Hampton Park landfill investigated by EPA over complaints about its ‘unbearable’ smell
Rising complaints about the smell from a Hampton Park landfill has forced the Environment Protection Authority to issue a “pollution alert” as neighbours say they have had to leave their homes and eat meals elsewhere due to the “sickening” odour.
South East
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The Environment Protection Authority is investigating the Hampton Park landfill for the second time in a month after a slew of complaints from neighbours about its “unbearable smell”.
Dozens of fed-up neighbours say the smell has become too “unbearable” and “horrendous”, with some saying they were planning to move elsewhere.
In May, EPA southern metro region manager Marleen Mathias told the Leader the authority discovered “issues” at the Suez Hallam Rd Landfill site “in contravention of the EPA licence”.
The stench has now gotten so bad the authority issued a “pollution alert” this afternoon.
The Cranbourne Leader visited neighbours living nearby the landfill earlier today, after receiving dozens of complaints last night.
The Leader could smell the overpowering stench.
Marisa Scott, who has lived in Hampton Park for three years, said she had experienced several health issues, which she believed were caused by the landfill.
Ms Scott said the smell was so “disgusting”, her family had to leave the house and eat dinner elsewhere.
POLLUTION ALERT
— EPA Victoria (@EPA_Victoria) June 26, 2019
EPA has received community reports of odour allegedly from the Hallam Rd, Hampton Park landfill.
EPA officers are attending and will investigate.
For info on how to best report odours visit https://t.co/RvVvHApL97 #PollutionAlert pic.twitter.com/Ea3PUivO8Y
“My son and I have had breathing issues, migraines and sore eyes — I never had these issues prior to moving into the area,” Ms Scott said.
“The stench is so bad, even with windows and doors closed — we are definitely thinking of moving.”
Narre Warren South’s Lenti Lenko said he had called the EPA “hundreds of times” since 2011.
Mr Lenko said his family were forced to move out of the area because of the “horrible stench”.
“We moved out of the area because of the ongoing tip smell issue — it was sickening,” Mr Lenko said.
“My wife and I were waking up during the night vomiting because of the smell.”
Mr Lenko said he hoped the EPA would take immediate action on the site.
Another neighbour, Jennifer Kujath, said her car “smelled like the tip”.
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“I can’t seem to get any air through my car. Every time I get in my car I smell the tip. Also just went into the United petrol station and it smells like the tip there too,” Ms Kujath said.
Mayor Amanda Stapledon said the council was keeping a close eye on the issue and would keep neighbours updated.
The EPA said on Twitter: “EPA has received community reports of odour allegedly from the Hallam Rd, Hampton Park landfill. EPA officers are attending and will investigate.”
Suez Victorian infrastructure manager Andrew Carson said workers had been placing clay lining to “encapsulate the waste as well as capture the gas is generated” in accordance with council and EPA conditions.
“Due to the wet weather, it has been difficult to complete this process in the planned time frames,” Mr Carson said.
He said the site had continued to keep the community informed and encouraged direct feedback to SUEZ and the EPA.
Mr Carson said the EPA had done a comprehensive study on the health effects of landfills using this site as a reference, and had reported any adverse health affects.
Casey Council city planning and infrastructure director Peter Fitchett said he encouraged Suez to work with the EPA to address any issues raised through the EPA investigation as soon as possible in the interest of the local community and the environment.
Ms Mathias said the EPA was investigating the cause of odour pollution reports received from the community.
“EPA is also planning detailed site investigations over the coming days,” she said.