GREATER Bendigo City Council is standing by its decision to allow a waste plant to operate within metres of the livestock exchange.
“Biosecurity risks were considered at every stage of the approvals processes and will be appropriately managed by Western Composting once operational as they are required to adhere to enforceable conditions attached to both of the approvals,” a spokesperson said on Tuesday. 
“Following objectors withdrawing their VCAT appeals, the Western Composting facility has been approved at Wallenjoe Road, Huntly. 
“The two approvals the facility now has are from the Environment Protection Authority (in terms of the Development Licence) and City of Greater Bendigo (in terms of a planning permit).
“With the benefit of a range of technical reports including a baseline environmental assessment, environmental risk assessment, and odour assessment, both regulators assessed that impacts of the facility were acceptable having regard to impacts on the City of Greater Bendigo owned and operated livestock exchange.”
Agriculture Minister Ros Spence did not respond to the Loddon Herald.