Bitumen Plant appeal upheld. Plant to be referred back to the EPA.

The Bickley Ward Progress and Ratepayers Association (Inc) is pleased to announce that the Minister for the Environment and Youth, Ms Donna Faragher, has upheld the Associations Appeal on the level of assessment on the Bitumen Emulsion Plant proposed for 5 Marion Rd, Maddington. In a letter to the Association, the Minister stated that: “I have, therefore, decided to uphold the Association’s appeal to the extent that I have remitted the proposal to the EPA for the making of a fresh decision as to whether or not the proposal should be assessed. In remitting the proposal to the EPA, it is expected that the proponent will need to demonstrate whether the 80 metre separation distance between the proposed bitumen emulsion plant and nearby residential areas is sufficient to meet noise, dust, and air quality standards, particularly odour. It is also reasonable to expect that the proponent will consult with the local community during this process.”

Bickley Ward Progress and Ratepayers Association President, Mrs Sandra Baraiolo, said that “This is good news for the residents that surround the proposed bitumen emulsion plant. It established that their concerns about the proposed facility were valid, and that it had not been established that the proposed facility was able to operate without potentially affecting the health, welfare, convenience, comfort or amenity of the people that live nearby.”

“There were a number of community members that put in a huge effort in this campaign. They should congratulate themselves on a job well done. It is not often that a small community can obtain a positive result when the odds are stacked against them” she said.

“The Association would like to thank all the members of the community that collected signatures on petitions and letters of objections from residents that live close to the proposed plant. We would also like to thank Mr Andrew Waddell (MLA for Forrestfield) who presented our petitions in State Parliament and provided us with valuable advice, and Cr Terry Brown (Bickley Ward) who presented our petitions in Council” she said.

“We would also like to stress that this proposal was not the only concern that the Association has with regards to our air quality or impacts from activities that occur within the suburbs of Maddington and Kenwick. We are currently undertaking a process that will allow the community to develop a log of air quality in their areas, so that we can demonstrate our concerns to Council and the various Government Departments. Please go to the Associations website / blog (http://bickleyward.blogspot.com/ ) to get more information” she added.

The Ministers Appeal letter.

Appeals Convenors Report.