Tyre Recycle Tasmania appealing council's decision

The council approved the proposal for a shredder to shred and to remove the tyres, with strict conditions last week.

The stockpile is to be removed by December 2020, closing the businesses at Woolmers Lane.

The permit also requires at least 175,000 tyres to be removed every four months and a bond of $200,000 to be paid within 30 days of the permit taking effect. The shredder is not to operate without the bond being paid beforehand.

Tyres are also not to be transported to the site until the shredder is operational, contrary to the Tyre Recycle Tasmania’s proposal. 

Mayor David Downie said the business manager Tim Chugg was entitled to appeal the decision.

“That’s his right, and any changes will be up to the tribunal,” Cr Downie said.  

Tasmanian Conservation Trust director Peter McGlone said he had “fully expected” the decision to be appealed but doesn’t see where there is leeway to the council’s requirements. 

“I think that these things work both ways - the right to take appeal whether you’re affected by a third party like I am or you’re the proponent. The rights of appeal are very important. We fully respect having the complaints heard,” he said.  

“I don’t think you could see it as legitimate to remove those conditions, he’s been given nearly four years. I think they absolutely have to stay there.”

Mr McGlone said he was disappointed by the small bond required.

“We understand that another tyre business put a quote in to shred and remove those tyres and it was costed at $2 million. So I think the bond should be bigger, the $200,000 would only cover the cost of putting them in dump trucks and taking them to the tip.”

The bond will be used by the council if tyres are not removed by the 2020 deadline. 

Mr Chugg said he was unable to comment because the decision was in the process of being appealed. 

The permit was to take effect on February 8.