THE controversial organic recycling plant is a step closer to reality after close to four years of hurdles and stumbling blocks.
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Councillors voted, unanimously, to send the organic recycling development application to a state planning panel for approval at their meeting on Tuesday night.
The project has been a flash-point for many in the community over the years with people living near proposed sites kicking up a stink over a range of issues.
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John Simon lives "next door" the current site the council has pegged for the project.
He spoke at Tuesday's meeting and said recent downpours had highlighted flooding and biosecurity concerns for nearby properties.
Mr Simon raised fears about leachate dams at the recycling facility overflowing in rain events.
"It's a major concern for me," he said.
"What happens if that ends up in the Peel?
"What guarantee can you give us that you won't poison the river and poison us."
The council unanimously voted in favour of the development, but some councillors appeared gun-shy particularly after a previous DA was scuttled.
Glenn Inglis moved to ensure the joint regional planning panel were made aware of Mr Simon's concerns.
Cr Inglis also voted against the council beginning to draw up tender documents before the project was approved.
Waste director Bruce Logan said council funds wouldn't be put at jeopardy because the planning panel would hand down a decision next Wednesday.
"If approval wasn't granted, we would stop the process," Mr Logan said.
Cr Inglis argued the council should wait eight days rather than "create that complication".
"It doesn't seem like good governance," Cr Inglis said.
There was a heightened level of interest in the community about the project with more than 100 submissions made during the public exhibition period.
About half were discounted because names and addresses weren't included, going against state planning guidelines.
Mark Rodda asked if these guidelines were readily available.
Acting planning director Sam Lobsey said a set of guidelines had to be included when the notifications went out. Mr Lobsey believed the guidelines were included in this instance.
The planning panel will meet to determine the development application lodged by the council on Wednesday, February 19.