ODOUR complaints against a Killara composting plant have significantly reduced in the past year, but a recent Wodonga Council survey contends it is still a problem.
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A report to be tabled at the council’s Monday night meeting shows complaints about Greenchip Recycling in Whytes Road had decreased by about a third from 2013 to last year.
The graph, supplied by the Environment Protection Authority, shows odour complaints peaked in December 2013 at about 90; by December last year, they had dropped to 60.
It was a similar story when comparing May-December of each year; the beginning of 2014, however, showed a small spike in the number of complaints of between 30 and 40, as opposed to 20 in 2013.
Spikes coincided with when community consultations were held.
A council survey of 81 Killara residents last month, however, stated 69 people had been affecetd by odours since July last year; 24 also stated they believed the odours had improved.
The report forms part of the council’s meeting agenda, available on its website, and is the latest in regular updates council staff provide to councillors on the ongoing Greenchip battle.
It comes as The Border Mail yesterday reported the green waste recycling plant had had a win over the council at their latest Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal case.
VCAT approved a planning permit to build a new shed and three silos on site after the council failed to consider it in time, and advised it would have refused it regardless.
The tribunal said the new works would further reduce the risk of odours.
The two parties have faced of at VCAT at least four times in recent years.
One matter remains outstanding.
A hearing has been scheduled for May 1.
