HOUSING developers will be able to build closer to Wodonga’s former tip as a result of a decision taken by the city’s council last week.
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The council approved a reduction of the existing 500-metre buffer to 250 metres at its October 20 meeting.
It follows increased developer interest in extending into the buffer zone, although there were no permits or applications before the council.
The motion also states developers be advised of the auditor’s report and its recommendations including their responsibility to undertake independent due diligence.
Wodonga landfill closed in 2005 and the site is council owned.
Rehabilitation work was first carried out in 2007, including the installation of a gas venting system, while the final round of rehabilitation work was completed in 2010.
During late 2010, and following a gas incident at a closed landfill near Melbourne, new state guidelines were introduced by the Environment Protection Authority.
These guidelines placed a 500-metre buffer around closed landfills, which restricted activities and development within this zone until a gas risk assessment had been undertaken.
This buffer distance could be varied if findings of a risk assessment confirmed a reduction was appropriate.
The purpose of a buffer distance for closed landfills is to protect surrounding land use from the migration and accumulation of landfill gas, in particular, methane.
Residential development in the area, referred to as Whenby Grange, has occurred up to the 500-metre buffer zone, but there are no planning permits with the council for areas inside the buffer zone.
Most of the land, but not all, around the site is zoned residential.
A gas risk assessment was completed in May, 2012, which revealed a low risk existed.
In August 2012, GHD Pty Ltd considered the landfill low to medium risk and so the buffer could be reduced to 250 metres along the northern zone of the landfill.
It recommended a buffer of 100 metres be maintained.
In August, 2012, councillors expressed some reservations about the risks which the council may expose itself to.
However, following further monitoring of gas levels and groundwater monitoring, the council once again asked an auditor to consider and make recommendations that have now been accepted.
