The multi-national company is convinced odour and stormwater issues raised by objectors can be overcome.

Cleanaway responded yesterday to the councillors’ unanimous opposition on grounds including the lack of investigation of alternative sites.

The Joint Regional Planning Panel, chaired by former state minister Pam Allan, will meet at Culcairn on August 22 to consider Cleanaway’s development application for a site to be used by Albury, Wodonga, Corowa and Indigo councils.

Objectors will have 28 days to lodge an appeal in the Land and Environment Court if the application is approved.

The applicant has six months to appeal if the application is rejected.

Greater Hume has not signed up to use the facility proposed for Paterson Road.

Cleanaway said it was committed to sustainable waste management practices.

“The proposed composting facility will significantly reduce waste to landfill, by enabling household kitchen and garden organic material from local residents to be recycled using best practice enclosed composting vessels,” the company said.

“Using the high technology Gore fabric, the process is fully enclosed so there are no uncontrolled emissions to the environment, ensuring compliance with odour, stormwater, groundwater and land management regulations.

“Last year, Cleanaway conducted a nine-month trial using this technology in Wodonga with no odour issues raised during this period.

“It was in an area 650 metres from residential areas and the new proposed facility is over 2.3 kilometres from the nearest sensitive receptor.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority has issued general terms of approval.

Mayor Heather Wilton said last night the council had given the proposal serious consideration.

“We didn’t want to be biased and wanted to look at it in a very logical way,” she said.

“I don’t disagree with the concept because we have to deal with waste in a better and more modern way, but why do it on prime farm land?

“I am sure there is a spot in another area that can accommodate it just as easily.”