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Desalination Hearings Get UnderwayBass Coast Shire Council officers have attended public hearings at Pakenham for the desalination plant Environment Effects Statement (EES) which commenced this week. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 24th October 2008 - Back to News An Inquiry comprising five members has been appointed by the State Government to review the EES submissions.
Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, presented to the Inquiry on behalf of Council.
"Council’s opening presentation focused on both Council and the communities concerns surrounding the Government’s water policy and the proposed desalination plant," said Mr Bawden.
"Even though this is outside the Terms of Reference of the Inquiry, we felt this was an opportunity to outline the Council’s fundamental concerns.
Council’s opening presenation also focussed on stressing to the Inquiry the importance of their role.
"The Inquiry plays a key role in assessing the impact of such a large project on a small community," said Mr Bawden.
"It will provide guidance to both the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the successful tenderer for the project."
The opening presentation also contained an overview of what Council would cover on its scheduled presentation days of Thursday 30 and Friday 31 October.
"The focus of our submission is on the areas that relate most closely to local government’s specific roles in the community," explained Mr Bawden.
"This includes areas such as community and economic development, strategic and statutory planning, infrastructure planning and provisions and waste management.
"In areas where other agencies have legislative responsibility or acknowledged expertise, Council has had no choice but to rely on their evidence to the Inquiry," Mr Bawden continued.
Opening statements from the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Environment Protection Authority, Cardinia, Casey, South Gippsland and Baw Baw Shire Council and both Watershed Victoria and the Power Grid Option Group were also presented at the hearings.
Mr Bawden said the hearings were a great opportunity for Council and the community to have their concerns listened to by an independent panel.
"I hope that anyone interested in this project attends the hearings, particularly now there are hearings scheduled to take place in Bass Coast," said Mr Bawden.
Public hearing sessions will be held at Silverwater Resort in San Remo on Thursday 30 and Friday 31 October and Wednesday 5 November.
After the public hearings conclude the Inquiry will compile a report, including recommendations, to present to the Minister for Planning by 4 December 2008.
The Minister for Planning will then consider the report and decided on the future of the desalination project it at the beginning of 2009.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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