In December 2008, our Association became aware of this proposal for a 12,000 tonnes per annum bitumen emulsion plant. Our Association has a long standing concern over any proposals for the Maddington Industrial Area, particularly ones that have a capacity to affect the air quality in the region. We already have situations where odours and noise from existing facilities are impacting residents, and the addition of another facility is not prudent until it is fully assessed, and meets the expectations of the community.
The Association has referred this proposal to the EPA, who declined to assess the proposal. We are appealing this decision, as we feel that the proposal needs the required scrutiny of a very thorough assessment of its potential impacts before we allow it
into our community. The concerns that the Association currently have with this proposal are as follows:
1. Buffer Distances – The EPA’s Guidance Note on Separation Distances between Industrial and Sensitive Land Uses for an “Asphalt Plant” (which blends hot bitumen with aggregate) is 1000 metres. This proposal is within 100 metres of the nearest sensitive land uses (your homes). They argue that this is a bitumen emulsion plant (which blends hot bitumen, solvents, chemicals, water etc) which is not listed in the Guidance Note. If it handles hot bitumen, it’s an asphalt plant. If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck !
2. Environmental Impacts – We have concerns that the proposed plant will adversely impact the air quality in the area. This deterioration will be a result of releases of a range of bitumen related chemicals and their associated odour. Do not be fooled, as our Department of Environment would like you to believe, that an odour is not hazardous. We also have concerns on the cumulative impact of the bitumen plant and other odour sources in the area (poultry farms). This facility also proposes to release stormwater and wastewater into Bickley Brook, which is already degraded.
3. Similar Proposals – You may have read recently about a bitumen plant in Baldivis, which is 300 metres from residential homes, built without planning consent, given the go ahead by the Department of Environment, and is making life unbearable for local residents who are affected by the chemical odours, which caused headaches, burning throats, and caused their eyes to sting and water. We do not want this sort of problem in Maddington.
4. Current Environmental Performance – It would appear that the current site already has issues with the generation of odour from their wastewater handling system, and they have also caused a spill of hydrocarbons into Bickley Brook that required a clean-up of the area.
5. Inadequate Community Consultation – We also have concerns over the current level of advice and consultation that has occurred. A vague letter from the City of Gosnells, and a vague letter from the proponent, are not adequate, and are quite insulting.
Our Association is committed to stopping this proposal until it is proven that it will add to the value of our community, without poisoning the few that have to live with the impacts. Talk to your neighbours about this proposal and anyone that you think may have similar concerns.
Active communities get results, passive communities get poisoned.
The Association meets on the second Monday of the Month at the Mud Hut (cnr Brixton St and Kenwick Road) at 8pm. The next meeting is on the 9th of March.
Contact Details:
David Munut
0417 174 849
email: bickley.ward@gmail.com
