Staff support treatment plant

Gosford Council officers have recommended approval of a proposed water treatment plant at council's Woy Woy Depot on the corner of Gallipoli Ave and Ocean Beach Rd, Umina Beach.

The proposed development would treat groundwater for inclusion into the town water supply system.

Council received seven public submissions about the development, mainly focused on a perceived lack of sufficient public exhibition, its effects on the Peninsula water table and noise issues.

One submission commented that the proposal was poorly exhibited for a "very short period of 14 days" and asked that it be re-exhibited for a month.

Council officers stated that the proposal was exhibited in accordance with council's policy, which did not require exhibition for more than 14 days.

Another submission commented that there was inadequate information and public consultation prior to submission of the application.

Council officers stated that with the current drought, it embarked upon a drought contingency strategy and part of the strategy was looking at groundwater options.

It stated "there will be ongoing community awareness and an extensive education program specifically aimed at the Woy Woy Groundwater Scheme which is still subject to Department of Natural Resource license".

One submission stated that the long-term environmental impact on groundwater had not been addressed including the structural stability of properties close to bores, the groundwater table, gardens and lawns.

Council officers stated that the application only related to construction of the treatment plant but that the licensing of the bores and monitoring of groundwater levels was required by the department.

"It is noted that the Department of Natural Resources require extensive details of environmental impacts and monitoring."

The council staff report also noted that extensive hydraulic modelling has been carried out on the recharge as part of the department's licensing requirements.

Other submissions relating to cumulative impacts on the water table and the recharge of groundwater were also rejected on the basis that it was a matter for the department.

The report from council staff stated that the maximum noise impacts on the nearest residences would be 60dBA in the daytime, 50dBA in the evening and 45dBA at nighttime.

A submission stated that the noise impact was not adequately addressed, and the nominated 5dBA above current background noise levels would be "noticeable, disturbing and annoying" on residents, particularly at night.

"This can disturb sleep and be injurious to health," the submission stated.

Council officers stated that the noise assessment indicated the proposal would comply with requirements and that noise monitoring of the plant after operations commence should be carried out.

One submission stated that council should use the old Woy Woy abattoir site for the plant, while another said council should only be allowed to extract water no further down than the restrictions placed on Coca Cola by the Land and Environment Court.

Council stated that although the abattoir site was classed as contaminated, it may be considered in the long term if the drought continued.

It stated that due to the urgency of the need to supplement town water supplies, the current location was preferable due to the short time in which it could be implemented.

"The proposal is an essential part of the overall contribution to maintaining water supply in the current drought," the report stated.

Construction of the treatment plant would take about six months.

Council agenda ENV.85, August 8