Hi all,

At the last LRA meeting there was a big up cry about the smells from the tip and its impact on the local area. As such it was decided to form a sub-committee with a direct focus on the tip. It is early days for this just yet but updates will be posted as things happen. This group will also look to work with related groups in the area, e.g. Hampton Park Progress Association.

Recently there was a community meeting about SITA's proposed Advanced Waste Treatment (SAWT) facility. At that meeting I was approached by Michael O'Keeffe, SITA's Post Collection Manager to ask how the last few days were. I told him that they were terrible. He did say that SITA was aware and had been working hard to fix the problem. I explained that it wasn't any good if they didn't tell people that A) they were aware there was an issue and B) what they were doing about it. He has since been keeping me informed of their progress.

Please see the "Read more" section for further information from SITA and from EPA.

Below is the latest update from SITA. Basically it means that the recent odours we have been experiencing should now be under control. If you do experience odours though, please contact EPA on 9695 2777. During business hours, you can also contact SITA on 9554 4555.

Jason,

Further to my earlier emails, I am pleased to provide the following update.

1. The newly installed horizontal collection pipes are now extracting gas.

2.  Commencing next Monday further horizontal collectors will be installed
to provide a greater level of certainty in our system.

3.  The above ground pipework that will be used to provide the vacuum
pressure to the horizontal collectors has been completed.

4.  The 3 power generation engines and the 1 flare are in continued use.

5.  A second flare has been installed and will be operational in the coming
few hours.

6.  I believe the works are progressing well.

Should you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.


Michael O'Keeffe
Post Collection Manager

SITA Environmental Solutions
274 Hallam Road
Hampton Park
Victoria, 3975

The below email was sent by the EPA. It contains further information on what they are doing and how to report odour issues.

Thank you for your attendance at the recent meeting in relation to the application for an alternate waste treatment plant in Hallam Road, Hampton Park.

This e-mail provides an update in response to odour concerns affecting residential areas surrounding the current landfill and provides some information on lodging odour complaints.

We are currently collating your feedback from the meeting about the alternate waste treatment plant. The proposal is under assessment and we will provide you with an update on the next steps shortly.

As stated at the meeting, 66 complaints were received about the site in the last 18 months, most coming through in the past 2 months. Since the meeting, EPA has received a further 55 complaints.

In response to community concerns, the Hallam Road landfill area has been prioritised for immediate investigation by EPA. Our response includes:
Responding to complaints;
Undertaking odour surveillance of the area every day over at least the next two weeks;
An EPA officer will be patrolling the area to determine the type and extent of odours at different times of the day.

EPA is able to respond promptly to complaints made by telephone between the hours of 8.30am to 10pm. Complaints made outside of this time are recorded by a voice service and referred to investigating officers the following business day. When you make a complaint, please specify if you would like a returned phone call requiring further information on the investigation.

Sometimes, odours are present for short periods only so it can be difficult for an EPA officer to verify your odour complaint. To assist us with investigations, it is important you call EPA's Pollution Watch Line on 9695 2777 as soon as you are aware of the odour. Delaying your call or sending
it via e-mail will not provide EPA officers with the best chance of being able to verify your complaint.

When an odour report is made, EPA collects information from the odour reporter. This information helps to identify the likely source of the odour, how the individual is being affected and the action EPA may take.

Information collected will include:

Time of odour.
Name and address of reporter.
Location of the odour.
Character and strength of the odour.
Identity and location of alleged source.
Length of time of the impact and frequency if it has occurred before.
The impact the odour is having on the reporter.
Wind direction and strength.

It is recommended that community reporters use a diary to help remember details of ongoing offensive odour incidences.

EPA will use this information to identify any problems with the landfill that need to be fixed by SITA, the landfill operators. SITA are required by their EPA landfill licence to fix any problems that may be causing offensive odour in the residential area.

EPA may ask individuals reporting offensive odour to sign sworn statements detailing the dates and precise times of the odour and why and how the offensiveness of the odour affects their well being. This is important information we collect to verify the legitimacy of the complaint and may be
used by EPA as evidence in the event of any enforcement action taken in incidences where there is a clear breach of the Environment Protection Act 1970.

EPA is currently developing a online forum about the Hallam Road Landfill which will provide further information, particularly about the Works Approval for the alternate waste treatment facility. We will let you know when this page is up and running.

In the meantime, if you detect offensive odour in your area, please call the Pollution Watch Hotline on 9695 2777.