PLANNING and construction of the proposed wastewater treatment plant at Cedar Grove is still in the early stages, but already there seem to be lessons for government in community consultation and engagement.
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Cedar Grove residents are angry about the plant being located in their suburb. The not-in-my-backyard theme championed by residents is understandable when they are opposing a plant dealing with effluent from elsewhere. Cedar Grove properties have septic tanks, while the wastewater treatment plant is expected to deal with the effluent from properties at Flagstone and maybe further afield.
The plant has been in the works, so to speak, for many years, with Cedar Grove Action Group members saying the first council record they can find of it was from 2008. A council media release dated June 28, 2016 announced council’s endorsement of sewerage infrastructure for the greater Flagstone and Yarrabilba priority development areas and some of Logan’s southern suburbs.
Under the strategy backed by council, sewerage from most of Flagstone and Jimboomba would be transferred to a new plant at Cedar Grove, for which land was acquired in 2011. Further, councillors supported the building of a second plant to service Yarrabilba, Logan Village, Greenbank, North Maclean, Park Ridge and part of Chambers Flat. At that time, council was yet to confirm where that plant would be located. The Cedar Grove plant was to come online in 2019, according to that statement.
Some Cedar Grove residents say they received a letter in 2012 about the plant and a further five years later, in May this year. They say that is the extent of the communication from government. It is no wonder they feel neglected.
Council, meanwhile, is suggesting that at least some of the blame should go to the state government, which is referring residents and media back to council. Where the buck stops remains to be seen.
