The NSW Government has reversed its decision to have contaminated material from a Hunters Hill site used to process uranium ore dumped at a landfill site in Kemps Creek.
Earlier this month, Penrith City Council “robustly voiced” its opposition to the planned proposal.
At the time Acting Deputy Mayor, Ross Fowler said Council was appalled that toxic material such as this could end up within Penrith City.
However, NSW Premier Kristina Keneally announced on Sunday that the government would seek alternative arrangements for the waste.
A media spokesperson for the NSW Land and Property Management Authority (LPMA), confirmed with Government News that the material from Nelson Parade, Hunters Hill, will not be disposed of at the Kemps Creek waste facility.
“The Premier has stated that, given the community concern regarding this material, alternative options will be considered including interstate and overseas options,” the spokesperson said.
“LPMA will expand the terms of its environmental assessment to include alternative options for disposal.”
The spokesperson said the material would be classified as restricted solid waste and could be disposed of at licensed landfill site.
“LPMA will expand the terms of its environmental assessment to include alternative options for disposal.”
The spokesperson said the material would be classified as restricted solid waste and could be disposed of at licensed landfill site.
“While it’s yet to be determined as to what happens to the waste, it will stay where it is until an alternative waste disposal location is confirmed,” he said.
Penrith Council spokesperson, Carl Spears, told Government News that for too long Western Sydney has been seen as the first option for the disposal of the rest of Sydney’s waste.
“Clearly, a long-term State Government strategy is required for Sydney’s waste disposal needs for all types of material and we hope the Premier’s decision is the first step in that strategy,” he said.
“A strategy that does not have the massive impact on a single community such as Penrith is currently experiencing.”
Mr Spears said the Council had taken steps toward resource recovery and waste disposal within its own borders and expected others to do the same rather than burden Penrith with their waste.
Mr Spears said the Council had taken steps toward resource recovery and waste disposal within its own borders and expected others to do the same rather than burden Penrith with their waste.
"Sensible long-term options that address residents’ waste disposal requirements need to be looked at properly, whether they live in Hunters Hill or Sydney’s west."
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