Gunnedah Waste Facility

We, as ratepayers, living at Emerald Hill, are extremely concerned about the plan before council for the proposed Gunnedah Quarry Landfill Project for Mary’s Mount Quarry made by Mackellar Excavations , MEX , at 334 Pownail Rd , Mullalley .
The proposed Waste facility on Lots 1 and 2 16 Torrens Rd is far too close to town, residences and other local businesses There is not enough information given about both of these proposed facilities .
Obviously issues of noise and environmental pollution as well as potential toxic waste contamination have not been satifactorily addressed.
Despite it being noted that locals and local organisations had been notified , we had , as a local family and members of the Emerald Hill Progress Association and the Emerald Hill CWA no knowledge of this proposed development.
We have not been given any opportunities to voice our concerns, ask questions of them developer about where this waste will be coming from and more importantly what will be in this waste.
A very vague article appeared in our local paper extolling the virtues of such a facility being able to provide more employment for Gunnedah. No details were given about what constitutes this waste.
On roads already very busy with heavy vehicle movements , by this company proposing these waste facilities , no provisions have been made or explained for such a significant increase in heavy vehicle movements.
We are totally against such developments because information has not been provided to address problems of potential pollution,contamination and importantly what products are included in this waste .
The placement of such a facility in Torrens Rd , Gunnedah , so close to town, residences and other businesses is totally unacceptable .
We object to these developments . No community consultation has been given and we feel these proposals , that may seriously affect this community , have “ gone under the radar “ Regards Ross and Shirley Urquhart

We have many concerns in regards to the proposal – some of which we will list below.

The EIS for the project notes the nearest residential block is 1.1km away from this location. Whilst this may be the closest residentially zoned home, there are a number of Rural Residential homes located much closer to the proposed site – ours being one of them. We find that this is very misleading information and sets a precedent for how the development intents to be established and operate.

Information in regards to the flood plane is also misrepresented in the EIS. Whilst the site is not subject to flooding from the Namoi river it is prone to local flooding from which run off enters and travels through private property and into the Namoi River – ours being one of them. These are water bodies that our livestock drink from, and our children often play in.

We are also concerned with the benefit such a development will bring to our community. As it is to be a private commercial development with profit the final goal – we don’t believe that what is in the best interest of the community will be considered in the running, maintaining and adhering to the EPA guidelines – especially if the company is allowed to self monitor and report important information. The locally utilised council operated waste management facility is located further from the town centre for good reason – the proposed location is too close to town.

Due to the nature of the development dust particulates generated from the proposed site may contain toxic substances and this presents significant health risks for our community.

The potential noise generated from the development use of crushing and loading equipment as well as increase heavy vehicle movements are concerning to us.

The nature of this development could mean that any EPA breeches may cause irreversible damage to lands and waterways with potential toxic run off, or dust particulates.

Gunnedah is in a fortunate position to have a relatively secure water supply – however during the recent drought had to place water restrictions for residents – where will the water required to maintain the operation of this development be sourced and where will that leave the community water supply in the future.

Whilst we received notification of the development proposal we are aware of neighbours in close vicinity of the project not being contacted by any means – be it written or verbal from the company or anyone else. This itself presents disregard for neighbours – I fail to see how this would encourage affected properties to believe the company will adopt good neighbourhood practices. No fact sheets or details of the project have been provided to the community other then the notification of the project which could be easily overlooked during the recent holiday period.

We understand that waste in Australia needs to be processed but believe it is not in the best interests of the Gunnedah Community to truck waste in from big city centres and interstate for the commercial gain of the company applying for this development.

We operate a small primary production business on our property. We run cattle for commercial purposes and ponies for our children to enjoy on our property. The increased risk of site contamination if this development goes ahead will potentially ruin our on farm income and the lifestyle we have worked hard to provide for our children.

On the basis of these and other concerns we must lodge our objection the proposed development of the waste management centre as it will be detrimental to the life we have built and the future we wish to have in Gunnedah.

Please give our concerns serious consideration in making your decision in relation to this development.

