EPA does not believe that Barro has the systems in place to manage the risks from their operations to keep the community safe.
Barro is entitled to make submissions which EPA will consider before making our decision.
Yesterday, EPA informed the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) we could no longer defend the revocation of Barro's previous operating licence, which was based on hotspot remediation only, as 3 of the 4 hotspots have now been remediated. EPA is holding Barro to account with new and broader regulatory actions, which have now commenced.
Barro is prohibited from accepting waste and operating the landfill and must remediate the final hotspot to comply with a new Environmental Action Notice.
EPA met with community members last night to notify them of our regulatory actions. EPA will provide regular community updates on the regulation of the site including site remediation.
Planning issues and land use decisions around the site have been complex. Local Government approved the planning permit and has since had concerns about the site. Local Government were not successful in challenging Barro Group in 2015 in relation to the land use permit. EPA continues to engage with Local Government to understand if there are any other planning avenues available in relation to the land use at the Kealba site.
EPA continues to have concerns about the suitability of this site due to its proximity to residential areas and our regulatory actions reflect a broader approach, beyond site remediation to hold Barro Group to account.
Interim CEO Joss Crawford said residents could be assured the prohibition notice will ensure operations and acceptance of waste at the landfill will not recommence.
"The only action Barro is permitted to take on the site relates to ongoing actions to extinguish the remaining hotspot and implementing the environmental auditors' recent recommendations,'' she said.
"We share the local community's continuing frustrations with the site. Whether it be the landfill or the nearby concrete crushing operation. We accept the latest changes with the licence have added to the concerns. However, I want to assure you, EPA will not stop regulating this site.
"We want to see the hotspot extinguished in a manner that is safe for community. We want to make sure the site no longer impacts the life of the people who live near it, and the environment they wish to enjoy.''
