Kings Court Reserve Protection Group
Ballina Lennox Head Recycled Water Master Plan EIS
This is the latest report
(click here to read)
as presented to council this week. Please send a comment or get in touch as we need to collate ASAP.
One family remembers how the park used to look
Please make a submission to this EIS detailing your thoughts on its inadequacy.
Detailed cost benefit studies between various schemes, and (if a reservoir is required) between different sites have not been done.
A comprehensive social impact study has not been done - the EIS does not address the social benefits provided by the Kings Court Reserve.
No appropriate value has been awarded to the social benefits provided by the Kings Court Reserve.
The EIS is a large document covering many aspects of the Ballina – Lennox Head Recycled Water Master Plan.
The need and/or siting of a reservoir in Lennox Head is only one aspect of this plan, and represents less than 3% of its budget.
If all else fails and you really dont know what to put in your submission, maybe this attachment will help.
Either print it off, fill in your details & send it in ... OR ... use whatever you like in the formation of your unique submission
The sewer tank battle has taken a new twist or two!
Firstly, a KCRPG committee meeting has been called for 7:30pm on Tuesday October 20, 2009 at 14 Kings Court Lennox to consider the latest developments.
Secondly, a meeting was convened Wednesday afternoon of last week (October 7, 2009) between John Truman, & Rod Dawson (Ballina Council), David Williamson (Rous Water), Neil Kennedy, Ian Watt, & Ken Armstead (KCRPG), Louise Owen (Lennox Chamber of Commerce) & Fred Goodman (Lennox Residents Association).
At this meeting, Mr Truman stated that he had requested a further report from David Williamson on the proposed recycled sewer tank to include such factors as a cost & engineering comparison between
* a NO TANK (& pumping the water) strategy,
* various positions (3 were discussed) for the tank, some of which would either require a booster pump for some higher residents (not specified - may be FUTURE subdivisions with no current DA application!), or simply not connecting them to the recycled system.
Mr Truman then reiterated the statement contained in his September 25 e-mail that, after receiving this report from Mr Williamson, he would write a submission to Council for discussion at its 22 October meeting.
I quote Mr Truman: "Given the concerns you and others have raised, I have decided to prepare a report that will be presented to Council at its Ordinary Meeting which will be held 22nd October 2009. The purpose of the report will be for the Council (as a proponent) to consider whether it wishes or not to amend the proposal within the EIS. I am doing that to allow residents and the Council to consider the matter at least initially outside of the statutory process. I will discuss with you further when we meet about how you can participate in that process, however in general terms, I have asked for the report to compare the Kings Court site to alternate sites and the do nothing option."
This would table the various options, and give Council the opportunity of reconsidering their stance of placing the Tank site in the EIS.
We strongly requested that we receive a copy of Mr Williamson's report, and take an active role by 'Community Consultation' with Mr Truman during his writing of the submission to Council.
Mr Truman DENIED us of this opportunity, stating that there would be no community consultation.
Further, Mr TRUMAN HAS SINCE RENEGED ON THIS UNDERTAKING - he is NOT going to write this submission to Council !!
Thirdly, the Council has erected a construction notice on the Kings Court Reserve for the Recycled Sewer Tank!!
Hence, NOW is the time to hit the Council with all the submissions that you can muster. Urge all friends, neighbours, relatives, acquaintances, work buddies etc to write submissions to Council against this Sewer Tank being sited in the Kings Court Reserve.
AND ... your submission must be in to Council NO LATER than October 30, 2009.
Unfortunately, I was in error with information that I sent out in the last e-mail.
After consultation with Mr Truman, you ARE able to send submissions to Council by e-mail, PROVIDED that you clearly state
to: Mr Paul Hickey,
The General Manager Ballina Shire Council,
e-mail: council@ballina.nsw.gov.au or
post: PO Box 450 Ballina 2478;
You could also cc to: Mr John Truman,
The Manager Civil Services Group,
e-mail: johnt@ballina.nsw.gov.au ;
Please include reference to The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Report No. DC08174 - September 2009, for the proposed Ballina Wastewater Reclamation and Augmentation Program; and finally you MUST also include your name & address.
Some main points that you could consider are that
1. it is unacceptable to lose flat open parkland which has been used by the community for 30 years.
2. the conflict with the councils' 2009-10 management plan that has a primary goal to consider the health & wellbeing of the community.
3. there is a 'do nothing' option of NOT putting a tank in, and simply pumping the water to all residents.
4. there is an option of placing a tank in a lower position and pumping to the higher residents that MAY be affected in the future.
5. there is an option of placing a tank in a lower position and NOT supplying water to the higher residents that may be affected in the future.
6. no cost analysis has been done between all of the possible sites for the tank.
7. Mr Truman confided at our meeting at Council on October 7, that Mr Pidcock proposed siting the tank on the northern aspect of his property (another option not initially divulged by Council)!
8. no proper community consultation has been done with all stakeholders.
After that, the submissions should be of a personal nature - reflecting your individual circumstances.
