Anglesea issues urgent battery disposal warning after fires

THE Surf Coast Shire is urging residents to properly dispose of batteries following a series of summer fires caused by incorrect disposal.

The warning comes after two fire emergencies in Anglesea underscored the risks of improper battery disposal.

In one case, a waste collection truck had to be escorted to the Anglesea landfill by the CFA when the driver noticed smoke from the garbage hopper.

In a separate incident, a passer-by raised alarm after seeing smoke coming from the landfill.

Staff responded by using an excavator to expose the smouldering battery and allow CFA officers to douse it with water.

Cr Kate Gazzard said the incidents served as a reminder for people to take care with what they put in their red lid landfill bins.

“These were lucky escapes due to the quick and decisive combined response,” Cr Gazzard said.

“We appeal to anyone sending waste to landfill via kerbside bins, skip bins or a private waste contractor to be careful about what goes into their bins.”

The Victorian government banned e-waste including batteries from landfills in 2019.

“Hazardous items like batteries in general waste bins can cause fires in collection trucks or landfill, putting drivers and staff at risk,” Cr Gazzard said.

“A fire at our landfill site could also potentially spread to surrounding bushland and put nearby communities at risk.

“Fires can also severely disrupt operation of the landfill and Anglesea Transfer Station.

“An emergency at the landfill during operating hours would mean closure of the landfill and transfer station, resulting in interruption to residents’ kerbside bin collections.”

In response to the landfill fire, six CFA trucks and crews were deployed.

Residents and businesses can dispose of various types of batteries for free at Anglesea, Lorne and Winchelsea transfer stations.

Smaller AAA, AA, C, D and nine-volt batteries can be dropped off for free at the shire’s civic office at 1 Merrijig Drive, Torquay, or at participating retail stores.

For more information and a full list of battery recycling locations across the Surf Coast Shire, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/batteries