Wingecarribee Council’s newly announced philosophical stance of pumping effluent into its own waterways is still not a practical certainty in the proposed Robertson Sewerage Scheme.
Questions are also surfacing at whether there is a need for a “conventional” sewerage system for the village.
Pressure from neighbouring local government areas have forced Council to declare a “clearly stated and widely publicised” policy of disposing effluent within the Shire.
However, the mover of that motion at the latest Council meeting Cr Sara Murray indicated other government agencies could “gazump” the Shire’s position during the scheme’s approval process.
One of those agencies Sydney Catchment Authority, headed by former Council general manager Jeff Wright, lists the Wingecarribee as a vital Sydney drinking water catchment.
But Cr Murray said it’s time Council adopt an assertive stance and consider the quality of waterways downstream.
“I think that this Council has had enough,” she said.
“Okay, if they (government agencies) want to gazump us again, they can do that and we will fight it like hell, because philosophically, we need to take care of our own effluent.
“If that requires a high standard of treatment because of the Sydney drinking water problem, well that’s another issue and we’ll have to deal with that as it comes.”
It was during a barrage of questions from Robertson residents about the proposed sewerage scheme that Cr Murray moved Council’s stance as a matter of urgency.
The meeting heard Shoalhaven and Wollongong City Councils told Wingecarribee they would oppose effluent from Robertson being pumped into creeks feeding Kangaroo Valley and Lake Illawarra.
“We need to take care of our own effluent,” Cr Murray said.
“(the effluent from Robertson) would be a drop into ocean compared to other systems in the Shire.
“I think that people have been alarmed and rightly so right through from Kangaroo Valley to Wollongong.”
Cr Peter Reynolds repeated his colleagues’ calls saying Council has a duty to heed the concerns beyond the escarpment even though the Shire is the “headquarters of Sydney’s drinking water system”.
The debate then rolled onto the merits of the proposed scheme, with Crs John Sherborne and Larry Whipper doubtful of whether it was necessary.
“We’re told by the experts that in the long run this is the way to deal with it,” Cr Sherborne said.
“We need to ask ourselves that fundamental question, is this the way to go before we do anything else.”
Cr Whipper added; “I hope that in looking at options, we look at scientific evidence before us as well, before we embark on any major funding expeditions.”
Cr Whipper also raised the issue of Robertson properties up for sale being advertised as “sewered lots”. Council was told this matter will be looked into.
Cr Murray’s motion was passed unanimously and recorded as such.
SCA CEO Jeff Wright was unavailable for comment.
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