Gunnedah Waste Facility

PPlease refer to the attached document, detailing the reasons for our objection.

In addition to the attachment;

1. Dust, air borne particulates and potentially toxic fumes and materials escaping from the site and affecting nearby residences, businesses and their employees as well as the wider community.
Our house runs entirely on rainwater so any dust fallout onto our roof, will by default be ingested into our water system
We already encounter fallout at times, from the coal washery some 2km distant which results in a greasy black film on roof surfaces and vehicles

2. Noise from the site is of particular concern as a Crusher will be functioning, increased traffic both heavy and light vehicles, idling trucks waiting to enter and exit the site, unloading and loading equipment will be constant during the proposed operating hours.

3. Significant increase in truck/heavy vehicle movements on an already busy road system.

4. Waste products being bought vast distances away from where they are generated, (Sydney and across NSW/QLD state border) and there is no specific end point destination noted. In regard to waste from Qld, it is known that the developer owns a large waste business on the Gold Coast Qld.
We have been advised that the developers staff, have been informed, that the proposal is definitely going ahead. Staff were further informed that waste from the Gold Coast Qld. Sydney and NSW coastal locations would be coming to Gunnedah for processing.
In regard to waste from Qld, what checks and balances are in place to ensure that waste from that location is compliant with NSW EPA requirements.

5. There has been no community/town consultation/meeting. We have not been afforded the opportunity to ask questions/voice our concerns and have feedback provided by the developer.

6. Ongoing monitoring of the site and who will be responsible for this, is another concern. Will the developer have a qualified person or persons on site to monitor incoming waste and reject waste which does not meet EPA guidelines?

7. We are aware that a representative of the developer has been encouraging, adjoining business owners to sign a waiver in other words agree to the proposed development. They have been told that the waste to be processed is only building waste.
At best this statement is intended to deceive. Whilst the developers are free to promote their activities the actions described are questionable.

8. We understand that the proposed waste processing facility, may receive mining waste for processing at times. The EIS does refer to acid suphate soils approx. 15% of waste throughput. Exactly what type of waste would this be? It is known that the nearby Santos Narrabri Gas Project will be needing to dispose of fracking and drilling waste. This type of waste is exceedingly toxic, containing elements such as toluene, salt and heavy metals. What guarantee if any, is there that this type of waste will not be processed at the Gunnedah facility?

Disapproval of the construction of the waste facility to be used on lots 1,2 Dp 1226992,Torrens rd Gunnedah


Lack of community consultation,with community and businesses and affected residences too close .

Dust and contamination from movement of trucks and trailers around site 24hr a day, travelling from interstate
and from long distances ,

no wash down facility before trucks go in and coming out .dust air borne travelling around the town and businesses

no on site air monitor of these facility and who will be looking after this .

Noise pollution with 24 hr operation near residences

no permanent fire fighting set up hydra s and spray in case a fight starts ,and a catch dam for run off

toxic material on site no bunging dam to catch any waste run off.it is to near the Namoi river and other people property's

Need to do a good talk with the community get there feedback . this has just slip through with out and feedback and people dont want it too close to town

this has not been thought need to develop a good feasibility study for this. you look at this one not right

Dear Ms Symington,
I am writing to you with regards to the proposed building of the new waste facility in Gunnedah.
As a member of the working community of Gunnedah I wish to oppose this decision due to my concerns on the
environmental, health and well-being of the community of Gunnedah .
My concerns are of this communities exposure to potential dangerous waste that will be present on this facilities
site .
If this project were to go ahead I feel that it would be detrimental to the health of our community with the probable
leeching of contaminates into our waterways and agricultural land in its surrounds.
Kind Regards

see attachment

I’m writing re concern about the proposed waste facility to be build at Torrens Rd, Gunnedah.
My concern is how it will detrimentally affect close private residences and its closeness to the whole town.
Regards

NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

Attention: Katelyn Symington

RE: Gunnedah Waste Facility Application Number SSD-8530563


I wish to object to the Gunnedah Waste Proposal

Our concerns being:

1. No details are given as to where the processed waste will be deposited.
2. Future modifications to the approval may well permit the dumping of this waste close to our property, with concerns of water and soil contamination.
3. Dumping of Coal Seam Gas waste salt may be approved in the future.
4. No provisions for those living near the facilities to be compensated for the Capital loss.
5. Lack of Community consultation.
6. The principal that rural residents should accept waste from large urban cities is not acceptable.
7. Lack of any Departmental monitoring at the local mines sows that no monitoring will occur, making life difficult make life difficult who live close to this development.
8. Coal Seam Gas and Vickery Mine Extension have all been approved by Local councils and State Government, how many more major developments can a small regional town have to endure with no consultation with residents or no recognition of disruption to lifestyle and considerable financial loss.


Jennifer and Errol Darley
146 Merrigle Lane Boggabri 2382

submission letter attached

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the above proposal.

I believe the applicant has attempted to gain approval for this facility without the local community having any chance to comment, by bypassing the local council.
Hence most locals remain unaware of this planned facility.

I wish to document my opposition to the location of the facility (not the facility per se).
I believe waste will be drawn from distant state capitals, only to land asbestos, lithium batteries and other toxic materials on a wind exposed flood plain, less than 2km from the Gunnedah CBD.
The location is surrounded by local private residences, most of whom rely on tank water for their personal use, and also for livestock.
The constant movement of semi trailers and B-doubles moving 800+ tonnes of waste per day will create a great deal of dust and noise pollution.
Given the proposed 250,000 tonnes of waste to be moved each year, the facility is clearly inappropriate to be placed of land zoned as “light industrial”.
This is dirty, polluting heavy industry at its best and should be located far away from private residences and a small country town.

As a local doctor I hold concerns for the health of all locals, but particularly the neighbouring citizens including the adjacent Gunnedah High School Agricultural Allotment.
I understand the need for such such a waste facility, but object to the location of the proposed facility.
20km outside town are vacant farms adjacent to coal mines, the farmers surrounding the mines were bought out as the mining companies understood it was a gross injustice to put a toxic heavy industry adjacent to private citizens livelihood and property.
Perhaps properties adjacent to the coal mines are the best place for this facility. Still within the Shire boundary but far from the CBD with no near neighbours.

The only justification for sending toxic wast 700km from Brisbane and 400km from Sydney is that the citizens of those capital citizens will never tolerate toxic waste nearby. For the same reason I and many other citizens of Gunnedah object on the following grounds.

1. Lack of any local consultation.
2. Health and Safety of local residents, including private dwellings and a High School campus only metres away.
3. Dust pollution including asbestos and other toxic materials.
4. Noise pollution 11+ hours/day, 6 days/week
5. Potential water pollution, especially during times of flood.
6. Traffic implications of 100s of large trucks moving through small streets every day


Yours sincerely
Dr Jon McKeon

There has been insufficient public consultation and the timing of the paperwork meant that many were occupied during the Christmas/New Year period and unaware of the proposed development.
the project is too close to town and more airborne contaminants will exacerbate health issues for many, including my child, an asthmatic

See attachment

Additional information required