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Looking to Loch Sport’s wastewater futureWellington Shire Council is taking steps to help ensure the current growth of Loch Sport, built on its increasing desirability as a place to live, is not comprised by the lack of a wastewater management system. By Wellington Shire Council - 3rd December 2003 - Back to News The town is enjoying a boom in housing development thanks in part to the special environment and quality of life it can offer residents. However this also means that the need for a reticulated wastewater management system to meet the requirements of a growing population is becoming more pressing.
Wellington Shire has been discussing this requirement with Gippsland Water for a number of years and the best way to progress. As a result of these discussions it recently commissioned a study into environmental and public health risks associated with the present wastewater disposal arrangements (carried out by consultants Sinclair-Knight-Merz). An assessment of the resulting report by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) states that ‘….it identifies a number of environmental and public health risks that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency’.
Taking this on board, and acting on the recommendations of the study, the Council is now pursuing the issue further with Gippsland Water as the responsible authority, and implementing measures of its own as agreed by its General Purposes Committee last night (2 December). Gippsland Water has been given a copy of the report and the resulting correspondence from the EPA, and the Council will now seek Gippsland Water’s advice as to what action it will take in relation to wastewater management.
The Shire for its part is reiterating previous warnings to Loch Sport residents and visitors that there are health dangers associated with drinking shallow groundwater, unless it is boiled first, because of the concentrations of E.coli, coliforms, ammonia and nitrate. In addition it is warning about the health risks of swimming or bathing in the swamp on the corner of Goodlett Avenue and National Park Road, as concentrations of E.coli on occasions exceed guidelines.
The Council is also looking to minimise the use of conventional septic tanks and so reduce the overall nutrient inflows to the lakes, by only approving special wastewater treatment plant systems in association with any new developments such as housing.
Said Wellington’s Chief Executive Officer, Lyndon Webb: "As the responsible local Council we’re anxious to make sure that the beneficial growth of Loch Sport is not restricted by the lack of sufficient support infrastructure and that the health of its residents is protected. That’s why we are keen to work with Gippsland Water and see measures put in place to protect the Loch Sport community’s health and to resolve this problem. This includes having an appropriate reticulated wastewater management system installed."
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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