Environmentalists will be keeping a keen eye on proposed landfill developments in Wagga’s north after a community forum in Bomen this evening.
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Developers are overseeing a three-part development proposal around the old Wool Combing Facility, one aspect of which involves converting old effluent evaporation ponds into a dumping ground for recycled and non-odorous materials, including waste from the Visy Mill at Tumut.
Property valuer and site owner Chris Egan said the development would be good for the Bomen region but says he’s willing to adapt plans if the community responds.
“In the construction phase of this project, we’re looking at around 10 new jobs along with a few other full-time employees,” he said.
“That being said, we’re still in the public consultation phase and we’re expecting people to come along and contribute to this planning process tonight.”
Mr Egan said the great thing about the site was its isolation from neighbouring residential properties.
However Eunony Valley Association president Bill Schulz has greater environmental concerns.
“The suggestion of putting waste at the settling ponds triggers a lot of questions for the greater population,” Mr Schulz said.
“At this stage, we don’t know enough about the project but there needs to be an understanding of the entire impact of this potential development.”
Mr Schulz contested Mr Egan’s assessment of the site’s proximity to residential areas, arguing properties on the eastern side could easily be affected.
“There about 40 houses within 5km of the proposed landfill site and maybe another 300 nearby,” Mr Schulz said.
The Eunony resident also expressed concerns over the site’s topography, suggesting effluent water could leak downhill in the the Murrumbidgee floodplain, and questioned whether Wagga should be entertaining Visy after the EPA refused to support its Gundagai facility earlier this year.
However Mr Egan told The Daily Advertiser elements of concerns such as odour wouldn’t be an issue and reassured stakeholders that design changes to the facility would be readily considered after Tuesday’s community meeting.
“We’re really fair people and if we have to change the design to accommodate nearby residents, we’re willing to do that,” he said.