Australia’s Victoria State has finally conceded that its EPA has to act to clear Australia’s largest tyre dump at Stawell. However, as the EPA move in to clear the huge stockpile that has been making headlines around the world for several years, the residents of Numarkah, are up in arms about the state’s second largest tyre dump.
Situation Worsening for Numarkah Residents
The town has a population of 4,500 and residents have been complaining about their tyre dump for the past 10 years. The history of the dump is complex and involves a local family who have variously been involved in failed property deals, a failed tyre reclamation operation, and assorted other affairs that attracted the attention of the press and the police, and in one case resulted in the family having to pay a $52m fine for a tax scam according to the local newspaper, The Shepperton News.
The family amassed some 400,000 passenger tyre units at the roadside plot in the small Victorian township. Whilst the volume is considerably less than that at Stawell, the site, nonetheless, poses a huge risk to the local population, according to local residents and media.
Unfortunately, the permission for the site was given by the local council some years ago. “It’s the biggest bloody eyesore we’ve had in Numurkah,” former councillor Bill Gread said.
In a statement from the Sidebottom Group, 33-year-old Shanan Sidebottom, said that since he took control for the waste tyre stockpile in May 2015, he has been able to remove 732 tonnes of the 5650 tonnes on the property.
The fire management plan was approved by the CFA and had passed inspection.
“We are working closely with the current Moira Shire councillors and staff, EPA and CFA to monitor the removal progress and explore all avenues for legitimate recycling and repurposing for the tyres,” he wrote.
Source: The Shepperton News
