The High Court of Australia has dismissed a special leave application that sought to challenge the legal validity of a works approval to extend Cleanaway’s Melbourne Regional Landfill in Ravenhall.
In June 2017, the Planning Minister for Victoria issued planning approval for the extension of landfilling operations at Melbourne Regional Landfill until 2046, or such earlier time as the landfill’s capacity is exhausted.
“This planning approval remains on foot. Both planning and works approvals are required to enable ongoing operations,” a Cleanaway statement reads.
The High Court yesterday confirmed the validity of the works approval, first granted to Cleanaway by EPA Victoria in March 2017, and following a review application, granted by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in June 2019.
“Cleanaway has also successfully defended challenges to the decision to grant the works approval in the Victorian Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal,” the statement reads.
“The High Court decision today finally resolves this matter, securing critical airspace for managing Melbourne’s residual waste streams into the future.”
Cleanaway Chief Operating Officer Brendan Gill said the company welcomed the High Court decision, “confirming that the Melbourne Regional Landfill can continue to provide an essential waste service for the community well into the future.”
Gill added that securing the site’s continued long‐term operations supports Cleanaway’s Footprint 2025 Strategy.
“The site is a waste management hub of state importance that provides critical waste management services, including for residual waste streams that cannot be recycled,” he said.
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