The Master Builders Association of Victoria is calling on the State Government to create a new landfill site equipped to store contaminated soil.

The issue will be raised in a submission to an EPA licensing fee review, also urging the regulatory body not to increase landfill levies.

On 1 July 2007, the EPA increased their levies (imposed on landfill operators) for Category B and Category C material by 862 and 169 per cent respectively. The current levy is $250 per tonne for Category B and $70 per tonne for Category C.

“A significant obstacle to project viability in the inner suburbs is the high cost of managing contaminated soil waste,” Master Builders Association of Victoria executive director Brian Welch said.

“A big increase in the levy imposed by the EPA in 2007 forced up the cost of storing contaminated waste, leading to a surge in building costs. During the financial crisis this increase contributed to the postponement and cancellation of some projects.

“Similarly, any rise in the current cost of disposing of contaminated material will mean that many important housing developments, particularly within the inner metro area, may not be viable.

Lyndhurst Landfill is the only site in Victoria equipped to receive contaminated soil. The gate rate for storing Category B contaminated soil at Lyndhurst increased from $715 to $737 per tonne on 1 January (2011) and from $517 to $539 per tonne for Category C material.

“There is a desperate need for a second facility to store contaminated soil. The creation of a second waste storage facility would provide the building industry with the facility it needs to continue to produce the essential housing and infrastructure Victorians need.

“Due to the historical nature of Victoria?s industrialisation, and high levels of arsenic in our soil, brownfield site development here is already considerably more expensive than in any other state.

“We need to address this issue now.”

For more information about the EPA review visit: http://epanote2.epa.vic.gov.au/EPA/Publications.nsf/PubDocsLU/1362?OpenDocument

Architecture & Design Team

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