Further delay to EPA response for Wonthaggi’s EAO fiasco

IN ITS ‘Update 3’ to affected residents on May 10, the Bass Coast Shire Council promised a response from the EPA by May 22.

But yesterday the council issued ‘Update 4’ in which it explained that the response had been further delayed until “later this week”.

As many people are urgently waiting on an official response before getting on with selling or buying a property, building or deciding to go ahead and conduct their own Preliminary Risk Screen Assessment, the news of a further delay will come as very disappointing.

Here’s what the Bass Coast Shire Council said in its ‘EAO Update 4 (May 21, 2024).

“I am writing to provide an update on the ongoing discussions Bass Coast Shire Council is having with Government authorities regarding the Wonthaggi North-East Environmental Audit Overlay.

“The EPA today updated Council on their continuing work to review the information available, specifically the 2016 GHD background report, to provide advice to VPA about whether the land requires an EAO. The EPA is still expecting to complete this review this week and we will advise quickly on the outcome.

“As previously advised the EPA advice will be used by VPA to consider whether the EAO should remain in place.

“In the meantime, we are continuing to work with the VPA on a solution to complete Preliminary Risk Screen Assessments (PSRA) on any remaining land after the EPA review that requires them with little to no impact on property owners.

“Thank you for your patience while we work through this complex issue. We are comfortable we will be able to provide you with more information later this week.

“We continue to add further information to our website page Environmental Audit Overlay (EAO) | Bass Coast Shire.

“Regards, Greg Box, Chief Executive Officer”.