CASEY: Community fights against waste transfer station
The community is fighting against a waste transfer station at Hampton Park, says South-Eastern Metropolitan MLC Ann-Marie Hermans (pictured).
“This is a David and Goliath fight, a community standing together against big government and big business to protect their homes and their community,” Ms Hermans said.
“The proposed waste transfer station in Hampton Park is not just unpopular, it has been categorically rejected, and that is why today people have come out from their homes. “We have a mayor, a deputy and councillors here as well who have joined us.
“Over 6200 residents have provided petitions, objections and submissions. They are parents, business owners, families and migrants living in Lynbrook, Hampton Park, Narre Warren South, Lyndhurst and Cranbourne North.
“The residents understand the need for a place to dump waste, but it should not be acceptable for any responsible government to allow this to be located near homes, schools or in a residential area.
“The new Casey councillors agree and unanimously voted for the Government to move this facility to another location.
“If VCAT overturns the EPA’s refusal and allows this waste station to go ahead in this area, the government needs to defend the EPA’s decision, because the location is inappropriate and there are genuine health, safety and environmental concerns.
“I thank the people of the Lynbrook Residents Association here today, Hampton Park Progress, the Casey Residents & Ratepayers Association, the ‘We Say No’ campaign and all of the councillors and people.
“When the community cried out, Labor state MPs were nowhere to be found. Only after massive public pressure, supported by my work in this place, did the member for Narre Warren South finally acknowledge the community’s concerns.
“The Minister for Planning claims the matter is out of her hands, but her Government laid the foundations for this project.
“It was Victorian Labor’s plans on recycling and waste infrastructure which identified this site in a residential area as a waste hub in 2018.
“It required community consultation, but people’s concerns have been ignored, and there are no protections that can be practically implemented with it being only 54 metres away from people’s homes.
“How hypocritical is this government?
“The Minister for Energy and Resources publicly opposes a waste-to-energy facility in Wollert, neighbouring her electorate, despite masterminding these plans.
“Meanwhile the Deputy Prime Minister opposed one in Lara, the area which he represents in Federal Parliament.
“If this facility was no good for the people of Wollert or Lara, why is it acceptable for the people in my community?
“While we support recycling and waste into energy, these facilities need to be positioned away from residential areas. Sporting clubs, schools and community groups like Lynbrook Primary, the Hampton Park Junior Football Club and the Hazara Shamama Association are concerned about the risk to their community and young people and feel they have been ignored. No material about the waste facility has been provided in any language other than English.”