I am deeply concerned to have only stumbled onto the above mentioned proposal in the last 24hours.
This will affect our whole community and there doesn’t seem to have been any community consultation thus far in regard to the above mentioned proposal which should NOT be close to or adjacent to any populated area.
I reject any such proposal IN TOTAL and indeed am particularly concerned at the proposed location WITHIN the bounds of our community.
I feel that our local government authority should enter into a full community consultation process prior to decision making by any and all government departments as well as private enterprise that may be involved.

We are writing in relation to the proposed Gunnedah Waste Facility to be constructed on 16 Torrens Road Gunnedah.

We have many concerns in regards to the proposal – some of which we will list below.

The EIS for the project notes the nearest residential block is 1.1km away from this location. Whilst this may be the closest residentially zoned home, there are a number of Rural Residential homes located much closer to the proposed site – ours being one of them. We find that this is very misleading information and sets a precedent for how the development intents to be established and operate.

Information in regards to the flood plane is also misrepresented in the EIS. Whilst the site is not subject to flooding from the Namoi river it is prone to local flooding from which run off enters and travels through private property and into the Namoi River – ours being one of them. These are water bodies that our livestock drink from, and our children often play in.

We are also concerned with the benefit such a development will bring to our community. As it is to be a private commercial development with profit the final goal – we don’t believe that what is in the best interest of the community will be considered in the running, maintaining and adhering to the EPA guidelines – especially if the company is allowed to self monitor and report important information. The locally utilised council operated waste management facility is located further from the town centre for good reason – the proposed location is too close to town.

Due to the nature of the development dust particulates generated from the proposed site may contain toxic substances and this presents significant health risks for our community.

The potential noise generated from the development use of crushing and loading equipment as well as increase heavy vehicle movements are concerning to us.

The nature of this development could mean that any EPA breeches may cause irreversible damage to lands and waterways with potential toxic run off, or dust particulates.

Gunnedah is in a fortunate position to have a relatively secure water supply – however during the recent drought had to place water restrictions for residents – where will the water required to maintain the operation of this development be sourced and where will that leave the community water supply in the future.

Whilst we received notification of the development proposal we are aware of neighbours in close vicinity of the project not being contacted by any means – be it written or verbal from the company or anyone else. This itself presents disregard for neighbours – I fail to see how this would encourage affected properties to believe the company will adopt good neighbourhood practices. No fact sheets or details of the project have been provided to the community other then the notification of the project which could be easily overlooked during the recent holiday period.

We understand that waste in Australia needs to be processed but believe it is not in the best interests of the Gunnedah Community to truck waste in from big city centres and interstate for the commercial gain of the company applying for this development.

We operate a small primary production business on our property. We run cattle for commercial purposes and ponies for our children to enjoy on our property. The increased risk of site contamination if this development goes ahead will potentially ruin our on farm income and the lifestyle we have worked hard to provide for our children.

On the basis of these and other concerns we must lodge our objection the proposed development of the waste management centre as it will be detrimental to the life we have built and the future we wish to have in Gunnedah.

Please give our concerns serious consideration in making your decision in relation to this development.

Yours sincerely

As a local businessman and veterinary surgeon who has operated in the near vicinity of the proposed development for almost 40 years, I have major concerns about this proposal on a number of fronts.
1.The proposed facility is too close to town, residences and other businesses. Gunnedah is growing and this proposed development will be uncomfortably close to town in years to come.
2. The potential toxic waste contamination of the air, surrounding land, ground water and riparian flows. Run off from this subdivision flows directly into the Namoi RIver, 1 km away and has the potential to signficantly impact agricultural enterprises both neighbouring and downstream. Soil and water contamination could impact the welfare of livestock and impede the marketing of same.
3. Dust, air borne particles and potentially toxic fumes and materials could emanate from the site
4. Noise from heavy equipment on site will impact nearby businesses and residents
5. There will be significant increase in truck/heavy vehicle movements on an already busy Kamilaroi Highway
6. I fail to understand why waste products need to transported vast distances (presumably from Sydney/Qld), pressuring an already compromised road network .
7. I also hold concerns as to how the site will be monitored if this application is successful
8. There has been NO community consultation regarding this project. I believe this should be undertaken.

