Residents in Dardanup and Ferguson Valley have expressed concern for the region's future, following recent announcements from Cleanway WA.
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Earlier this year, Cleanaway submitted plans to expand its waste facility/landfill site on Banksia Road, Dardanup.
Responding to community backlash over the initial proposal, the company withdrew their plans to pursue a 24-hour operating licence.
They have since begun drawing up a new proposal, to be put to the Joint Development Assessment Panel for approval.
Members of the Dardanup Environmental Action Group have been fighting to ensure a fair outcome for the region and its citizens.
Some residents, who live within a 1-kilometre radius of the site, have had to deal with noise pollution, dust, and fumes emanating from the facility.
"Twenty-something years ago, the shire bought a block of land to store its domestic waste," community member David Birch said.
"The site has really exploded within the past seven or eight years. Every time they've unveiled new plans to expand, we have appealed.
"We believe the new plans are going to change Dardanup. We also believe Cleanaway has a social responsibility to not go with the cheapest options."
Mr Birch said he and many other residents remain uncertain about Dardanup's long-term future.
"There are a lot of social and environmental issues to consider. It's wrong for Cleanaway to affect the community to this extent," he said.
"Dardanup has become a great place because of its level of community spirit.
"These proposals are causing a lot of people to worry about the future."
Resident and Acton South West sales executive Peter Johnston has seen the region grow and change exponentially.
He said further expansions to the tip site could see more people pack up and leave.
"We have got the best underground water. The water is not just for us, it's there for the next 100-200 years. We're afraid that they will pollute it," he said.
"A lot of young families are now thinking of moving out, because of the land prices and the level of toxicity."
Fellow resident Rob Manning said the proposed changes could harm the town and the entire South-West.
"We have been to some very unfulfilling, unsatisfactory meetings with Cleanaway," he said.
"I'm really worried that we could potentially become a dump site for lithium waste.
"In a pristine valley like this one, little things add up. We now have a waste industry that's burgeoning and multiplying.
"This very well could be the beginning of the end for Dardanup."
Cleanaway and the Shire of Dardanup held a special electors meeting at the Dardanup Town Hall earlier this year, giving residents a chance to have their say.
The company also hosted two community meetings, in Dardanup and Ferguson, last month.
Cleanaway WA general manager Damian Burton said the company seeked to address all concerns raised by the community.
"The feedback we have received from the community is important to us and has helped us understand the main community concerns," he said.
"We are in the process of finalising a comprehensive development application to be submitted to the Joint Development Assessment Panel.
"The panel will be consulting with the shire and the community about our application.
"The Environmental Protection Authority is also determining whether our proposal requires a formal environmental impact assessment.
"As part of their process, our application was open for public comment mid to late May 2019."
