Another Dual Occ In Coldstream

Just heard from VCAT that this application has been allowed.

I will post some cooments from the report as soon as I can.

Are you concerned about the Coldstream stench?

18 May 10 @ 05:46pm by Alex Munro

COLDSTREAM residents fear their homes will again be saturated by a stench if Australian Native Landscapes is allowed to restart composting. 

Yarra Ranges Council and the Environment Protection Authority are reviewing applications by ANL to modify its Coldstream operation, with decisions likely within two months before hearings involving the site reappear in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. 

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Work proposed by ANL includes building a receivables shed, aerated covers on all windrows piles and bio-filters for emissions treatment.

But Coldstream resident Maria Rowland is apprehensive about whether any changes to the green waste processing operation could smell pleasant. 

“They’ve had about six tries at getting it right already,” she said. “We don’t want to go through another experiment; we are like guinea pigs. We are absolutely fearful of it re-starting.” 

Despite opening to fanfare in 2006 the compost facility has faced strong community opposition after it started emitting odours that Mrs Rowland likened to the smell of vomit. 

Matters before VCAT are expected to resume after June following the resolution of the applications to the EPA and Yarra Ranges Council.

In June 2009 an enforcement notice was issued preventing the company from bringing waste to the site. The order was altered in December to allow processing of on-site waste. 

Yarra Ranges Council planning services manager Kim Marriott said the ANL application lodged in February was expected to come before council in June. The EPA expects to make a decision by the end of May. 

ANL has contracts with Manningham, Knox, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges councils to process kerbside-collected green waste into compost. ANL Coldstream manager Tony Farriciello would not comment while the issue remained before VCAT.

Rattle the billy

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THERE are three certainties in life: death, taxes and ALP branch-stacking. Make that four with Progressive Business fund-raisers. So it's a refreshing change that Liberal MPs are also shaking the tin for Ted in 2010. Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe is holding a bush dance at Wandin North on June 5, the $65 ticket covering meat pies, lamingtons, pavlova, damper and billy tea. Fyffe's invitation, featuring a cartoon of herself dancing in a checked shirt, jeans, boots and hat, says: ''Life as a Liberal pollie has many fascinating aspects including do-se-dos, promenades and swinging of partners when it comes to fund-raising in the Yarra Valley.'' Grab your partner and mosey on down to the hall for a yee-ha!

Watch This Space 2

Heard on the grapevine:

The latest from ANL is that they want to vary the enforcement order yet again.  This time they want to bring in material from their other sites in NSW and sell it from Coldstream.

Will keep you posted!

TRANSFORMING VCAT

Transforming VCAT - Towards a three year strategic plan.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) is inviting all interested parties to provide input into the development of the organisation's three year strategic plan, which will be called Transforming VCAT.

The Transforming VCAT Discussion Paper sets out a number of initiatives to assist VCAT meet the challenges of the next decade and to be more effective in meeting community expectations.

It also addresses many, but not all, of the recommendations made in the former President's Review Report.  The purpose of the Discussion Paper is to stimulate and promote consultation with VCAT's staff, key stakeholders and general community.

A final version of Transforming VCAT will be published in August this year.

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Comment:  Unhappy with the way VCAT operates?  Here is your chance to do something about it!