Neighbours question green wedge

by Aidan Knight

Residents living near an industrial-style depot, in a green wedge area of Bunyip, are calling for greater scrutiny and action around operation of the site.

Concerns surrounding alleged environmental harm and the potential for polluted run-off to enter the nearby Bunyip River, have arisen among surrounding neighbours to the property.

Several neighbouring landholders told The Gazette they were concerned about Cardinia Shire's non-action on the site, dating back to 2014, and spanning three separate owners. The site was originally permitted by Cardinia Shire to be used as a trades depot allowing storage of vehicles inside a shed.

"We're all quite concerned about toxic runoff going into the (Bunyip) river," said one neighbour when meeting with the Gazette on their property. The residents, who asked not to be named, said they believed the property had moved beyond the use originally approved for it.

They also were unanimous in opinions the terrain's physical limitation added to the potential harm caused by the operation. "It's so boggy, I guess anything (of waste substance) would simply seep into the ground and makes it's way into the river."

With some neighbouring properties registered with Trust for Nature, the owners are concerned sections of the river may be holding pollution.

Meluca Big Bins managing director Luke Shone confirmed the business was storing big bins at the A'Beckett Rd site but said there was "no rubbish there, just actual bins."

The concerns reignited debate about the type of activities that should be permitted in the green wedge zone, with residents arguing the site's appearance and operations were inconsistent with the area's environmental values.

"If green wedge means you can have a business like this on it, then it really doesn't mean anything", an immediate neighbour said.

Cardinia Shire Council would not comment on the matter but both council and the EPA confirmed they were aware of the operation and were currently investigating.
In August, the EPA suspended the registration for Meluca Recycling's Drouin transfer station.

An EPA spokesperson said the Drouin site was not authorised to receive waste and any waste collected by the company in skip bins must be taken to a facility lawfully authorised to receive that waste.

The spokesperson said EPA officers had inspected the company's Bunyip site twice in the past four months to assess compliance with its registration.

"During both inspections, the waste types and volumes observed were within the limits permitted under the registration. Officers did not observe discoloured water leaving the site at the time of either inspection.

"Cardinia Shire Council is currently leading assessments into the Bunyip site. EPA remains actively involved and will consider whether any further regulatory action is required following the outcome of Council assessment," the EPA spokesperson stated.

While the State Government allows for a variety of business operations on 'green wedge' land, the Planning and Environmental Act 1879 prohibits the following:
Standard urban retail shops and supermarkets.

General corporate offices.
Standard urban warehouses and industrial storage.
Heavy manufacturing or standard commercial restaurants not linked to local agriculture or a winery.
Cardinia Shire recently announced it's intentions to prepare a new Green Wedge Management Plan, specifically targeting the municipality's Southern Ranges region - which encompasses Bunyip.
While Mayor Brett Owen declared "preserving and supporting productive non-urban land remains a key priority," residents believe there were inconsistencies between council messaging and enforcement.