25 SEPTEMBER 2020
ISSUE 261
REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS
News
We don’t want to be Sydney’s 'dumping ground' - Tesch
Opinions are divided on the performance of Central Coast Council, three years after its first councillors were elected, following amalgamation... See page 4
Out&About
An artist’s impression of the proposed development
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch is urging residents to have their say at the 11th hour on a major waste recycling proposed for Somersby, with submissions set to close on September 25. The proposal, by Kariong Sand and Soil Supplies, at 90 Gindurra Rd, would see a vacant site turned into a stateof-the-art facility converting sand, soil and building materials into 100 per cent recycled building and landscaping supplies. The company’s website says the products would be provided for re-use mainly in the Central Coast region and the project would create jobs, boost the local economy, divert waste from landfill and reduce illegal dumping.
But Tesch said she was concerned by a recent upsurge in high impact facilities at Somersby. “In just the last two years we have seen a number of applications to open new waste and recycling facilities at Somersby to cater to Sydney’s growing waste problem,” she said. “We don’t want the Central Coast to become Sydney’s dumping ground just because we’re a short drive up the M1. “Too often these developments duck under the radar as they are in industrial areas, but the reality is that noise, dust, and creeping approvals can add up to big issues for nearby residents.” Tesch said that once approved, many owners seek to accept additional waste by
relying on existing approvals. “We have seen it time and time again, that owners of waste facilities end up getting approval for 50,000 tonnes of waste, but use that to piggyback future increases which means more waste, more trucks, and more impact on local communities,” she said. Tesch has called on the NSW Government for a long-term vision for waste across the state. “All too recently we have already seen the harm caused at the Mangrove Mountain tip by reckless waste management and poor EPA oversight,” she said. “We can’t let that happen again.” An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) provided with the Development Application,
which is being considered as a State Significant Development by the Planning Department, say the proposed development can be implemented with minimal adverse environmental impacts and is justified in terms of overall economic benefits to both local, state and national economies. “The proposal will have positive flow on effects throughout the local economy through the creation of 11 new direct jobs,” the EIS says. “An economic analysis of the project also suggests that development will inject $73.8M into the Central Coast economy over the next 20 years.” A fact sheet issued by Kariong Sand and Soil Supplies says the company has amended its application to address community concerns
regarding, among other things, dust and noise issues, water quality, the use of Debenham Rd by trucks and possible impacts on Aboriginal Heritage and biodiversity. The company has also added an advanced water recycling and dust suppression system across the site, the fact sheet says. The fact sheet also makes a commitment that recycling will increase in stages, only after independent testing is done to prove the facility is performing to the highest environmental standards. It says the facility will not accept any asbestos or any loads suspected of containing hazardous materials. Terry Collins
Angst growing over Wamberal Beach taskforce deliberations The task force announced by the State Government on July 31 to drive the delivery of a solution to beach erosion problems at Wamberal has come under fire for its lack of activity and transparency.
The rock bags that have been installed as a temporary fix
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said this week that the task force had “hit the ground running” in assisting Central Coast Council to deliver a longterm solution, but the 2000-strong Wamberal Beach Save Our Sand Group (SOS) says the task force appears to
have achieved nothing in almost two months. “Manly Hydraulics Laboratory is currently undertaking concept designs for protection options and beach nourishment, as well as updating the cost benefit analysis work,” Crouch said. Despite assurances the report would be expedited, the best answer Council can give on when it is likely to be handed down is still “towards the end of the year”. Task force chairperson and coastal engineering expert, Dr Phil Watson, said the focus was
on developing a range of options for community consideration that not only provide for property protection, but also take the opportunity to enhance the recreational amenity and public access along the beach. “The task force is mindful of the importance of maintaining and where possible, enhancing the natural beach system at Wamberal as part of the planned response while delivering an improved outcome for the community,” he said. Continued page 5
It’s official; the flags are up and Surf Life Saving volunteers will begin patrolling the Coast’s beaches on September 26... See page 17
Education
Students from Stages 2, 3 and 4 at Central Coast Sports College at Kariong have completed their Creative Clinic projects... See page 35
Sport
The 2020 CCRU Finals Series has finally arrived and recent matches suggest any of the final five Premier 1 teams could take out the major premiership. See page 40
Puzzles page 23
Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au