Questions without notice and ministers statements
Waste and recycling management
Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:00): (1021) My question today is to the Minister for Environment in the other place. There is a property owner on Black Gully Road, Diamond Creek, who is allegedly operating an illegal rubbish dump on their land. It has been reported for many years that significant amounts of waste are being delivered by the truckload to this property, which is in a rural conservation zone. We are talking about 60 trucks a day, cash in hand – whoever wants to dump an estimated 400,000 cubic metres of fuel, commercial waste, demolition materials, soil, vegetation, potentially asbestos and more. To date the landowner has reportedly refused to address concerns raised by council and has been incredibly aggressive and threatening to council staff and others who have sought to address the issue. Not long ago there was a large fire at the property, which was allegedly lit by the landowner to burn off some of this commercial waste. I understand the EPA has been involved in this case over the years, but the waste dumping continues. I mean, what are our environment laws for if people continue to get away with this. Minister, will you fix it?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:01): Obviously I will refer this matter to the Minister for Environment for a response. I am sure that he has heard about this and I am sure that you have probably written to him already on this matter, but he will respond to you within the standing orders.
Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:01): Thank you, Minister, for referring that question on. If you look this property up on Google Maps, you can literally see what appears to be a large bin fire burning on the site. Aerial images since then show the landfill growing and spreading over the property over this time. Again, this is a rural conservation zone. Minister, will you work with Nillumbik council and any other relevant authorities to see that this illegal dump is closed down to protect this important rural conservation area?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:02): This is a matter that is being dealt with by a number of authorities, and I am sure that the minister will respond to your supplementary as per the standing orders.