NEWS DESK
Don’t panic on China crisis FRANKSTON residents should be alert but not alarmed at this stage about the developing recycling crisis at other municipalities across Victoria, according to Frankston Council. Council says households should “recycle right” in response to China’s tighter controls on imported recycled materials and can help by rinsing bottles, cans, jars and plastics to “help reduce contamination of recyclables”. Several councils elsewhere have been told by Visy that the company no longer accepts recycling due to China banning the import of waste from Australia. Frankston Council’s recycling contractor is Solo Resource recovery but the Municipal Association of Victoria has warned ratepayers across the state may end up footing a higher rates bill for recycling as the China crisis unfolds. “The recycling restrictions imposed by China will be felt statewide and it’s going to require all three levels of government, industry and the community working together on solutions,” council CEO Dennis Hovenden said. He said council is working with recycling processors and the state government “to minimise the impact in Frankston”. Recyclables should be kept loose in yellow-lidded bins and not put in plastic bags first. If recyclables are bagged, they are likely to end up in landfill. Householders can help reduce waste by using reusable drink bottles and coffee cups, buying products made with recycled content such as copy paper and toilet paper and avoiding products with excess packaging. See frankston.vic.gov.au/reducewaste
Foam factory faces closure Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au A SEAFORD polystyrene making factory subject to complaints about noise and pollution from neighbours seems set to shut down its operations next month. Frankston Council has refused a grant a planning permit application to operate within 30 metres of a residential area. The business Wuzhou Australia applied to council for the permit last July despite operating at 6-7 Apsley Place premises for the past five years (“Neighbours ‘fume’ over factory noise”, The Times 22/1/18). The mayor Cr Colin Hampton said council has ordered the business owner to “cease use of the land by 12 April”. “Council has taken on board concerns raised by residents and a Notice of Refusal to grant a permit was issued on 9 February due to council not being satisfied that the business could operate in a way which would not impact upon the amenity of the area,” the mayor said. Neighbours also complained about a barking guard dog at the factory. A recent court case found the business guilty of having no enclosure for the dog, no warning signs displayed and no collar for the guard dog. The business owner was fined $1000 plus $122 costs. Council hosted a meeting with residents on 27 February to discuss complaints and advise a planning permit
Write up the Wazhou: Frankston Council has informed Seaford factory to cease using premises for polystyrene making.
had been refused. Neighbours have been perplexed about Wuzhou Australia’s ability to operate its business without a council permit in Seaford for the past five years despite repeatedly raising concerns with council. Environment Protection Authority Victoria officers also attended the meeting with residents in Seaford late last month. “EPA outlined that the site did not require formal approval or a licence from EPA to operate,” EPA southern metro region manager Marleen Mathias said.
The agency had inspected the premises twice in 2014, once in 2015 and once in July 2017 at council’s request. “EPA was requested to undertake air quality testing around the Wuzhou Australia premises in Apsley Place, Seaford,” Mr Mathias said. “EPA will work with Frankston Council to manage issues arising from the Wuzhou foam site until the site shuts down or moves to new premises.” Seaford Community Committee chairman Noel Tudball, who addressed councillors at a December public council meeting on behalf of frustrated
residents, said “everyone involved is extremely pleased with this decision and are very hopeful that the operator will accept council’s decision, respect the residents’ right to quiet enjoyment of their properties, will accept that this is not the right location for this type of manufacturing process and will relocate very shortly”. The business can appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) against council’s decision. “Everyone also hopes that the operator will not exercise their right of appeal, which would only require council taking further steps to force the operator to relocate,” Mr Tudball said. He said council officers advised “steps will be taken” to ensure a business does not operate without a planning permit for such a long time in future. “No-one had any issue with the operator. It is only the polystyrene manufacturing and its waste products, odour and noise that has been of concern.” Wuzhou factory manager Joe Zhou did not return calls last week. In January, he said the company is a small business employing seven people including two who live in Seaford and he was worried council would shut it down. “If I knew this was going to happen I never would have opened here,” Mr Zhou said at the time.
Barbie bewdy: Karella Coffee’s Sally Taylor, left, and Frankston Council’s Andrew Peterson get to know neighbours Michelle Fechner and Dawn Donaldson ahead of Neighbours Day. Picture: Yanni
Everybody needs good neighbours THROW another shrimp on the barbie and get to know your neighbours. That’s the message from Frankston Council ahead of Neighbours Day on Sunday 25 March. Council is encouraging residents to take part in the day by hosting a street barbecue, picnic in a park, community event or even just a cup of coffee or tea with neighbours. “We encourage all residents to get to know their neighbours,” the mayor Cr Colin Hampton said. “If you don’t know the person who lives next door or across the street, this is the chance to make a special effort to introduce yourself.”
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Council is offering Neighbours Day participants the chance to win a $100 BBQ pack including a meat tray, veggie burgers, loaves of bread, sauces and a voucher for a barbecue gas bottle refill. “All you need to do is gather your neighbours,” Cr Hampton said. Neighbour Day is Australia’s annual celebration of community aimed at people connecting with those who live nearby to promote a welcoming, supportive and safe community. Applications to win the BBQ pack close on Wednesday 14 March at frankston.vic.gov.au online.