Hundreds gather to protest against a tip near Arthurs Seat

HUNDREDS of people formed a human 'No Tip' sign on Sunday in protest to an application for a landfill near Arthurs Seat.

Protesters wore red to protest against a waste tip in Dromana.

HUNDREDS of people formed a human 'No Tip' sign on Sunday in protest to an application for a landfill near Arthurs Seat.

Rosebud resident Kelly Winsor organised the event in opposition to a proposal for a privately run municipal waste tip at the old Pioneer Quarry.

Ms Winsor said many people along the peninsula were against the proposal and demonstrators gathered wearing red at Hillview Community Reserve, Boundary Rd in Dromana about midday.

"I thought it was really important to know the decision makers and the powers that be could see it's an entire community that opposes it, rather than just the people who are actively fighting it," she said.

"I've only come across a couple of people who disagree."

Protesters wore red to protest against a waste tip in Dromana.

Early this month about 250 people gathered at a conference to discuss concerns with the proposal, including the impact on flora and fauna at Arthurs Seat, risk of fire, water contamination and leachate.

EPA Victoria chief executive John Merritt had said at the meeting he was "particularly aware of the community angst".

The proponent, Peninsula Waste Management, an offshoot of the R.E. Ross Trust, wants to establish the tip.

Peninsula Waste Management Development Manager David Maltby said the group was concerned about the public opposition to the proposed landfill site.

"Obviously we're concerned and we acknowledge the community concern. I think it shows that we need to work harder to get our message out that the site can built and run safely," he said.

"The need for our landfill is clear. We're still going through an approvals process and our view is that we can demonstrate that our site will meet all the EPA and town planning requirements."

Peninsula Preservation Group member Mary Karamitsios said the community wanted to show that the opposition was widespread.

"This is the wrong place and nobody wants it," she said.

"There is mounting opposition to this proposal, because this community is becoming well informed and aware of the inappropriateness of putting a landfill in this region and it is not necessary, it is purely a commercial venture."