Country megatip for Sydney rejected - one more to go

Saturday, 02 October 1999 10:00

"It was such an ill-conceived and primitive attempt to deal with the waste problem, that it is amazing that it even saw the light of day. There are much more innovative and sustainable ways of dealing with Sydney's waste," said Jeff Angel Director of Total Environment Centre.

"The current Government's inquiry into the alternatives that reports early next year, should set the pace, not one-off megatip plans from the private sector. There is also a scheme for a megatip at Woodlawn, but this too should be rejected - it's the old style approach not suited to a global city like Sydney that is aiming to be clean and green."

'The year 2000 will be crucial in resetting the parameters for waste management in Sydney and megatips should not have any part to play."

"The risk to agricultural industries from the Ardlethan was a factor in the rejection of the scheme. This is further demonstration that Sydney should not export environmental problems."

Commissioner Cleland reports that he is "...not persuaded that agricultural risk arising from the Ardlethan Landfill Project would be non-existent or that the requisite degree of biosecurity could be achieved..."

Farmers are concerned that the perception of the area would no longer be "clean and green" and about the impact this could have on markets for their produce.