South West community fighting to prevent Cleanaway Dardanup landfill expansion plans

A South West environmental group claims a leading waste management organisation has “declared war” on the community by applying to expand the dump in Dardanup. The “gateway to the Ferguson Valley”, Dardanup is known for its green rolling hills and array of wineries and breweries. But towering over the community is the 121ha Banksia Road Waste Management Facility, dubbed Mount Rubbishmore by locals. Cleanaway manages the site and has applied to the Regional Joint Development Assessment Panel for approval to develop three extra cells for landfill. If approved, the new additions will bring the finished top of waste height to 149m AHD. The site is already on a severe gradient, high on the western-facing slope of the Whicher Scarp. Dardanup Environmental Action Group spokeswoman Fiona Moriarty encouraged concerned community members to submit to the public comment period, which ends 4pm Thursday. “Cleanaway is trying to say the increase will be incremental in the landscape, but the reality is it’s got to stop,” she said. Ms Moriarty said the community believed Cleanaway had reached its capacity at the site. “It damages the branding of Dardanup and the Ferguson Valley,” she said. “The area is recognised a one of the top tourist destinations and this is a terrible waste of an asset.” A Cleanaway spokesman said the company had worked closely with the Shire to form its masterplan for the site and the proposed cell development plan was included in the Shire’s Local Development Plan. He said development approval would allow for continued operation of the facility, which was an essential service for the community. “Further development activities mean more local jobs and more support for local businesses through the generation of local economic activity,” he said. The spokesman said the cells had been discussed with the Dardanup Community Reference Group for the past 12 months. He said the group continued to meet and provided a forum for Cleanaway to “engage in an open and transparent manner” with community representatives about the site and plans. Cleanaway is currently approved for 350,000 tonnes of landfill waste per year at the facility. Submissions can be made via email to submissions@dardanup.wa.gov.au.