Baiada’s non-compliant wastewater record
CONCERNS have been raised about Manilla’s impending poultry development, as councillors put Baiada on notice about its history of non-compliance with wastewater dumping.
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Manilla-based councillor Jim Maxwell said he had genuine concerns about Baiada’s record in light of the poultry development set to go ahead in the small community.
“I’m very nervous, this is the same poultry processor is set to build on top of the Manilla water supply,” Cr Maxwell said.
A report considered at Tuesday’s council meeting revealed the chicken processor had a long history of dumping non-compliant wastewater in Tamworth’s sewer system.
Tests on Baiada’s wastewater found levels of nitrogen and ammonia were up to five times higher than the approved level.
Cr Maxwell said there was a lot of concern in Manilla about the poultry development.
“It makes you wonder, are they going to do the same with the development in Manilla,” he said.
The Manilla-broiler development was given approval in April last year, despite an appeal in the Land and Environment Court and opposition from residents.
“I’ve always thought it was a good development, it’s probably in the wrong place, I’d be happier if it wasn’t above the the water supply,” Cr Maxwell said.
The non-compliance charges issued to Baiada by council are scaled on how far the processor exceeds the trade waste agreement, on average they’re paying $200,000 a year.
Council director of water and waste Bruce Logan said the higher strength effluent coming from Baiada was taking up capacity at council’s Westdale treatment plant.
Mr Logan said the fines were in place as a disincentive.
“We want that surplus capacity to be available to other residential and commercial users,” he said.
Baiada said in a statement: "As part of our continuous improvement program we are working collaboratively with Tamworth Regional Council to improve our wastewater quality discharge.