Fyffe on Compost

COLDSTREAM COMMUNITY MEMO

The Coldstream Compost Facility

I am pleased that our united community calls for action on the Coldstream Compost Facility have not gone unnoticed by the new boss of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) – Mr John Merritt.

In an article from The Age (19 April 2010), Mr Merritt, criticised the previous EPA management for failing to tackle and prosecute polluting industries resulting in the EPA being seen as little more than a toothless apologist for industry.

The article states that five sites dominated complaints to the agency in the last half of 2009. The first site listed was Australian Native Landscaping in Coldstream. (Several thousand complaints over the last five years)

In addition to submissions and complaints lodged with the EPA by residents, I have spoken on numerous occasions in Parliament to advocate on behalf of Coldstream residents concerned about the facility. Some of the statements I have made about the compost facility in Parliament are on the reverse of this letter. Copies of the speeches in full can be obtained from my office.

Now is the time to reinforce any objections to the siting and operation of the compost facility which you can do by contacting the new CEO by letter, phone, fax or email.

Mr John Merritt

CEO - EPA

GPO BOX 4395

MELBOURNE VIC 3001

Ph: 9695 2722 or Fax: 9695 2610

Email: john.merritt@epa.vic.gov.au

It is important that we let the new CEO know we are not happy with the EPA’s lack of progress and that we make sure he knows how this is affecting each and every individual.

In the meantime, if I can be of any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me at my office on 9735 3208.

Sincerely,

Christine Fyffe MP

Member for Evelyn

Statements made by Christine Fyffe MP in Parliament  regarding the Coldstream Compost Facility:

“How many complaints have been received by the Environment Protection Authority regarding the smell from the ANL composting facility?” (Christine Fyffe MP, Question on Notice, Hansard 22 May 2007)

 

“…The reason I raise this matter is to highlight that it is okay to have rules and regulations, but if the EPA does not react to the community by listening and taking action, then it is a torturous process.” (Christine Fyffe MP, Environment Protection Amendment (Landfill Levies) - Hansard, 16 April 2008)

 

“…In Main Street Lilydale, the Gateway housing estate, Victoria Road and further afield the air has been frequently polluted with an appalling stink that can be best described as a cocktail of silage, warm vomit and rotting Hessian bags. Depending on the wind, cloud and other weather conditions, the odour swirls and moves around sometimes for an hour or so and at other times for more than half a day” (Christine Fyffe MP, Adjournment Debate - Hansard, 28 October 2008)

 

“Residents have rallied at Lilydale Lake and letters have been sent to Ministers pleading for help. Despite numerous complaints, the EPA has been slow to respond. The issuing of pollution abatement notices has not stopped the ordeal” (Christine Fyffe MP, Letter to Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, 10 December 2008)

 

“This should never have become a reality. It is horrendous, it is a nightmare and it has been going on for far too long.”(Christine Fyffe MP, Adjournment Debate - Hansard, 28 October 2008)

 

“…I also request that as a part of this review the minister look at why the EPA has failed to utilise its powers of enforcement against polluters, including the compost facility at Coldstream, despite the number of years of continuous pollution to the detriment of local residents.” (Christine Fyffe MP, Adjournment Debate - Hansard, 13 April 2010)

 

“The co-location of these polluting industries has resulting impacts on residents such as the following; outdoor private functions like barbeques and parties can no longer be held due to odour, washing cannot be hung out due to odour and dust contamination, in summer evaporative cooling cannot be used and houses must be totally shut up even on hot days to try to exclude odour. Other problems include breathing problems due to odour and dust, sore eyes, loss of property values, dry retching, exacerbation of illness in people with stress related illnesses, and traffic problems on link roads to the supplying suburbs.” (Christine Fyffe MP, Adjournment Debate - Hansard, 13 April 2010)

 

“It is important that my fellow parliamentarians are aware of the impact that facilities such as…composting facilities have on the lives and lifestyles of those residents who have to live around these depots.” (Christine Fyffe MP, Environment Protection Amendment (Landfill Levies) - Hansard, 13 April 2010)

 

The basis of these comments are the result of local residents contacting the office of Christine Fyffe MP to voice their concerns. If you would like to speak to us about an issue, please don’t hesitate to call us on 9735 3208.