I grew up in Gunnnedah, and still have family and friends there. I object to this project for several reasons.
Noise- This plant will have a very large crusher, and the noise will disturb neighbouring businesses, and may even be heard at Pensioners Lookout. I frequently climbed Pensioners Lookout as a child, and still walk there when I visit Gunnedah.
Traffic- I understand there will be over 120 truck movements a day. Damaging roads and increasing the risk of serious accidents.
Contamination- The project is on low lying land, close to the Namoi River and is a risk of flooding and contaminating surrounding properties, groundwater and riparian flow.

I am concerned that the assessment to protect Koalas is inadequate and ignores Koala feed trees (e.g., Eucalyptus sideroxylon and E pillagensis) that may exist on site. Additionally, what are the Koala habitats and records that exist within 800m of the site? Any assessment needs to include the indirect impact of increased traffic, noise and road upgrades.

Please, please consider this iconic species before you move forward. Koalas have faced enough habit destruction in NSW. Please don't let this be another project that kills them.

Thank you for protecting Koalas.

This submission is to object against the proposed Gunnedah Waste Facility SSD-8530563.

I live in close proximity to the proposed development and have a number of concerns outlined below.

1. Airborne particles, associated with the loading/unloading and processing of contaminated soil, affecting nearby residences. These airborne particulates have the ability to negatively affect the respiratory systems of those in adjoining residences. The particulates would almost certainly gather on open watering points for livestock/ pets ie dams and open troughs, with even more dire consequences when entering the rain water systems attached to surrounding homes, later consumed as drinking water.
2. Water runoff onto adjoining properties and nearby riparian zones, carrying harmful contaminants.
3. The leaching on contaminants onto adjoining properties, particularly concerning given the lack of identifiable ongoing testing on the perimeter of the proposed facility.
4. The negative impact of the considerable increase in local traffic once the facility is fully operational.
5. Increased noise levels once the facility is operational, given that exceedances have already been identified in the associated noise assessment.
6. The identification of the nearest residential lot, completely ignoring the presence of nearby households zoned ‘Rural Residential’.

As a member of a sub- group of Sustainable Living Armidale, be assured we are not against mining but in favour of appropriate mining and development in appropriate areas. As such, we do not consider this project to be at all suitable for the site chosen, nor the types of waste disposal planned. Firstly we feel blindsided due to the lack of transparency in relation to this proposed development through not being published in the public domain and limited to online notice only. The imagery of the location is significantly out of date and cannot give an accurate picture of the current industrial area and buildings/houses within. The noise level from the Crushing Facility would be above accepted health limits and would be heard in nearby domestic housing areas. Being next to the rail line it does not make sense to be transporting waste to/from by road. Contradictions clearly show in the proposal: 500,000 tonnes p.a. does not constitute light use of roads. As the facility is open Mon-Sat 7am to 6pm (11hrs) with a projected 12 heavy vehicle movements per hour equates to 132 loads per day and equals 792 heavy vehicles per week. This is NOT light use of the roads as you claim. Who will pay for the road maintenance - and why not use the rail line right next to the planned development. Other issues are the storage and disposal of the highly toxic salt by-product from the Narrabri Gas Project. This has been a contentious issue for Santos/Eastern Star/Arrow from the beginning of their exploration. The proximity to the Namoi River and its propensity for regular major flooding and therefore leaching of toxins into the riparian waterways has been ignored. Once contaminated, these waterways cannot be restored to health. I beg you to consider the location and lack of precaution related to this proposal. This needs more research and a better solution.
Kind regards,
Jan Brahe
Convenor AACSG&M (part of Sustainable Living Armidale).

I strongly object to this project. It is another way that regional agricultural areas are being industrialised. Experience tells us that human error is always a factor in the possibility of accidents and breaches of safety protocols in these types of projects. The types of wastes that may be stored there in the future may pose a serious risk to surrounding communities, air, water and land use.

I wish to object to the application to the development of the proposed Gunnedah Waste Facility SSD-8530563.

This is my parents property and I grew up there.

