THE state’s environment regulator is yet to make a decision regarding the proposed asbestos dump at Cafprico Road on the fringe of Mount Gambier.
Environment Minister David Speirs has written to Grant District Council regarding the assessment process.
This follows the rural council appealing to the minister to stonewall the proposal given the “significant” outcry from the community.
In his letter dated June 18, Mr Speirs said the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) received an application from Sandyridge Holdings for the receipt and disposal of asbestos at its Compton site.
“I am advised the EPA has started processing the application in accordance with the requirements of the Environment Protection Act 1993,” the minister said.
This follows the EPA receiving 35 submissions from the public as part of the two week community submission period.
“The EPA has informed me that it has placed its assessment of the application on hold, pending its request for information as to whether the proposal requires development authorisation,” Mr Speirs said.
“Preliminary advice received from Grant District Council appears to indicate the site may have been authorised in 1984 to accept and dispose of asbestos and a further authorisation is not required.”
Should a “relevant” development authorisation be confirmed, Mr Speirs said the EPA would continue with its assessment of the application.
This process will include a review and consideration of submissions.
In the letter to the minister, Grant District Mayor Richard Sage said council had received “considerable” community feedback on the issue, along with a petition.
Concerns raised by community members include asbestos fibre becoming airborne, negative impact on property values and the Mount Gambier district becoming a dumping ground for Victorian asbestos.
“Grant District Council does not support the current licence variation application,” Mr Sage said.
An aerial view of the site and its surrounds shows there are possibly 17 houses within 500 metres of the landfill property boundary.
Around nine houses are within 500 metres of the centre of the landfill property.
“Residents surrounding the landfill have expressed to council their concern the enjoyment of their entire property will potentially be negatively impacted by an asbestos disposal approval,” Mr Sage said.
“They use the open space on their property for food production, grazing and various recreational and social pursuits.
“The risk of airborne asbestos fibre is of great concern.”
Council has explored a number of legal avenues to try and stop the proposal.
Original development approval was granted for the site in 1984 by the former Mount Gambier District Council .
The applicant at that time was Grant King on behalf of Gambier Earth Movers.
The site is now owned by a Victorian-based contractor.
Legal advice indicates the approval could be applied to asbestos despite this waste not necessarily having been specifically “contemplated” at the time of the land-use approval.
Mr Speirs thanked Mr Sage for taking the time to call his office and meet with EPA chief executive Tony Circelli.
