The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and Maribrynong Council want feedback from those in the community who may be affected by the Cleanaway site proposed for Tottenham.
Cleanaway Solid Waste Pty Ltd (Cleanaway) has lodged a licence application to set up two warehouses to support the state government’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS), at 416 Somerville Road, Tottenham.
Maribyrnong council has received a planning permit application to use the site for the purpose of Industry (transfer station) in accordance with the new CDS.
The Maribyrnong Planning Scheme exempts applications from public notice which is why council said it was looking at other ways to alert the community to the proposal.
Councillor Bernadette Thomas said ordinarily council would advertise or notify neighbours of planning permit applications.
“This one is exempt. Under the planning scheme there is a whole exemption for the container deposit scheme, so council can’t do public notices,” she said.
“This is really the only opportunity that the community has to submit ideas, objections or support, all through the EPA process.
“Which is why we as councillors are directing people to that process.“
According to Cr Thomas, the proposed Cleanaway site is located within the Industrial 1 Zone land and is approximately 700 metres from the nearest residential zone.
Cr Thomas said the site will collect and sort approximately 20 tonnes of light recyclables per day, seven days a week, and receive approximately 96 tonnes of glass bottles per day.
Cleanaway proposes to collect and sort recyclable material from the CDS onsite, no dismantling, processing or cleaning of materials will take place on site.
“It can be a really confusing process, we don’t want people to ask why council isn’t telling them about it.
“If people are putting in an application or a submission, they need to make sure that they are responding to the licence issues so they can all be taken into consideration.
“They should check it out if they have concerns or even if they support it.”
Submissions for feedback close on Thursday, September 7.
Details: engage.vic.gov.au/Cleanaway-Solid-Waste-Pty-Ltd-app027407
