Wanatta Lane Central Waste Facility Draws Closer
Independent Assessment of Waste Facility Submissions About to Start
November 30, 2007: Orange-based company Geolyse has been appointed to independently assess a development application submitted by Bega Valley Shire Council for its proposed Central Waste Facility at Wanatta Lane.
The development application is being independently assessed because Council is both the proponent and the consent authority for the proposed facility.
Council’s Acting Group Manager Planning, Development and Environmental Services Tony McDermott said that assessment would be followed by a comprehensive report to Council.
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Mr McDermott said that Geolyse was recognised for its wide-ranging reporting on a broad range of industry sectors with particular emphasis on environmental, planning and engineering designs.
“Geolyse has experience in assessing and preparing environmental assessments for waste facilities and the expertise and knowledge provided by the company will be invaluable for Council to ensure a thorough and comprehensive assessment of the proposal is made,” Mr McDermott said.
“Once the review is completed, Council will be in a position to consider the proposal and decide whether further community workshops are required to address any outstanding issues.”
Four companies submitted expressions of interest with planning staff selecting Geolyse for its skill, experience and background to undertake the task.
“The independent assessment is one of the many checks and balances Council has put in place to deal with the central waste facility proposal,” Mr McDermott said.
“We have undertaken an extensive community consultation program and extended the exhibition time on the Environmental Impact Statement to 60 days. During that time we received 21 submissions.
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“Those submissions were sent to HLA Envirosciences, who prepared the EIS for Council, for consideration. HLA has prepared a representations report which addresses the issues raised by the public and several State government agencies.”
A copy of the Representations Report is currently available on Councils website for viewing.
Geolyse will commence assessment of the application over the coming months before presenting its report to the full Council.
Some of the issues raised as part of the EIS process were impacts on traffic, European heritage, groundwater quality, leachate, noise, odour and dust.