To help you in this submission writing, and get some idea of the Council meeting agenda, I have attached
1. A Word document containing copies of the e-mail correspondence with Mr Truman.
2. The letter that we sent to Council to request an extension of time to submit objections to the EIS. BUT, the standard Council's reply states that they will get back to us within 15 working days - this is PAST the due date for submissions (October 30, 2009).
3. The letter that went to the elected councillors requesting that they raise the Sewer Tank positioning at their meeting of 22 October, 2009 and vote to remove the tank positioning from the EIS. The EIS could then go through, and after correct community consultation (in accordance to their own strategic plan) a correct site could be decided upon.
4. The submission to council by Louise Owen.
5. The submission to council by Anita Swanberg.
6. The submission to council by Bruce Wilson.
I have also attached the minutes of the committee meetings of 28/9/2009 and 6/10/2009. The meeting minutes of 13/10/2009 are being compiled by Murray Nolan in my absence.
The battle is at a critical point, please respond by getting those submissions in.
Regards,
Ian Watt
Secretary
KCRPG
Ballina Shire Council is responsible for the management of the Ballina and Lennox Head Wastewater Treatment Plants located in the Ballina local government area of the far north coast of NSW.
In 2002-2003 Ballina Shire Council undertook comprehensive community consultation which led to the adoption of the Ballina Shire Urban Water Management Strategy (UWMS) in 2003. Council have decided to pursue the next stage in the implementation of the UWMS and these works are subject to an Environmental Impact Statement. A Recycled Water Master Plan was prepared, based on previous background studies, to progress the project to the next level of detail.
Make a Submission:
Have your say by writing a letter and sending it via post, fax or deliver in person to Ballina Shire Council.
Your submission must:
- Be made in writing
- Be received on or before 30 October 2009
- Include the name and address of each person making the submission
- Be signed by each person making the submission
- State the grounds of the submission and the facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds.
Please ensure that your written (letter) submissions are posted (or handed) to Mr Paul Hickey the General Manager Ballina Shire Council PO Box 450 Ballina 2478 include:
- reference to The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Report No. DC08174 - September 2009, for the proposed Ballina Wastewater Reclamation and Augmentation Program
- your name & address
- your signature
Some main points that you could consider are
1. the loss of flat open parkland that has been used by the community for 30 years.
2. the conflict with the councils' 2009-10 management plan that has a primary goal to consider the health & wellbeig of the community.
After that, the submissions should be of a personal nature - reflecting your individual circumstances.
The Ballina - Lennox Head Recycled Water Master Plan Environmental Impact Statement public exhibition period will end on 30 October 2009.
Some documents that ay also assist you from the Councils website.
- Environmental Defender's Office Fact Sheet (helps understand the submission process and layout 27kb pdf)
- Ballina - Lennox Head Recycled Water Master Plan EIS (5mb pdf)
- Appendix A - Agency Consultation Responses (3.5mb pdf)
- Appendix B - Ballina WWTP Site Photographs (pdf)
- Appendix C - Consideration of SEPP 71(pdf)
- Appendix D - Plan showing proposed pipeline routes (2.5mb pdf)
- Appendix E - Concept Plans for the Ballina WWTP layouts (1mb pdf)
- Appendix F - Flora and Fauna Assessment (5mb pdf)
- Appendix G - Cultural Heritage Assessment (4.5mb pdf)
- Appendix H - Noise and Vibration Assessment (3.3mb pdf)
- Appendix I - Risk Workshop Summary Paper (3.7mb pdf)
- Appendix J - Photomontage of Kings Court Reservoir and Pacific Pines Reservoir (pdf)
- Appendix K - Ecological Health Assessment Report (5.6mb pdf)
First and foremost, on behalf of the executive committee of the Kings Court Reserve Protection Group (KCRPG), I would like to sincerely thank you all for your attendance at the sausage sizzle on the Reserve last Sunday. It was a great showing of support, with an estimated 100+ people in attendance throughout the afternoon.
Click Here to read KCRPG’s first ‘official’ contact letter with Ballina Shire Council.
On the surface, this letter may appear to lack the venom of emotion that we all feel towards this absurd proposal to site the tank in the Kings Court Reserve. It is important, however, that we follow the correct dialogue protocols with Council so that we don’t render ourselves ineffective by being overly emotional or by making unfounded accusations.
It is also important to strike a blow with maximum force at the most opportune time.
These are early days and this will drag on for quite some time. We are in this for the long haul!
Council rely on any dissent being voiced heavily in the early stages and then ‘dying down’ at the critical decision making stage.
To have an optimum impact on Council's decision making, our responses are required in force during the public exhibition stage. Council have indicated that this exhibition may occur sometime in October.
We ask that you begin your preparation of letters of disapproval, but to please hold on sending them to Council. Once we confirm to whom they should be directed, and the date of public exhibition, we will notify you so that your letters will have maximum impact.
Are you aware of the HUGE recycled sewerage reservoir that Ballina Shire council
is proposing to build
in the Kings Court public reserve?
