Transpacific Cleanaway announced at a meeting last Tuesday it would close the site immediately and halt waste collection, giving relief to residents determined to see the land rehabilitated.

The meeting involved residents, action groups, the Environment Protection Authority, the council and State Environment Minister Gavin Jennings.

Terminate Tulla Toxic Dump Action Group spokeswoman Kaylene Wilson said the closure was "absolutely fantastic''.

"It's great news and it has been a community effort fought with guts. But it's not over.''

Western Region Environment Centre director Harry van Moorst welcomed the announcement but said the community needed to play an "important watchdog role'' over the next few years to ensure the site was cleaned properly.

He said the site was leaking and needed to be monitored.

"It's all very good news and is a credit to local community activists. It's long overdue, [but] we need to still keep a close eye on it. There is still leachate, which needs to be removed as soon as possible.''

Calling the announcement a "historic'' win for residents living close to the landfill, Hume Mayor Mohamad Abbouche said the council would keep the pressure on to ensure the site was restored to health.

``This is a historic occasion for the Hume community, for the environment and in particular for the residents in Gladstone Park, Westmeadows and Tullamarine,'' he said.

"Transpacific Industries' decision to close the landfill isn't just about shutting the gates and throwing away the key. We need to make sure that the community is included and has input into the rehabilitation plans for the site and that the local environment is protected.

"The council, together with the community, will hold Transpacific Industries to its promise to cap the landfill as quickly as possible and to work in consultation with the community to rehabilitate the site.''

Cleanaway general manager Matthew Whelan declined to comment to Hume Weekly.

Acceptance of waste at the site was suspended in February following reports that the landfill was full and Transpacific Cleanaway was stockpiling 15,000 cubic metres of contaminated waste.

The site had been ordered to close by June 2010.