Tumbarumba left behind in the waste stakes!

Wednesday, 14 February 2001 10:00

The scheme should be refused on the basis that no recycling is planned for the site, and alternative approaches have not been properly investigated.

"The EIS mentions full recycling services at the tip site but the Council voted against having recycling. Residents should insist the Council adopts modern, environmentally responsible practices.

Sustainable waste management includes source separation and diversion of all recyclables, composting of all green and household kitchen waste," said Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre.

"No tender process for alternatives to landfilling has been entered into. Landfills pose serious leachate dangers to water quality."

If recycling and green waste processing were upgraded, a new landfill site would not be required for more than five years.

This will give time for Council to be forward thinking, investigate alternatives using independent and transparent processes which involve the local community and adopt a policy of minimising waste to landfill. "Such approaches are currently being adopted by a number of councils," he said.

"With the current review of the Waste Act (1995), and last years Government Waste Inquiry labelling landfills as the second worst method (incineration is last) of 14 waste technologies available, it is time for a change."