURNE – YOUR COMMUNITY VOICE [ 5 ]

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Fears over toxic dumpBY SAM BOLITHO

‘We have hope . . . theLiberals will followthrough and they’ll havea much more seriouslook at the effect onpeople.’

A SOUTH-east residents group iscalling on the new Coalition govern-ment to block plans for a $2 millionsoil treatment plant planned for theLyndhurst toxic dump.

The proposal from waste manage-ment company SITA has been lodgedwith the Environment ProtectionAuthority to treat category A con-taminated soil, the highest categoryfor toxic contaminants.

If successful, it would meansoils containing high levels of pesti-cides, heavy metals and toxins includ-ing arsenic, lead, mercury andcyanide could be treated and stored atthe site. A buffer zone of at least 590metres exists between the proposedplant and neighbouring residents.

Thelma Wakelam, of ResidentsAgainst Toxic Waste in the SouthEast, said she had ‘‘more faith’’ in thenew government but reserved judg-ment until a waste-managementpolicy was announced.

‘‘I know in the past its policies have

been very similar [to the former gov-ernment] — that is zero-waste, whichis unachievable.’’

Ms Wakelam said she feared thesite — which at present receives cat-egories B and C soils, prescribedindustrial waste and general waste —was already close to capacity.

‘‘Considering the fact it is going tofill, the government needs to be look-ing for an alternative facility. Theyneed to be looking now.’’

Tony O’Hara, of the HamptonPark Progress Association, called onthe new government to act on com-munity concerns that the proposed

plant would bring ‘‘extremely danger-ous materials’’ into Casey.

‘‘We have hope that the interestshown prior to the election by theLiberals will follow through andthey’ll have a much more serious lookat the effect on people surroundingthis facility.’’

South Eastern MetropolitanRegion Liberal MP Inga Peulich, whowas outspoken on the site while inopposition, said community concernsneeded to be addressed throughproper monitoring by the EPA.

“I will continue to make represen-tations on behalf of the communityand work through the minister toensure that reforms to the EPAaddress the concerns of the com-munity and concerns of the VictorianAuditor General.”

SITA state general manager DanielFyfe said the plant had been givenapproval to operate ‘‘until 2020 andbeyond’’. He said Victoria needed asoil treatment facility and his com-pany’s proposal would meet EPArequirements.

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Harry, 9, pictured with father Steve Tyrrell and John Harlen, was one of 150 lucky

children to get new bicycles at a presentation at Casey Recreation and Aquatic

Centre. Children’s charity Variety presented the bikes and helmets to children who

are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs.