Push for public voice in plant upgrade

TWEED Shire councillors have agreed to establish a Wastewater Treatment Plant Advisory Committee to provide specific input to the upgrade of the Hastings Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, following calls for stronger community input and a petition with nearly 3000 signatures.

At the last Council meeting, mayor Chris Cherry moved for further representation and that the council investigate ways to include a nominated community representative in the plant’s design process.

The council had previously resolved to progress the design of both Option 4 and Option 5, amid strong community interest in the future of the plant.

Cr Cherry said having a community voice at the table would help build understanding and potentially deliver a better outcome for the environment and ratepayers.

“Having a community representative involved in the design process would increase community understanding of the considerations and benefits of each aspect of the plant upgrade, and may result in an upgrade that is supported by the community and delivers the most environmentally sensitive and cost-effective outcome for the ratepayers,” Cr Cherry said in the submission.

“Working with the community to achieve this is a fundamental part of fulfilling Action 4.2.1 – to inform, educate and engage with the Tweed community and Council staff so they get the most out of the Council’s programs and services and are involved in decisions that affect them.”

 

Council management said that, to date, the Council had undertaken significant engagement with local community representatives, including exhibiting plans, facilitating site visits, holding community meetings, and responding to numerous technical requests for information.

“Council has maintained and will continue to maintain a Your Say Tweed public website for community engagement for this project,” management said.

“Consultation to date has resulted in significant community engagement and feedback.”

In considering Options 4 and 5 in the upcoming budget, management said there was no reasonable way a community representative could be inserted into the technical design processes for a wastewater treatment plant.

“There would be contractual, qualification/professional indemnity and safety in design responsibility issues that would likely prevent any consultancy from accepting.”

It was resolved that once established, the committee urgently consider the plant upgrade.