Illegal rubbish dump in Kilsyth still operating despite shutdown call

AN illegal rubbish dump in Kilsyth is still operating despite being ordered to shut down last month.

Residents have been protesting against the illegal tip. Picture: Steve Tanner

AN illegal rubbish dump in Kilsyth is still operating despite being ordered to shut down last month.

Yarra Ranges Council inspectors went to the site last Wednesday to find it was still operating.

RELATED: Illegal Kilsyth tip ordered to shut

But it’s not clear what penalties the owner will face, or what action will now be taken, as the council has not responded to Leader’s inquiries.

Nearby resident Val Gibson told the Leader last week neighbours had reported continued action at the site.

“I’ve heard from a close-by resident the place has been operating or doing something on Sunday morning,” Ms Gibson said.

“It’s not supposed to be operating at all.”

Ms Gibson said a lot more rubbish had piled up recently and she said the owner wasn’t taking the council seriously.

“It’s an indictment on council the fact it’s been able to go on for so long, and it can’t continue,” Ms Gibson said.

In October, angry councillors refused the owner a permit to operate a skip bin hire business from the site which had been running illegally for two years.

The council has previously said it would take the owner to court if he refused to stop operating.

The Leader previously reported people living near the industrial site were furious rubbish was piling up, and had complained to the council and the EPA about the smell.

Neighbours also had concerns about toxic dust, rubbish spilling from the site, groundwater seepage, health and safety issues, and near-miss crashes with trucks.

The Environment Protection Authority and the tip owner have been contacted for comment.