A VOW to try and stonewall a proposed asbestos dump along a popular rural living strip has been made by Grant District Council mayor Richard Sage.
This follows a public outcry from alarmed residents who live along Cafpirco Road, on the fringe of Mount Gambier.
Mr Sage said he wanted to personally meet with the Environment Protection Authority staff this week to stop the proposal at the Sandy Ridge landfill.
He said the decision whether to approve the asbestos dump rested with the EPA and was beyond the control of the council.
“This 30-year-old dump is reaching its use-by-date and is not an appropriate location for an asbestos dump,” Mr Sage told The Border Watch yesterday.
It is understood the landfill located at 331 Cafpirco Road has operated as a waste transfer business and recycling depot.
Mr Sage revealed the quarry was approved by the former Mount Gambier and District Council in 1984 as a solid waste dump.
Mr Sage said the quarry had been used to dump concrete, timber and other materials since that time.
“We are hopeful of stopping the proposal.
Council has lodged a submission with the EPA,” he said.
Mr Sage said council had approved rural living developments near the quarry and there were other dump sites in the region that had asbestos approval.
He said the quarry had received ongoing approval from the EPA, but it now had a new owner who wanted to vary the conditions.
The site’s new owner is seeking approval to widen its waste disposal options to include the receival and disposal of asbestos.
The site was recently purchased by a demolition contractor based at Warrnambool.
In a letter sent to nearby landholders, an EPA delegate said the proposal outlined the asbestos would be wrapped and sealed in thick plastic or in sealed containers.
“Asbestos will be disposed of in a designated area and covered with a minimum of 150mm of waste fill on or before the close of each day’s operations.”
Asbestos will not be disposed within one metre of any final surface level, according to the proposal.
“Appropriate measures will be taken to prevent the generation of asbestos dust.”
Grant District Council acting chief executive officer Graeme Maxwell said the council had been contacted by the EPA as part of the application process.
“The council was contacted by the EPA to check if the variation would require planning approval – there was none needed,” he said.
“The original approval to create a landfill at the site was granted in 1984 and I would imagine at that time the area was not so populated – I understand there are quite a few homes out there now.”
It is understood the EPA will consider submissions and concerns raised when assessing the proposal, however if the licence is approved for variation there will be no formal feedback process for residents.
EPA regulation director Peter Dolan told The Border Watch last week that landfill, including asbestos, must be legally buried no closer than 500m to a residential property.
“There will be no waste buried right on the boundary of the site,” Mr Dolan said.
Submissions to the EPA close today.
