THE Cedar Grove wastewater treatment plant that caused a stink among residents will go ahead but the community will have a say in its development.
Logan City Council on Tuesday voted for the public to be notified of the application for the wastewater treatment plant in February.
Councillors also approved a recommendation for council’s water infrastructure manager to establish a community reference group for residents and stakeholders to provide input into the development of the plant.
In October, Cedar Grove residents tabled a petition with nearly 600 signatures through the clerk of Queensland Parliament appealing for the state government to put a stop to the development of the plant at Cedar Grove.
They cited health and environment-related concerns, increased road traffic, smell and pipes crossing the flood-prone Logan River.
It is almost too little too late, but I have to do the best I can for the community.
- Cr Trevina Schwarz
Cedar Grove Action Group chairwoman Debbie Brezac said they were disappointed the plant would go ahead.
“We always knew it was going to be an uphill battle,” she said.
“We are ready to start encouraging the community to lodge letters with their concerns.
“We will deal with each process as it goes through.”
Cr Trevina Schwarz said it was unfair Cedar Grove would be impacted by the wastewater treatment plant that would deal with effluent from the greater Flagstone priority development area.
She said she would push for the community to receive a benefit in return and and the reference group would be a voice for the community.
“It is almost too little too late, but I have to do the best I can for the community,” she said.
“They should have been afforded the opportunity to be involved in 2009 and 2012.”
Cr Schwarz said council, Logan Water, the Urban Land Development Authority, Queensland Water Commission and the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning were to blame for the lack of community engagement.
“They all had a hand in the pie at some stage,” she said.
“The process was done very poorly.
“The consultation should have been wider than it has been.”
Cr Schwarz said she would request meetings at the site during daylight hours so residents could understand what’s proposed.
“I will also request the people who are immediately impacted by the plant are given the opportunity to tour another treatment plant so that they have inside knowledge of the plant,” she said.
