Community members with an interest in the Merimbula Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) upgrade and Ocean Outfall project are invited to attend information sessions being held in Merimbula this weekend.
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The project stems from NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and community advice that the existing beach-face outfall and dunal exfiltration ponds at the Merimbula Sewage Treatment Plant are not sustainable.
Bega Valley Shire Council and consultants AECOM are continuing with the concept design and environmental assessment phase of the project, with the input received from the community informing the process.
There will be no formal presentation during the sessions, so community members are invited to drop by at a time that suits for a one-on-one conversation with the project team and provide their input.
Session details
Saturday 17 March 7am-9am Bar Beach, Merimbula
Saturday 17 March 10am-noon Hylands Corner, Merimbula
Sunday 18 March 8am-noon Merimbula Seaside Markets (Ford Park, Merimbula)
Council’s general manager Leanne Barnes confirmed at the council meeting, March 14 that the ocean outfall project had been classified as State Significant Infrastructure and that the Environmental Protection Agency had ruled that dunal exfiltration was not available as an alternative.
“We will need to apply for state and /or federal funding to achieve the funding for this. The people in Merimbula will not be asked to pay for the ocean outfall,” Ms Barnes said.
In an unrelated question from councillor Jo Dodds about activity around the Merimbula Main Beach outfall, acting director transport and utilities Ian Macfarlane said that since December the outfall pipe had not been used and there had been dunal exfiltration only.
For more information about the events visit the project website www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au/MerimbulaSTPupgrade or contact the project team on 1800 317 028 or at merimbulaSTPupgrade@begavalley.nsw.gov.au.