My objections are.
• Dust and particulate matter will adversely affect and potentially contaminate my parents property at “Portland”, 10255 Kamilaroi Hway. Their boundary fence is less than 500 meters from the proposed development and their house is just over 500 meters from it.
• Noise pollution. The noise generated by the facility will interfere with my parents amenity and use of their home.
• Moving up to 250,000 tonnes of waste into and out of the facility will generate excessive heavy vehicle movements in the local roads, affected everybody that lives near by.
• I know the area, and it is subject to surface movement of water across it , which moves in the general direction of my parents property, then down to the Namoi River during heavy rain events. This will potentially contaminate their property and the Namoi River.
• The scope of this facility is unsuitable to be located on the edge of Gunnedah where it will affect a lot of people in the surrounding area.
Regards
Zane Rankin

I do not think the position so close to town is the best spot for the project. There would be other more suitable places further away from residential properties

I oppose this project for the following reasons:
1. The proposed area is prone to flooding and watershed which could potentially run into the Namoi River posing serious concerns for river and ecosystem health. The river is also used for recreational purposes, which any runoff from the site could greatly impact the use of the river.
2. The site is close to neighboring homes and properties, hence there is the likely potential for debris and hazardous materials accidentally being lost from site (by either wind, watershed or other purposes) and impacting the neighboring properties.
3. Gunnedah already has a waste facility, and if need be would it not be more appropriate to improve the existing infrastructure to meet the demands of the people in town.

Hence due to the high risk of damage to the environment, and people's livelihood within the area I am strongly against this proposed development.

I do not believe the project should go ahead due to the environmental impacts it will have on our river system. It will also pose problems to the home owners in the area.

NSW Planning
ATT: Katelyn Symington
RE: Gunnedah Waste Facility (SSD-8530563)

My name is Troy Rankin,
My parents are Paul and Deeanne Rankin and I grew up on “Portland”, 10255 Kamilaroi H’way, Gunnedah NSW.
I write as I have concerns surrounding the proposed development of Gunnedah Waste Facility to be constructed on Lots 1 and 2/16 Torrens Road, Gunnedah NSW.
There are reasons why I object to this proposal. I will outline several that are particularly relevant to me.
This development is awfully close to my childhood home, this is where I return to holidays, family gatherings and to meet with friends. I grew up on this small acreage/hobby farm and we still have pets and animals in the paddocks.
⦁ The possibility of contamination of the air, land, ground water, traveling stock route and the Namoi River. This river is very important to Gunnedah, not only environmentally but also because myself and other locals use the river to swim in, fish in and other recreational activities.
⦁ The effect that noise from trucks, the site plant/crushers loaders etc will have on neighbours
⦁ The dust that will made during processing, loading and unloading has the potential to be harmful to humans and animals (both domesticated and native) We have koalas, kangaroos, reptiles, many parrots and other species that live on our block. We have planted Koala specific gum trees in our paddocks.
⦁ The increase in truck numbers – this is a school bus route – I caught the bus everyday to school, so I am very aware of the dangers. Our neighbours have kids.
⦁ Financially this will have a great impact as my brother, and I will inherit this property from our parents.
I am a big supporter of recycling however to have a depot/processing/transfer waste station so close to town/near by residences (including my parents and our neighbours) is unthinkable.

Regards

T. P Rankin

Good evening,

I am writing to express my concern regarding the above application (# SSD-8530563).

I believe the location of this proposed facility is very close to many residences and may cause harm to their quality of living and also the Gunnedah community.

If the facility was to go ahead there would be a possibility of contamination both in air pollution and also to the Namoi river which is only approximately 1km away from the proposed site, especially considering the storm water runoff from the location would potentially connect with the water course which makes its way to the river.

I feel this has not been made very public within the Gunnedah community. I had not heard about this proposal until this week and feel more community consultation needs to be completed before the application can move forward.

I appreciate your consideration on these mentioned issues.

To whom it may concern,
My name is Ally Gallagher and when I was informed of this project I was absolutely horrified. My parents, grandparents and cousins are all residents of Gunnedah and its surrounding areas. Gunnedah is a town where I spent most of my time growing up and I believe this project will give the town no positive effects whatsoever.

My disapproval of this stems from my immense concern of pollution to the Namoi River and the effects this project will have on the surrounding environment as a whole. My partner grew up in one of the beautiful properties next to this location, his parents and pets still residing there, and the thought of them having to deal with the negative effects of this project is heartbreaking. I understand the need for facilities such as these, but the location of this is problematic due to the proximity to peoples homes and also the river system.

I think it would be appreciated if this was put to discussion with the community and to those who will actually have to be living with the consequences of this project.

Regards,
Ally Gallagher

Please see attached letter