Mod 5 - Install Additional Plant

I wish to briefly outline my objections to the expansion of the Cleanaway Oil Refinery.
1. LOCATION OF RIE- Todoroski Air Sciences Odour Investigation project outlines many problems with the location. An example being "The RIE is essentially flat and is ringed by a 'horseshoe' of ridges where there are residential areas. The RIE 'horseshoe' is open towards the Hunter River and would effectively catch cool night time air drainage flows that come down the valley floor. This would trap and hold cool air low to ground level in the RIE resulting in resulting in prolonged temperature inversions in the locality. These inversions create high levels of pollution in surrounding residential areas.
2. RUTHERFORD AIR QUALITY LIASON COMMITTEE INVESTIGATION.
The investigation continued for over three years. Many problems were discovered and as yet not many situations have been resolved. It is time to change - industries should not be assessed individually but "cumulative impact must be assessed" (all industries combined). I can't believe expansion of a licensed industry is being considered until all current problems are resolved. Over many years people have raised a multitude of health problems which they feel are associated with the RIE e.g. respiratory problems, sore eyes, sore throats, headaches and high incidences of asthma. No expansion should be considered until a proper health study is conducted.
3. The Company plans to increase the stack heights. This will only result in emissions being dropped over a larger area and I feel does nothing to mitigate the temperature inversion problems so prevalent in this area. Any increase in emissions is a major issue for this community. Surely the residential area is copping more than its fair share. The area does not need its air to be polluted further. I feel enough is enough and the authorities should clean up the existing problems-that is the direction they should be heading and definitely not allowing more polluting industries.

To whom it my concern: I am writing in regards to the proposed expansion of Cleanaway Waste Oil Processing Facility in Rutherford which will include raising its stack's{ from the current eight meters} to fourteen.

Since the Industries started to operate in this area their reputation has been less than admirable. Our concern is not so much for the proposed expansion but how it will be operated! A taller stack will only take the emissions a little further away. It wont prevent the emissions from falling !

I'm sure you'll be aware of the extensive work that was carried-out by the " Rutherford Air Quality Liaison Committee" which took place over four year's and a survey requested by M.P. Jenny Aitchison which established that there were health problems in the area that related to the omissions from the Industries! What we should be concerned about is that if ANY of the proposed expansions are approved for any of the industries the problem for residents suffering with respiratory problems,sore eyes,sore throats,allergies,headache's and skin rashes will make matters much worse and there would be a deterioration in their health!
Any increase in production, means increased emissions! I can't reiterate strongly enough that I'm not against Industries but when some keep breaking the regulations time and time again ( for whatever reason ) they are all tarred with the same brush ! Industries must be held accountable by the obtainment of their licence to operate such a facility.
Due to the above observations, I've my doubts that the proposed expansion in question will improve anything except the business! What appears good on paper will not always work in practice. Surely the health of the community must come before the all mighty dollar !!!!!

Sincerely.
Salvatore Cocco.