AT its November meeting Port Macquarie-Hastings Councils' Development and Environment Director, Matt Rogers, presented a set of replies to the question on notice by Councillor Sharon Griffiths on the Kew Waste Transfer Station.
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Read the mayor's response here.
Read the concerns of residents here.
Cr Griffiths had asked:
Can the General Manager provide an updated report on the Camden Haven Waste Transfer Station to the November 2013 Council Meeting to address concerns of residents regarding site selection?
She put on notice 11 questions, listed below, and commented: "Residents have stated they were not informed of the waste transfer station site selection being presented to Council for adoption, therefore unable to present to Council various questions which they believe may have altered the resolution."
The questions (Q), and responses (A) from Mr Rogers were:
Q. 1. Detailed costing of each site clarifying rates and volumes including dumping levy
A. 1. At this point in time, detailed costings for each site are not available. The costings for the purpose of the site selection process are based on general site concept drawings with unit rates being drawn from Rawlinsons Construction Cost Guide (2013) and engineering experience with similar projects in the area.
Refer to attached concept cost estimates. These estimates have been updated slightly to reflect confirmed waste levy costs and the double counting of sewerage options for the Taylor's Quarry site.
The EPA have confirmed that only waste deposited in the last two (2) years (in this case approximately 3,350 tonnes) would be exempt from levy payments associated with the transfer of that waste to the Cairncross landfill. Taking into account this exemption and the recent increase in the levy, the estimated cost has increased to $1,362,900. The increase in the levy outweighs any exemption for waste and confirms this cost to be a significant factor.
Q. 2. Advise noise, dust, security impact on each site.
A. 2. Minimal noise and dust would be expected from the operation of a waste transfer station and general operations would be the same no matter which site is selected. Activities expected to generate noise and dust include greenwaste mulching and concrete crushing. However, these activities will only occur relatively infrequently (refer to point 3 below).
Heavily trafficked areas on all sites including access roads are proposed to be sealed, thus reducing the potential for dust. Bulk waste bins are fitted with lids top prevent windblown litter and particulate matter. Experience with waste transfer stations at Port Macquarie and Wauchope demonstrates that noise and dust issues can be managed effectively.
Security would be expected to be similar for each site. Dunbogan currently has minor issues with the theft of non-ferrous metal. It is possible Herons Creek may experience similar thefts. However, both these sites have passive
surveillance from existing roads. Security would be a more significant issue for the Taylors Quarry site given its isolated location and limited surveillance potential. Council has the option of providing security company surveillance of the waste transfer station (if necessary) as it does with many other Council operated utility sites.
Q. 3. Frequency of crushing and mulching expected.
A. 3. Concrete crushing is expected to take place once every one to two years, depending upon the volumes of material received (domestic quantities only).
Similarly greenwaste mulching is expected to take place quarterly each year.
Q. 4. Area and design of waste transfer station including sketch or photo of existing
transfer station.
A. 4. The area proposed for the transfer station is approximately 1.4ha. Refer to attached concept design for the transfer station at Herons Creek Road. Each site would have a similar design footprint. However, the final layout and traffic configuration are subject to detailed design.
Q. 5. Advise how transfer sites operate.
A. 5. Waste transfer stations operate generally as follows.
Customers deliver the waste to the transfer station where the waste is segregated, sorted and stockpiled in relevant areas, bins or containers.
General solid waste is regularly transferred to Cairncross Landfill. Greenwaste and inert building materials (e.g. Concrete and brick etc) are stockpiled and then processed before removal from site. Other items such as scrap metals, e-waste (TVs etc), batteries, oils mattresses, cardboard etc are stored in separate areas for removal from site and future reuse/recycling.
Q. 6. Road entry options for sites, i.e. Ocean Drive, left in / left out.
A. 6. For the Taylors Quarry site, a major intersection would be required on Ocean Drive to facilitate all turning movements in/out of the site. The existing Pacific Highway approach and departure lanes would impact the required intersection.
Existing transition power lines are also likely to impact the intersection. It is likely the constraints would result in an intersection of significant cost. Design options for such an intersection have not been pursued given the other more favourable site options available.
For the Herons Creek Road and Dunbogan sites, only minor intersection adjustments would be required to facilitate all standard traffic movements.
Q. 7. How the upgrade of the Dunbogan roadway through flood strategies would alter the cost at this location.
A. 7. No allowance has been included in the costs for the upgrade to the "Tip road" in the Dunbogan Transfer Station option. Tip road upgrading has been identified through the Camden Haven Floodplain Management Plan 2004 as a flood event evacuation response and is funded separately.
Q. 8. Impact on site 2 Herons Creek Road due to wildlife corridor.
A. 8. The impact to flora and fauna will be assessed in detail and documented in a Statement of Environmental Effects as part of the planning requirements for the site. However, a preliminary assessment has been undertaken by Council's ecologist and it is considered unlikely that significant flora and fauna issues will be encountered. While the site has not been formally recognised as a habitat corridor of significance, this issue would be taken into consideration as part of the design and approval process when an appropriate level of detail is available.
Q. 9. Expected usage taking into consideration the location of sites and future waste transfer stations.
A. 9. It is expected that the Kew Transfer Station will serve the southern portion of the local government area which includes North Haven, Laurieton, Dunbogan, Kew, Kendall and surrounding rural areas. The Council's broader strategy for the provision of local waste transfer stations includes a future facility to service the Lake Cathie/Bonny Hills growth area (Area 14). This facility would be constructed when sufficient residential development generates a demand for the service in that local area.
Q. 10. Any other relevant information to inform the community.
A. 10. The fact sheet which outlines a summary of each site is attached. This information was exhibited during the site selection process. Further information on the waste transfer station on the Herons Creek Road site will be available to the community when a detailed design is complete and a development application is publicly exhibited.
Q. 11. Further options for community consultation.
A. 11. The community will have further opportunity to review the detailed design through the development application exhibition process. It is proposed that residents in the vicinity of the Herons Creek Road site and those who made submissions to the site selection process be formally invited to comment on the development application and that the application will be advertised publicly to enable community representations to be made.
