Metal recycling company IMMIX makes bid to amend original permit for old saleyards site in Wodonga

The company, which began operations two years ago, has lodged an application with Wodonga Council to amend its original planning permit.

The council sold the saleyards site to Immix, which was previously based in Albury, with final settlement on the deal expected to be completed later this year.

Tensions have existed between Riverside residents and Immix since the factory opened and late last year it was fined more than $8000 by the Environment Protection Authority for issues relating to noise and stock piling of metals on the site.

Residents' biggest complaint is noise with Kirsten Wren resorting to wearing earplugs at night.

"I can hear the metal dropping at night," she said.

Operation and layout changes proposed in the application include removing any restriction on the number of truck movements between 7am to 10pm but maintain a restriction on truck movements between 10pm and 7am.

Also, trucks accessing the site between 10pm and 7am would be required to travel via the Kiewa Valley Highway, away from Riverside.

Stock-piling changes are also proposed following consultation with a fire engineer as are deleting from an on-site inventory the date and time waste is transported in and out, source of the waste, load number details, vehicle registration and load destination.

"The proposed site layout has been designed to achieve full compliance with council and EPA regulations relating to noise and safety and will also result in the provision of substantial landscaping in setbacks," the company, which employs 22 people, said in a statement.

"Existing environmental and planning policy strongly supports the reuse and recycling of materials and the avoidance of waste going to landfills.

"In this context IMMIX has been successful in securing a share of the market in metal recyclables.

"The changes are proposed to better accommodate its existing operations and the future growth anticipated within the recycling industry.".

The scrap metal plant is permitted due to its location within an industrial zone.

The council has also instigated action against IMMIX in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Residents are also upset with council not notifying them about the application to amend the planning permit when other nearby estates did.

"We've been fighting this from day one," Stern Strauss said.

"The prevailing wind drives the sound towards us. There needs to be a full environment impact statement."

Sue Phillips said residents shouldn't have to wear earplugs to block noise being generated from the factory.

"The simple fact of the matters is we should be able to enjoy the quiet environment of our home," she said.

"There is always noise during a day, but it stops in the afternoon.

"There is no consideration by council for residents who live in this estate.

"(IMMIX) is taking conditions out, but what are they replacing them with? This should be a brand new permit application."

Council chief executive Mark Dixon said it had gone above and beyond its requirements to notify affected residents.

"Notifications were sent to a radius of 500m from the boundaries of the subject site which is wider than the original notification and consistent with other similar use types," he said.

"It was also placed in a Saturday edition of The Border Mail with all details on the council's website.

"The council is required to consider all planning submissions and welcomes the community's feedback."