Marcus Pabian, Melbourne
On March 4, 600 rural residents from three shires converged in front of the Victorian parliament to oppose the state Labor government's plans for a toxic waste dump in rural Victoria.
On November 12, the state government launched its attempt to seize privately owned rural land for the construction of a dump for industrial toxic waste, by sending a letter to residents.
The letter stated the right of the government to compulsorily acquire private land for the toxic dump project. Residents have been resisting the government ever since.
Major Projects Victoria is investigating three sites for the dump. Landowners in the targeted areas of Tiega, near the town of Ouyen, and Buddaginne near Violet Town have stopped officials from entering their land. The government now requires a court order to force their way in. Landowners in the Pittong area are considering similar action.
David Clark, president of the Pyrenees Shire, which covers Pittong — the third site under investigation — told Green Left Weekly that residents had long ago made their opposition clear. On November 26, the government held a public consultation in Linton (population 800), situated near Pittong. The meeting was transformed into a protest against the toxic dump plans when 800 people confronted transport and major projects minister Tim Holding.
The actions of the Labor government have stirred demands for greater democracy in rural areas. Many people exclaimed on March 4: "we were never asked".
Local residents are demanding that an alternate site on public or industrial land be selected by a process they approve of. "We want democracy in the whole process of selecting sites", demanded Clark.
Robyn Machin, from the Violet Town Action Group, told GLW: "The bureaucrats have failed to follow the Western Regional Environment Committee siting criteria." Tony Hall, a resident from Ouyen and member of the No Mallee Toxic Waste Action Group said, "We won't give up until we find an alternate site."
On March 2, Ballarat and Pittong residents came together for a 120-strong meeting, resolving to act in solidarity. Ballarat is on a possible truck route for the transportation of toxic waste to a future Pittong dump. Hilary Hale came from Dandenong to express the support of Residents Against Toxic Waste, who fought against the building of a dump in their area.
All rural shire councils will meet on March 12, when Clark hopes to forge a united position amongst the councils that will put more power in the hands of the rural areas.
[For further information visit <http://www.notoxicdump.com>.]
From Green Left Weekly, March 10, 2004.
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