After months of deferment and independent assessments, Cowra Council has approved the controversial Polpure development application at the site of the town's treatment works, despite objection from a number of councillors and local land owners.
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In approving the amended Development Application at Monday night's meeting, Council stressed the careful and lengthy investigation undertaken throughout the application process to ensure all EPA requirements will be met by Polpure and to address issues raised by neighbours and the community.
Councillor Judi Smith said Council has given sufficient time to address the objectors' concerns, namely the inclusion of a compost pad, which was withdrawn from the amended application.
"This has been a long, drawn out, complex issue," Cr Smith said.
"Council I think has been very fair to the objectors.
"For those reasons, I think it's time we bite the bullet."
Councillor Ray Walsh echoed his colleagues statements, saying he could understand the concerns of landowners on North Logan Road.
"No composting will take place on the site,"Cr Walsh said.
"Coming from a rural background, I understand the concerns of the objectors.
"This will be unable to cause any concern or damage to the people downstream."
The facility will treat a range of liquid wastes such as grease trap waste, mechanical workshop/oily water, drill mud and agricultural processing waste, so as to limit the amount of liquid waste that needs to be disposed of via landfill.
The decision was met with uncertainty and concern from Councillors Ian Brown, Peter Wright and Jack Mallon, who all opposed the motion.
"This DA has taken many twists and turns," Cr Brown said.
"I'm not comfortable with a decision to go ahead," Cr Wright said.
"If we approve this and something goes pearshaped, it's the people of Cowra who have to clean up the mess."
The majority of the councillors however saw an economic and environmental opportunity in the development.
"I'm a bit of an optimist and this is good for our Shire," Councillor Ruth Fagan said.
"This is a really good step to create something better for our environment."
It is expected the facility will employ two to three full time staff inclusive of drivers and site employees.
The operation of plant and machinery will be confined to daylight hours, seven days per week.
Councillor Bill West said ultimately the development will help Cowra and that the two independent assessments were almost identical in their recommendations.
"I fully acknowledge the issues on both sides," Cr West said.
"I think their are advantages to this development."
Septic tank wastes were included as one of the waste streams for approval as part of the DA but will not be utilised until a process and site for its disposal is approved by the EPA and included in the EPA licence.
