Fears Bannockburn could become a “dumping ground” for 50,000 cubic metres of poultry manure and abattoir waste have prompted 46 objections to a proposed compost facility.
Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria on Friday published some of the submissions as it announced a community conference in two weeks to discuss the plans.
A Teesdale resident, whose name EPA redacted, angrily criticised the proposal.
“We do not want the extra trucks destroying our roads, the eye sore or the smell of a pile of such waste,” they said in their submission.
“Take your poultry manure, hatchery waste, grease trap and abattoir waste elsewhere. Do not use our beautiful town as your dumping ground.”
Another submission echoed these concerns, saying the surrounding townships would suffer bad smells.
The objector also raised fears of water pollution and said zoning for the site at 607 Shelford-Bannockburn Road was inappropriate for the proposal.
A third objector spoke of Bannockburn’s wide open spaces, nature reserves and wildlife, and believed the smell would affect the town’s character.
“Being a local, I am extremely aware of the high winds we receive in this area,” they said.
“The installation of a static compost pile in this region will surely ruin a good thing for no perceived gain.”
Advanced Composting Technologies of Australasia applied for an EPA works approval to build the facility.
The proposed facility would accept up to 50,000 cubic metres of waste each year including poultry manure, and hatchery, grease trap and abattoir waste, according to EPA.
The company would process the waste into 36,400 cubic metres of pasteurised compost, EPA stated.
EPA had received 35 public submissions and one petition against the proposal, it stated on 31 May.
The authority requested the company respond to all submissions, outline fire protection and biosecurity plans, and detail potential greenhouse gases emissions and odours.
Golden Plains Shire Council had received a further 11 submissions as it considered a separate planning permission application from the composting company.
The community conference begins at 6.45pm at Barwon Room, Bannockburn Cultural Centre, on 13 June, following a 45-minute information session.
EPA urged those wanting to attend to phone 1300 372 842 or email works.approvals@epa.vic.gov.au to resister by 11 June.