It is 26 meters in diameter and 6 metres high. It will contain 3.4 million litres of recycled sewerage that is not fit for drinking. Surrounding residents and MOST residents in Lennox Head and Ballina Shire will not benefit. It is ONLY for the newer estates with dual water systems and for planned new estates.
For many year’s Council’s Master Plan has had one site targeted for this reservoir – in PACIFIC PINES Estate – near the newer subdivision that CAN use the recycled water.
Why do they (the council) now ONLY present the flat area of Kings Court parkland as the preferred site?
Please read the following documents as supplied by the council re this development
PDF Downloads: residents update from Ballina Shire Council and the proposal
You and your family are invited to come along to the Sunday in The Park to talk about the impact this proposal will have on YOUR LIFESTYLE.
Bring a chair, picnic rug and something to eat and drink. Don’t forget your kids and your dogs (on leash please).
What about a ball to kick around.
Enjoy the fantastic views of the coast and hinterland that will be lost if this proposal goes ahead in the park.
COULD OTHER RESERVES AND PARKS IN THE BALLINA SHIRE BE ALSO THREATENED???
Come and see just how beautiful and useful this community resource is, and how council intend to take it away or bury it under the tank.
It is your opportunity to express your views and do it in a fun, family atmosphere. Can't make it on Sunday, then express your views in the form above, but most of all express them to the council. All councilors' contact details are below as well as some artists images from the council and some what the group considers more realistic and to scale ones from the group.
Artists rendition supplied by council, note absence of other houses in the second image and the low visual aspect of the photographer to make the tank seem not as high. As the council has stated these are NOT TO SCALE. See below.
Realistic Images for a better idea of the scale of the project!
Some Objections to the Sewerage Recycling Waters Tank proposed for
Kings Court, Lennox Head.
-
The land proposed at Kings Court, has been utilised as parkland for many years (over 25 years) and provides an important nature strip which is utilised by many. It was not previously designated for any building construction. Existing residents immediately surrounding and coming off from the parkland include young families, teenagers, business people, elderly and retired people who presently enjoy the peace and quiet that this area provides. This proposal is causing some residents distress. Not all affected residents were informed of the impending proposal that will severely hamper their lifestyle.
-
The parkland at present provides a place for children to play, people to walk their dogs, kick a ball about and also contains a football goalpost and a memorial area. A growing population has meant that more and more people are using this area. The maintenance of nature reserves, parks or nature strips such as the one at Kings Court should remain as originally deemed a buffer zone and a non-construction site. The beauty and serenity of this area will be totally destroyed.
-
The proposed Recycling Sewerage Waters Tank will have no direct benefit for any of the residents being affected. And it will only be of direct benefit to new estate dwellers will duel plumbing systems.
-
The proposed reservoir will have a direct negative impact on the proposed site taking up 26 metres in diameter of the parkland with an overbearing 6 metre height. This will dominate obtrusively over half of the park and clearly obstruct the presently enjoyed open space. The commissioned artist’s rendition of the proposed tank does not represent a true visualisation of the impact on the area and is misleading. (Even Mr Williamson from the Office of Public works agreed that if it was happening in his backyard he would oppose it vigorously).
-
The negative impact of this construction will adversely affect its surrounding residents and lead to a major loss in value of properties near the site. Those residing particularly in Kings Court and those backing onto the parkland from Sandstone Crescent, including one house that faces directly onto the parkland, will all require to be compensated financially if the proposal goes ahead. The land value decrease of properties, loss of a valued amenity and the loss of lifestyle during its construction will all need to be legally determined.
-
Others living nearby in Sandstone Crescent, Castle Drive and North Creek Road may also require financial compensation as the proposed land is heavily laden with sandstone boulders and will require heavy earth moving equipment which could potentially cause damage to homes within a radius of this vicinity. These people will also be affected by the noise and other inconveniences during its construction and the loss of an important green space.
More to follow as we become more aware of the outcomes for this proposal....
Ballina Shire Councilors' Contact Details (from Ballina Shire Council website.)
Ward |
Name |
Address |
Phone/Fax |
| Mayor |
Cr Phillip Warren Silver |
"Laurel Park" |
Ph/Fax 6628 3873 |
A |
Cr Alan BROWN |
4 Mary Street |
Ph/Fax 6686 8388 |
A |
Cr Robyn HORDEN |
8 Burnet Street |
Fax 6686 5758 |
A |
Cr Susan MEEHAN |
C/– Ballina Shire Council |
Ph/Fax 6681 3148 |
B |
Cr Sharon Cadwallader |
6 Easton Place |
Ph/Fax 6681 5013 |
B |
Cr Peter John Moore |
18 Fieldcrest Court |
|
B |
Cr Jeffrey JOHNSON |
|
|
C |
Cr David Eric Wright |
1/74 Hellyar Drive |
Ph/Fax 6628 1059 davidwright@ballina.nsw.gov.au |
C |
Cr Keith Johnson |
43 Whipps Avenue |
Ph 6628 0106 |
C |
Cr Benjamin SMITH |
4/42 Owen Street |
Ph/Fax 6681 4590 |
