THE council has deferred a decision to pump treated effluent into the Peel River to help high security water users like Baiada.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The councillors wanted more information before diving into the project which could cost tens of thousands of dollars in compensation for a business which currently relies on the recycled water.
The council heard an impassioned plea from local irrigator John Brigden at Tuesday's ordinary meeting who raised a raft of concerns with the scheme.
READ MORE:
He implored the council to treat effluent to highest standard to ensure there weren't implications for other farmers relying on groundwater presently.
He also railed against the council subsidising one business above all other in the region.
"If Baiada is having problems, maybe they should consider cutting their numbers like every other industry in this valley," he said.
"We have cut men off our property. We have neighbours who have no longer got men working for them.
"Everyone is paying the penalty here."
Mayor Col Murray highlighted Baiada's huge economic contribution to the city and state in defence of the council's proposal to support the company.
"There is up towards 1000 direct employees and probably a couple of thousand indirect employees that rely on the industry to be sustained," Cr Murray said.
"If you asked any one of those probably 2000-3000 workers who rely on Baiada, they would say 'yes, it is appropriate'."
The council currently pumps treated sewage from the Westdale treatment plant to a lucerne farm under contract.
Bob Ruttley works on the farm and he endorsed effluent diversion at the council meeting.
With a reliable source of water and a huge demand for fodder, he said the coming years stood to be some of their most-profitable on record.
He said there was a greater benefit for the community than growing hay at the moment.
The council would not reveal how much compensation would be paid to the farm for the water, but the mayor said it would be resolved in coming months.
In a closed session, the council requested further investigations and discussions take place in relation to future effluent from the sewage plant being redirected from the reuse farm down the Peel River.