8 February 2006

Commissioner Philip Weickhardt
Inquiry into Waste Generation and
Resource Efficiency
By email: waste@pc.gov.au

Dear Commissioner

RE: SUBMISSION TO CURRENT INQUIRY

I write to make a brief submission to the current Inquiry into Waste Generation and Resource Efficiency.

Whilst I acknowledge that the Inquiry is not intended to address individual cases, I believe a matter in my electorate provides some insight into an issue that warrants broader examination. 

My intention is to raise with the Inquiry a matter that is of sincere interest to my constituents in the neighbourhood of Heatherdale Road Mitcham who are having to contend with both a Waste Transfer Station (WTS) located opposite their residences, and a waste metal recycling operation. 

These two independent operations have attracted considerable public comment and concern. In essence, the operators have applied for a local government permit.  In the case of the WTS their permit application was refused. The operator appealled the matter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) and was granted a permit. 

The waste metal recycling operation has been accused of breaching Council noise regulations and are contesting the Council’s notice in the Magistrates Court. 
 
To complicate these matters, Heatherdale Road forms a local government boundary – between Whitehorse and Maroondah Councils. I am advised that both municipalities have differing planning requirements in terms of where a WTS can be physically located. 

I believe that harmonisation for planning requirments across municipalities is desparately required to deliver, as a bare minimum, a consistent state-by-state planning scheme for recycling centres.  This would help to ensure that we continue to preserve the characteristics of our neighbourhoods, whilst achieving effective and responsible waste management. 

Yours sincerely

Phil Barresi, MP
Member for Deakin