STAFF at the City of Greater Bendigo are seeking to address environmental concerns related to the Eaglehawk Landfill through a proposed planning scheme amendment.
The proposed change involves rezoning residential land and establishing buffer area overlays to regulate development near the landfill and transfer station with the aim of managing potential risks of landfill gas and odour impacts.
A recent audit recommended the City relocate the green waste mulching area and the food and green waste transfer space to keep a 250-metre buffer from nearby homes if possible, and if not, introduce ways to reduce smells from the site.
The audit was undertaken in response to guidelines from the Environment Protection Authority that required local governments to assess potential impacts before approving new developments near landfills.
“Rather than require landowners to provide an environmental audit for their individual property as part of a planning permit application, which can be extremely costly, complex, and time-consuming, the City decided to undertake the work for the whole buffer area,” said municipal director of strategy and growth Steve Hamilton.
“An EPA-accredited auditor was engaged to review technical assessments and consider any potential impacts of gas migration, odour, dust, and noise from the landfill and transfer station activities on the immediate surroundings.”
As part of the proposed new rules property developers would need to incorporate elements like membrane barriers or slab venting into their projects.
Recommendations for land 250 to 500 metres from the landfill includes monitoring bores be installed and checked by the City, and for these to be included in the next revision of the environmental monitoring program for the 40-year-old landfill.
The amendment follows the recommendations of an environmental audit conducted in accordance with Section 53V of the Environment Protection Act 1970.
Other proposed changes include rezoning residential land within the 500-metre boundary from General Residential to Neighbourhood Residential, and planning permits would need to be obtained should landowners wish to subdivide.
Restrictions would also limit sensitive uses of land within 250 metres of the landfill due to odour, and properties would be restricted to one dwelling.
Affected stakeholders have been informed about the proposed changes and have the opportunity to seek further information from project staff.
Public feedback on the amendment is open until 14 July.