A petition requesting a Shire of Capel Special Electors Meeting was lodged with Capel shire chief executive officer Paul Sheedy yesterday morning.

The 330 signature-strong petition requested three motions relating to the establishment of a regional waste management facility on Reserve 14076 Goodwood Road, be discussed at the meeting.

Mr Sheedy said the shire president was required to hold the meeting no later than 35 days from the petition being received and he was required to provide at least 14 days local public notice indicating when the meeting will be held.

Mr Sheedy said it was expected the special meeting would be held in late November in the Capel Community Centre.

The petition comes after more than 30 residents attended the October council meeting last week to ask about the decision to seek a management order for the reserve in order to retain $4.2 million in funding. Residents cited concerns about a possible environmental impact, increased traffic on the main road and a potential impact on tourism.

Mr Sheedy said there was a long road and a number of approvals required before the council could make a decision to move forward with the project.

He said it was the nature of the project to “raise angst” in the community.

“I think it shows most of the time residents are happy with what the council is doing, but when there is a contentious issue like this, they do rally up,” Mr Sheedy said.

“We do provide residents with the opportunity to come along and ask questions and they are using that forum which is fine.”