ANL / Shire Agenda item 8.1

Agenda item

8.1 Application for Amended Planning Permit No:YR-2004/164/A (Use and Development of a Green Waste Transfer Station-Composting Facility) to Amend the Site Layout; Construction of In-ground Compost Aeration Facilities, a Green Waste Storage Building, Holding Bay and Biofilters and Changes to the Existing Trommel Building - 527-529 Maroondah Highway, Lilydale

SUMMARY

Proposal is to amend the planning permit by amending the site layout; construction of in-ground compost aeration facilities, a green waste storage building, holding bay and biofilters and changes to the existing trommel building.
Thirty three objections had been lodged on the grounds of ongoing odour issues, lack of confidence that the amendment will genuinely fix the odour problem given previous failures to address odour issues, inappropriate location given the surrounding land uses, risk to health, noise, increased intensity of use beyond previous approval, preference given for VCAT to determine the application, loss of property value, and insufficient technical details.
The application was referred to the EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) who has objected to the application and as such Council must refuse the application.
A joint consultation meeting with the EPA was organised to discuss the objectors concerns. No resolution was reached.

The proposal does not met the requirements of the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, in terms of the amenity impacts and compatibility with surrounding development and does not use best practice technology. Council officers agree with the EPA objection and support their concerns.
Over the operation period of this permit, there have been significant odour impacts from the facility, causing major concern and distress to residents surrounding suburbs and particularly Coldstream and Lilydale. This emission of odour eventually resulted in the June 2009 Enforcement Order, which required the facility to cease composting green waste. This has in turn resulted in the submission of a new Works Approval application to the EPA and this amended permit application.


Council must refuse the application given the EPA objection and it is also recommended that Council issue its further grounds of refusal given the impact on the amenity of the surrounding sensitive land uses




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