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EPA issues Show Cause notice to Kealba Landfill operator
Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has served a notice on the Barro Group, the owners and operators of the Kealba landfill, requiring it to show cause why its licence to operate at the site should not be suspended.
A Notice on Intention to Suspend Permission has been issued to the Barro Group because it is in contravention of its operating licence due to hotspots at the Kealba landfill causing odour impacts on local residents. The Barro Group failed to meet the 31 May deadline for extinguishing these hotspots.
Barro Group has until Friday 16 July 2021 to respond to the notice. Further action will be determined once the company has been given an opportunity to respond.
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First residents thought it was manure. Then a dead possum in the roof. Residents in Melbourne’s West have been living amid a toxic stench since 2019 and will be until next year.
Tara Murray
Brimbank council has called for an independent investigation into the management of spot fires at Kealba Landfill. At the most recent council meeting, Cr Virginia Tachos said the community had no faith in the landfill operator Barro Group or the Environment Protection Aauthority. It comes as remediation work recommences to put out spot fires that have been burning at the landfill for more than a year.
“There have been residents reporting physical symptoms and mental distress caused by the invasive odours,” Cr Tachos said.
“Many people are prevented from opening their windows for fresh air and some are concerned about their children’s safety when they are playing outdoors and the impact that the volatile chemicals may be having on their developmental and future health implications.