THE ongoing row over the proposed asbestos dump on the edge of Mount Gambier has taken a new twist with Grant District Council now requesting a formal development application from the proponent.
While the matter was discussed in confidence at council’s meeting on Monday night, Mayor Richard Sage yesterday revealed council had taken control of the process given it was the “planning authority” involved.
The issue sparked uproar following the state’s environment regulator receiving an application from a Victorian-based contractor to dump asbestos in the Sandyridge Holdings quarry on Cafpirco Road.
The quarry – which has been a dump for hard waste flowing from construction sites – is a popular rural living zone for dozens of families.
Fears also surfaced Mount Gambier district could become an unwanted dumping ground for Victorian-based asbestos.
Amid an outcry from residents and concerns flowing from council, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) placed the assessment process “on hold” until further information became available.
Speaking to The Border Watch yesterday, Mr Sage revealed council was expected to write to the applicant this week requesting a formal development application for the “receival and disposal” of asbestos at the site.
“Legally the applicant has to (submit an application) given we are the planning authority and this will be the start of the process for them,” Mr Sage said.
The mayor welcomed council’s decision given it would “restart” the assessment process at a council-level.
“All aspects need to be taken into consideration. This is a site that has been used for demolition waste and people have been happy with that in the past,” Mr Sage explained.
“But when it comes to burying asbestos, that’s when we need to re-examine the proposal.”
He said the process also allowed the applicant to put all facts on the table in a formal avenue.
The mayor said the EPA must take into account council’s position given it was the planning authority involved.
Mr Sage said council believed the change in use was at “variance’ to the original solid waste approval given in 1984.
He said a new application was needed because there were new owners of the site and a formal application regarding the handling of asbestos was needed.
“Once the application comes in, the matter will be handled with due process,” he said.
The outcome follows the formation of a petition by Cafpirco and district residents along with legal advice obtained by council.
More than 35 submissions were lodged with the EPA regarding the proposal.
The EPA received an application from Sandyridge Holdings for a process change to its current EPA licence.
As part of the lodgment of the application, the EPA was advised Sandyridge Holdings had development authorisation for disposal of non-prescription waste at the site.
This advice enabled the application assessment process to begin.
