A public muting regarding the an grove Mountain Landfill will be held at tie Mangrove Mountain Hall, from 7pm, on November 28.
The Mangrove Mountain and Districts Association is hosting the public meeting to discuss recent developments at the site and how to craft a submission opposing the application. The matter is in the Land and Environment Court (LEC) and a recent court order has resulted in an application by the Landfill operator to have the environment protection licence for the site varied.
If approved, the operator would be able to expand the site, and according to the Mountain Districts Association this would allow for a further 1.3 million tonnes of rubbish to be brought to the site. Other issues to be raised by the Association include the potential impact on the water catchment, traffic chaos, noise and dust pollution, and other disruptions to the community and environment.
The purpose of this meeting is for members of the public to make a submission opposing the licence application, as well as bringing them up to date with what is happening. Association Spokesperson, Dr Stephen Goodwin, said the meeting was an opportunity for the Central Coast community to make their voice heard.
“At long last, concerned Central Coast residents have an opportunity to have their say about the highly contentious Landfill that sits in the catchment of the Central Coast water supply at Mangrove Mountain Golf Course.”
“It was the landfill operator, Verde Terra, that made the request,” Dr Goodwin said. “It was they who brought this matter before the court, seeking to have their application for a variation of the Environment Protection Licence put out for public consultation. “Presumably, this is a box which needed to be ticked “However, the EPA advertisement placed in papers is not very helpful and neither is the EPA website, that contains relevant documents, but with no advice on now to make a submission,” said Dr Goodwin.
“It is not necessary for anyone to actually read either the application or the multitude of supporting documents that are on the EPA website, in order to make a submission,” he added. Dr Goodwin said the most important part of the meeting will be a Question and Answer session, where attendees can ask questions relevant to them and seek clarification on any matters surrounding the landfill and its history. Central Coast Mayor, Jane Smith, Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, and Greens’ spokesperson, Cate Faerhrnann, will all be guest speakers at the meeting.
“This may be the only opportunity residents get to voice their objections and be heard by the court. “Don’t just leave it to the EPA and Central Coast Council lawyers to fight in your corner. “If this was a referendum, I would say we are after a resounding no vote. “In saying no to the licence application, the public is also saying no to the landfill “Without a licence, the landfill will not be allowed to re-open and hopefully this will spell the end of this long running environmental dispute that threatens the future health of the Central Coast water supply,” Dr Goodwin concluded.
Document, Nov 14 Mangrove Mountain and Districts Association Public Meeting invitation Media release, Nov 20 Dr Stephen Goodwin, Mangrove Mountain and Districts Association