EMRC
is to vote on selling Red Hill Tip land to Water Corp to build a sewage plant
for Parkerville, Stoneville, Gidgegannup and future developments. A breifing
on the issue for representatives of the member councils (Belmont, Bassendean,
Bayswater, Kalamunda, Swan and Mundaring) will be held at the EMRC on Tuesday
5 Feb. 2008 at 2pm. The EMRC are dodging the bullet of unpopular social opinion
and closer scrutiny of their operation by recommending the members vote to sell
the land to the Water Corp. who will then build and manage the sewage plant. The
EMRC will get water to wet down the tip, and the remaining 1000 mega litres will
go to irrigate land in the Swan Valley.
If this sewage plant is built it
will open the way for development in the Perth Hills. If this passes and the land
is sold to Water Corp by the EMRC, it clears the last barrier for development
of suburbs along Toodyay Road.
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Shire
trades Tips for a Pig in a Poke
Without bothering to take competing
tenders, the Council voted 8-3 to turn the Mathiesen and Coppin Rd transfer stations
over to the EMRC to run for "cost plus 10%". Staff was unable
to say what the "costs" will be because "they don't know
yet". It could save the Shire money, but it might not...they don't know
yet.
The gallery was full, the quite vocal crowd didn't seem pleased with
the result. President Dullard also refused to accept into the minutes the preamble
of a petition with 1600 signatures, saying she would accept the signatures as
signatures only, refusing to include the purpose of the petition.
Councillors
voting for: Lavelle, Cuccaro, Hall, Jamieson, Pilgrim, Johnson, Gardhouse.
President Dullard voted for at the committee meeting.
Voting
against: Harvey, Daw, Davies.
Councillors Lavelle and Cuccaro
are members of the EMRC.
Ignoring their own staff report (SGC mtg. 10
March 08) where it states: "An introduction of a gate fee is being discussed
with EMRC.", Council President Dullard claimed there was no gate fee
being discussed. Councillor Pilgrim called it rumour-mongering.
Mentioned
in the same report, the Shire of Kalamunda (which has a similar arrangement with
the EMRC) charges $22 per trailer load, $11.50 per car load.
President
Dullard also refused to discuss that gate fees could lead to illegal dumping,
rubbish building up on properties, hazardous waste accumulating, and increased
bushfire danger.
Dullard also said the Council will decide in a year about
the gate fees.
Closure of the Mayo Rd. Wooroloo, collection station is still
being discussed.
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*PREVIOUSLY
REPORTED*
Shire of Mundaring Proposes to Turn Tips over to EMRC
$22/trailer,
$11.50 car gate fee at Coppin and Mathieson probable, Mayo Rd. to close
The upside is it’s cheaper for the Shire. The downside is it’ll encourage
illegal dumping and accumulation of green waste for later burning, increasing
fire hazards in the interim. Is this another money saving exercise at the expense
of the ratepayer while the Shire struggles to pay for its new civic centre? Don’t
ratepayers already pay for tip services in their rates?
Many less-affluent
ratepayers could choose to dump illegally or let waste accumulate around their
homes instead of spending their beer money to take a load to the tip. This will
also encourage trailering over-large loads in lieu of making a second trip.
The
Shire votes on this at the March 25 meeting. You can let your councillors know
your feelings by contacting them, or by coming to the 7 pm meeting and speaking
your mind.
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