Hornsby Council and NSW Environmental Protection Authority investigate dump site in Geelans Rd, Arcadia
RESIDENTS are in uproar after their sleepy rural street was transformed into what they claim is a dumping ground in Arcadia – and are calling on Hornsby Council to take action to stop it.
Hills Shire
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RESIDENTS are in uproar after their sleepy rural street was transformed into what they claim is a dumping ground in Arcadia.
Arcadia resident Shanna Staples and owners of neighbouring properties of Geelans Rd met Hornsby Council and Hornsby state Liberal MP Matt Kean last month after issuing complaints about a “dumping ground”. “We believe an illegal tip is operating at the site,” Ms Staples said.
“We want the trucks to stop entering our street and for the owners to fix up the mess that they have made,” she said. “We want them to go away.”
Mr Kean said he was concerned after seeing the site last week.
“Since visiting the site I have spoken to Minister for Planning Anthony Roberts who will do a full review of council’s consent of the original development application,” Mr Kean said.
Mr Kean said he had also requested Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton get the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to immediately test the materials being dumped. He said he had also spoken with police about trucks accessing the site.
A Hornsby Council spokesman said it granted approval for “landform modification’’.
“There has been significant concern within the community regarding the development works,” he said. “These concerns include, but are not limited to, truck movements and haulage routes; excavation; noise and vibration; air quality; fill quality, volumes and levels; impacts on trees; damage to local roads; and use of the site for commercial dog kennels. The spokesman said council officers met the planner and site supervisor last week to see “an immediate halt to excavation” and “an immediate halt to truck movements associated with the transportation of fill to and from the site”.
“The proponent will prepare a quantity survey to identify the additional fill material required to be transported to the site to meet the new finished level, with a schedule of truck movements where any further fill is required,” he said.
An EPA spokesman said initial test results showed there might be contaminants in the soil but “more testing is required to confirm the makeup ”.
“The EPA is satisfied that while the material may not strictly meet the Resource Recovery Exemption Order, it does not present an immediate risk to the local environment or human health,” he said.
The spokesman said the issue was investigated by the EPA because initial sampling suggested that materials might not comply with excavation requirements because it might be contaminated and possibly did not meet Resource Recovery Exemption requirements
“Material that does not fit the stringent requirements of this exemption must be disposed of at a licensed waste facility.,” he said.
The property owner, David Levy was contacted by the Advocate for comment but did not respond before deadline.
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