Staley: Action needed on tyre dump

Member for Ripon Louise Staley has submitted a petition to State Parliament signed by almost 1000 Stawell residents calling on the government to take action on a Stawell tyre dump.

Ms Staley said the petition demanded the government complete all outstanding paperwork, permits and approvals to allow the tyres to be removed from the site as soon as possible.

The petition was signed by 998 Stawell and district residents concerned about fire risk and environmental issues stemming from the tyre pile.

Ms Staley said more than nine-million used tyres sit in Stawell because of inaction by the government in dealing with Used Tyre Recycling Corporation plans to shred the tyres into ‘carbon black’.

She said the sheer number of signatures on the petition was a clear message from the Stawell community that it wanted this situation fixed ‘urgently’.

“The community of Stawell has had enough,” Ms Staley said.

“The Andrews Government needs to actively assist in getting this vital project back on track.

“If the tyre dump caught fire it would be burning for weeks, blanketing Stawell in toxic fumes.

“This is why every fire season extra Country Fire Authority resources are assigned to prevent the igniting.

“Getting this project going will not only remove an environmental hazard, it will create jobs in Stawell.

“It’s high time Daniel Andrews and the Environment Minister stopped procrastinating and got on with the job of getting this project back on track.

“Stawell residents have waited long enough, this project cannot be delayed any further.” pile from