THE council is trying to convince the state government to pitch in towards the upgrade of Goulburn’s wastewater treatment plant.
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‘Stringent’ environmental requirements for this area will add some $6 million to $8m to the cost, says council general manager Warwick Bennett.
Mr Bennett and Mayor Geoff Kettle recently met with Natural Resources Minister Kevin Humphries and Local Government Minister Paul Toole in Sydney about this and other matters.
“The purpose was to start discussions about the sewage treatment plant (STP),” Mr Bennett said.
“The problem with the work is that because we’re in the Sydney catchment, the standard of discharge is significantly higher than for other areas of NSW.”
He compared it with Mudgee, where he previously worked as Mid Western Council general manager, and which also required a new STP.
Mr Bennett said meeting discharge requirements for the Goulburn plant would cost about 15 per cent more than other areas.
“We are more than happy to comply but we say it is unreasonable for Goulburn ratepayers to pay the extra and we’re asking the Sydney Catchment Authority or state government to make a contribution,” he said.
The pair received a “positive reception” from both ministers.
They are giving the council a letter of support to approach the SCA.
Mr Bennett said it was important to start the discussions now given that construction to replace the near 100-year-old plant was due to start in eight months.
The upgrade is a $30m to $40m project. It had taken two years to complete an augmentation report for the work, a June report to Council stated.
Staff hailed the EPA’s in-principle support of the report as a “great step forward” which set in motion the next phases – approvals and construction.
The council had three years from June to complete the project and have it operational.
Deputy Mayor Bob Kirk and Cr Margaret O’Neill were appointed in June to a project reference group overseeing the upgrade.
The council has also advertised for three community representatives to join the group. It will also include council staff and state government representatives.
While in Sydney, the mayor and Mr Bennett also briefly discussed local government reform with Mr Toole.
“We are looking at quite significant reforms to Goulburn Mulwaree Council in terms of its structure and we wanted to ensure our thoughts were in line with his,” Mr Bennett said.
The Minister indicated that a final report, following on from an independent panels’ review, would be released next month.
Asked about the meeting at the most recent council gathering, Cr Kettle said the review had recommended some boundary adjustments and amalgamations over time but be knew nothing more.
“But I firmly believe that we won’t be going to the 2016 local government election as Goulburn Mulwaree,” he said.