The Labor Minister for Environment Reece Whitby has failed to answer questions from local MP
Mia Davies in Parliament this week on when a final decision will be made on the York tip proposal.
In Question Time this week, Ms Davies called on the Minister to make it clear when the community
could expect a decision given the Environmental Protection Agency had provided its
recommendation.
“The proposal to build a tip at the entrance of the York community threatens to disrupt and damage
a pristine agricultural and tourism destination,” Ms Davies said.
The Environmental Protection Agency made its recommendation on the project in May this year,
and the Minister has upheld it’s decision after the matter had been considered by the Appeals
Convener.
“The Minister for Environment confirmed he is the final decision maker, but avoided answering the
question as to what the timeline for this will be,” Ms Davies said.
“I asked him directly if he would make a decision before the end of the calendar year and he
refused to answer.
“The Minister is dragging his heels and leaving the community in limbo when it is clear that the
proposal should be rejected.”
Ms Davies said the Minister was required to take the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
recommendation into consideration, but could also consider other factors in making a final
determination.
“Along with a petition with over 700 signatures rejecting the proposal, I’d point to the fact it doesn’t
conform to the Shire of York’s planning scheme and has already been rejected by the Mid West
and Wheatbelt Joint Development Assessment Panel,” she said.
“Approving a new tip site would also fly in the face of the Government’s own policy to work toward
a reduction in waste via FOGO bins, recycling, Containers for Change and other initiatives.”
Ms Davies said the Minister should put the community out of their misery and reject the proposal.
