Council Apologises for Septic Mess

TODAY the general manager for the Upper Hunter Shire Council, Waid Crockett apologised for the letter sent to septic service providers last month and said Council had arranged for septic facilities to be made available in Aberdeen from Friday.

The new arrangements follow the closure of the Scone septic service facility without consultation or noting the issues on Council public records.

Council Closes Septic Services: Eddie Bridge, owner of Scone Septic Service and Jack Smolders who lives on Bunnan Road and has a septic tank

Eddie Bridge, owner of Scone Septic said he was pleased the Council had seen sense.

“It’s a hell of a lot better than I expected,” he said.

They gave me the opportunity to be heard and I’m happy enough with the outcome and looking forward to getting back to work on Friday,” Eddie Bridge said.

At a well-attended works and technical services committee meeting this afternoon the septic waste service closure was discussed, with Eddie Bridge, a local septic services contractor tabling questions about the service.

Mr Bridge’s first question related to Council continuing to use the septic waste pit after the closure by the Environmental Protection Agency for animal waste from the adjacent animal pound.

Council’s general manager, Waid Crockett confirmed waste from the pound was being piped into the septic pit, but following discussions with the EPA the liquid waste from the pound will now be processed through the on-site sewerage waste plant instead.

Mr Crockett further clarified the animal faeces were not being deposited into the closed pit, only fluid waste from the pound.

Mr Bridge also questioned how long it would take Council to sort out agreements for dumping at the Aberdeen facility considering it had taken two months to establish agreements.

The general manager assured the contractors the Council would be expedited the process to ensure they could begin dumping waste on Friday.

Mr Bridge further asked what Council had done to inform the more than 2,500 residents with septic facilities about the changes.

The general manager said Council had drafted letters to residents to advise them that septic waste services would be reinstated in the Shire, with waste now being deposited in Aberdeen.

Cr Kiwa Fisher, who confirmed he had not been advised by Council of the closure before reading a news story on scone.com.au, Septic Stink, confirmed he had submitted a series of 12 questions to the general manger.

Cr Fisher confirmed in today’s works and technical services committee meeting that he had asked about the costs for upgrading the septic services at Scone treatment plant and was told it would only be $80,000 to $100,000.

He further sought clarification that Council had money set aside for the upgrade of facilities at Scone.

Cr Collison wanted it noted in the committee meeting minutes that he did raise the issue of the septic closure with the general manager following Mr Bridge speaking with him and raised it in the previous works and technical services committee meeting, but that it had not been placed on the public record and he wanted to ensure it was.

Mayor Wayne Bedggood also tabled his previous questions to the general manger* in relation to the matter.

*Correction: Mayor Wayne Bedggood did not table questions to the general manager, rather the director of infrastructure services. See: Who is Keeping Who in the Dark.

Mayor Bedggood said he wanted Council staff to address as a matter of urgency how Council could assist residents with septic waste which may need to be emptied before Friday.

Mr Bridge sought assurance from Council that it would ensure waste from outside the Upper Hunter Shire area was not being dumped at local facilities, which breach contract.

Cr Fisher asked how that could be policed and Mr Bridge explained companies which dump waste have a docket system which must clearly identify where each load of septic was delivered from.

The chair, Cr Campbell requested a report from council staff on what was required to bring services at the Scone sewerage facility up to standard.