Residents living near a toxic waste dump in Melbourne's north are demanding a health impact study amid concerns of a cancer cluster in their community. Opponents of the Tullamarine Hazardous Waste Landfill, which is now closed, have conducted a study showing residents living near the site have a cancer rate four times higher than the Melbourne average.

The study - completed by the Western Region Environment Centre - was based on a 2007 survey of just 54 selected respondents and newspaper clippings. It identified 74 cases of cancer, including 33 deaths, within a four-kilometer radius of the landfill. However, the report's authors admit the results are not conclusive and the study has limitations. "Nevertheless, the existence of a significant number of cancer clusters combined with an indicative cancer rate that is four times the Broad meadows or Melbourne cancer incidence rate should provide sufficient grounds for serious concern and it should serve as a call to action from the government," the report said.

Residents want the government to undertake its own health study targeting communities in the immediate vicinity of the landfill and say previous reports have been too broad. But Acting Premier Rob Hulls downplayed the need for any further investigation into the landfill, which was sealed in 2008. "I understand the Department of Health's review didn't show any concerns and I think there was consultation with the community at the time," he said. "As far as I am aware there is no plan for a further immediate review because a thorough review was undertaken in 2006 and I have no doubt the site is continually monitored."