The Surf Coast Council has identified major funding and planning gaps for waste management in the shire.
In a report to go before councillors at Tuesday night’s meeting it’s been identified that “insufficient funds” are available to manage the closure of the Anglesea tip, which is expected to reach capacity in 2027.
A similar lack of planning contingencies exists at council’s Torquay Transfer Station on Messmate Road, that needs to expand so it can cater to the growing region and population, but currently has “no funds” allocated towards planning.
Several other issues with the Torquay site are identified in the report including that it is surrounded by the Messmate Road Future Settlement area of 600 residential lots. The EPA is also reviewing separation distances between houses and industry that could potentially increase the buffer from 250 metres to 500 metres.
“This separation distance increase will place limitations on residential development in the Messmate Road Future Settlement area,” the report notes.
“The siting of a transfer station so close to a residential area may also create amenity issues.
“As development planning is underway for the Messmate Road Future Settlement area, an investigation into alternative options for a future Torquay Transfer Station is proposed.”
The report recommends council approves planning funds of $190,000 to the projects.
