Freewater calls for stormwater plan

Gosford Cr Peter Freewater has called on council officers to outline a stormwater management plan for the Woy Woy tip and the sewerage treatment plant after fears the council-owned and operated facilities were contributing to the contamination of Correa Bay.

Cr Freewater requested the information in a question without notice on April 6.

According to Cr Freewater, Correa Bay turns mustard yellow during heavy rain.

"It is apparent that tons of sediment enters the bay every time we get good rainfall," Cr Freewater said.

"The march of mangroves 30 metres or more beyond what was once shoreline signage is testimony to the sediment that has been filling this bay.

"I am concerned that the sediment may be coming from council owned and managed facilities."

Council's director of city services Mr Stephen Glen has responded in a report to council's last meeting.

He said that any potentially contaminated run off from council's two sewage treatment plants is returned to the head of works.

"At Woy Woy Sewage Treatment Plant this is primarily from the bio solids storage pad," Mr Glen said.

"All hard surface and grassed areas where there is no potential contamination drain to the storm water system (roads are sealed, all other areas vegetated).

"The geology surrounding council's facilities are more likely to contribute to the bay's silt accumulation.

"In particular the upper peaks are very exposed, sparsely vegetated and contain highly weathered sandstones.

"In regard to the site's specific storm water management plans, we now prepare storm water management plans before construction activities in the form of Part 5 assessments.

"There is currently no stormwater management plan for Woy Woy Sewage Treatment Plant."

A council staff report stated that Mr Glen inspected the site on April 15 to confirm that no areas of the plant had been disturbed that could contribute to silt entering the local creek and then to Correa Bay.

"Site stormwater controls at the Woy Woy Landfill are managed in accordance with the Landfill Environmental Management Plan," Mr Glen said.

"The Woy Woy Landfill operates under licence from the Environment Protection Authority and compliance with the LEMP is a condition of the licence."

The report stated that arrangements were made for a site inspection with Cr Freewater in early May to explain the stormwater management plan at the landfill.

Council agenda COR.76, 22 Jun 2010