GRANT District Council has raised fears the Mount Gambier district is being targeted as a potential dumping ground for asbestos by interstate contractors.
This follows a Warrnambool-based contractor seeking approval from the state’s environment regulator to discard asbestos at a quarry on the fringe of Mount Gambier.
Council has vowed to hold talks with the State Government over the issue of toxic items – including deadly asbestos material – being trucked across the Victorian border.
It is understood South Australia does not impose a levy for the dumping of asbestos at approved sites despite Victoria having a $30 per tonne levy.
Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell yesterday called on the State Government to impose a $50 levy on Victorian contractors who freight asbestos into South Australia.
The issue reached flashpoint on Monday night when more than 20 irate residents packed a council meeting over a proposed asbestos dump on Cafpirco Road.
At the meeting, Cr Alan Hill said he was against asbestos being trucked across the Victorian border into the South East.
“I am very concerned. China does not want our rubbish and South Australia does not want Victoria’s rubbish,” Cr Hill said.
“I know there may be nothing we can do about that, but it is an absolute disgrace if this is being dumped in our area. We do not want it.”
Cr Hill congratulated the collective efforts of the Cafpirco Road residents who were making a stand on the matter.
“Quite frankly, without these efforts, people will stand on you,” he said.
Cr Clayfield said council must approach the State Government over toxic waste coming across the Victorian border.
“Although the law says they can do it, it does not mean we should not be pushing to change that,” Cr Clayfield argued.
“Why should we be taking it from Victoria?”
Mr Bell – who has written to Environment Minister David Speirs on the issue – said the government must consider a levy to stop Victorian contractors streaming across the border with toxic materials.
“It is my concern the site at Cafpirco Road, Compton, will be used to dump asbestos that has originated from Victoria, thus alleviating the need for a Warrnambool demolition contractor to pay the levy currently imposed in Victoria,” the independent MP said.
“We have to be careful Mount Gambier district is not seen as an asbestos dump for other states, however we have to take responsibility for asbestos generated in our own state.”
Mr Bell said the levy should be imposed on interstate material, not asbestos from South Australia.
“Mount Gambier currently has two approved sites for the dumping of asbestos, one located at Eucalypt Drive and the second one located at Telfords Quarry, Bay Road. I note that Mount Gambier is the only area which has multiple sites in South Australia,” he said.
He said he did not believe a third asbestos dump was needed in the Mount Gambier district, particularly around built-up areas like Cafpirco Road.
