 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Objections to Proposed Waste Dump Site
The Gara Valley Environment Preservation Association objects to the selection of Site 7 for a regional waste and rubbish dump on three main points:
- The environmental threat to the Central Eastern Rainforests World Heritage Site nearby
- The detrimental impact that the dump will have on Armidale’s tourism
- The negative social impact the dump will have on the community
However, it must be stated that our primary concern is the devastating environmental threat that the dump will pose to the Gara River and thus the entire Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, of which the Gara River is a primary feeder river.
The United States EPA has publicly stated that:
Therefore we are compelled to assume that, following the establishment of a waste and rubbish dump adjacent to the Gara River, it is inevitable that poisonous leachate will be lost into the river and thus the World Heritage Wilderness Area.
This is an environmental threat that will violate our International duty of care for our World Heritage Wilderness area
1. Environmental Threat to World Heritage Site
Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
The Oxley Wild Rivers National Park is part of the Central Eastern Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Site, declared by UNESCO as such in 1984.
The Australian Government’s Department of the Environment and Heritage describes the area as:
- an outstanding example representing major stages of the earth's evolutionary history;
- an outstanding example representing significant ongoing geological processes and biological evolution; and
- containing important and significant habitats for the in situ conservation of biological diversity
UNESCO maintains a World Heritage in Danger List, on which it places World Heritage Sites that it considers to be in danger through development or human intervention.
It would be a major embarrassment for the Australian government should the actions of one local Council result in the inclusion of an Australian World Heritage Site on the World Heritage in Danger List (a list that includes nations such as Afghanistan, Syria and Albania).
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
The NSW NPWS has issued a Plan of Management covering Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, Cunnawarra National Park and Georges Creek Nature Reserve.
According to the Plan of Management, NPWS have an obligation for:
‘for long-term care and stewardship of Oxley Wild Rivers NP and other listed areas to ensure that their values are identified, protected, conserved, presented and, if necessary, rehabilitated, and that individual or cumulative actions do not degrade their values over time.'
The Gara Valley Environment Preservation Association contends that the location of a waste dump at Site 7, adjacent to the Gara River, presents a challenge to the obligations of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service that cannot be ignored.
‘The New England Highway, Oxley Highway and Waterfall Way cross the headwaters of most of the major streams that flow into Oxley Wild Rivers National Park at points close to the park boundaries. A vehicle accident involving a chemical or fuel spill would pose a major threat to water quality.’
Accidents are unavoidable but the placement of a Regional Dump in the proposed location undoubtedly poses a far greater threat to the environment, and IT IS AVOIDABLE.
In the same document NSW National Parks and Wildlife has also stated that one of their desired outcomes is that the ‘planning area’s catchment values are maintained and the water quality and health of park streams is as high as possible.’
The Gara Valley Environment Preservation Association believes that such an outcome CANNOT BE GUARANTEED should Armidale Dumaresq Council proceed with its plan to locate the new waste dump at Site 7.
We are more convinced by the American EPA’s assertion that ‘all landfills will leak’ sooner or later than we are by Council’s consultants to the contrary. There is too much at stake to take the risk!
Also of concern is the variety of endangered and vulnerable plant and animal species that are located adjacent to the proposed dump site. For example, Eucalyptus Nicholii, a vulnerable eucalypt species is native to this location and will be affected by the clearing necessary to construct the dump site.
The Wildlife Corridor between Eastwood State Forest and Oxley Wild Rivers National Park will be severed by the location of a waste dump at the proposed site. This will place the many vulnerable species of native wildlife that use the Wildlife Corridor at risk from feral and predatory animals and vermin.
2. Negative Effects on Tourism
Site 7 is located approximately one kilometre south of the Waterfall Way. Also known as the Grafton Road, this road is a National Tourist Drive (Number 19), and connects Coff’s Harbour to the New England area.
The Waterfall Way is heavily promoted by both local government Council’s between Armidale and Coff’s Harbour, as well as businesses whose primary revenue stems from tourism.
The NRMA has voted the Waterfall Way as ‘One of the Ten Best Drives in NSW’.
The proposed waste dump site is visible for well over a kilometre in length along the Waterfall Way. It will be the first significant landmark that visitors to Armidale travelling along the Waterfall Way will encounter and will remain a lasting memory when they leave.
Armidale Dumaresq Council has stated that its intention is to plant a screen of trees to hide the waste and rubbish dump, however this would be entirely inadequate, as most of the view of the site is looking down on the dump and no trees will be tall enough to hide the blight on the landscape.
Many businesses in Armidale have staked their financial future on servicing the growing tourism trade in Armidale. Companies such as Fleet Helicopters provide aerial tours of the rivers and gorges around Armidale, other business provide guided walking tours in the area and ecotourism is heavily promoted.
All of these businesses, including the many hotels, motels and guesthouses in Armidale would be significantly negatively affected by the location of a waste dump in such a prominent location.
3. Social Impact on the Community
Although the Gara Valley Environmental Preservation Association was formed with the primary aim of environmental protection and preservation, the impact that the proposed dump site will have on the local community deserves to be recognised.
One major result of the decision to locate the dump at Site 7 will be a large increase in the number of dump, rubbish and waste trucks that will travel along the single lane Waterfall Way.
There are also a large number families living within close proximity to the proposed dump site. Some of the surrounding houses will be able to view the dump site directly. In addition, the amenity of these residents will be affected by the increased noise, odours, dust, vermin and flies which inevitably accompany every waste dump. There will also be significant impact on existing and future farming, horticultural and business activities with the possible spread of disease, weeds and insects.
With a very low level of ambient noise in the surrounding area, any noise caused by the daily movements of reversing vehicles and machinations of bulldozers and trucks will be heard great distances up and down the Gara Valley.
Additionally there has been concern expressed by residents of Kempsey, appalled that the leachate which enters the Gara will eventually enter the Macleay River further downstream and thereafter end up in their town’s drinking water.
Despite being made aware of this issue, Armidale Dumaresq Council remains determined to proceed with a waste dump on the Gara River regardless of the far-reaching implications.
