Soil dump concerns

A FORMER Loddon mayor is concerned the shire council has chosen the wrong site to temporarily dump soil during redevelopment of Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park.

Peters Street resident John Donaldson told the Loddon Herald the cordoned off section for soil was in the wrong place.

“It’s not in Donaldson Park but what we call Cooper Park ... within metres of the swimming pool, fitness station and Nardoo Creek,” he said.

Environment Protection Authority has limited soil excavated during the $5 million redevelopment to movement within the park. The level of contamination in the soil is not harmful, according to council.

Mr Donaldson claimed there had been no consultation or advice to residents in the area.

“Residents walk along the creek path daily and children go through there before and after school,” he said.

Mr Donaldson said he had spoken with council and wanted better barriers and signage.

Shire operations director Steve Phillips said: “Council is working with the Donaldson Park committee of management to locate suitable stockpiling sites within Donaldson Park for material during this project.

“There is approximately 2000 cubic metres that is not required for stage one of this project that will need to be located on the western side of Donaldson Park.

“There are no restrictions on the use of this material on site.