Stink over park sewage pump
AS A COUNCILLOR REPRESENTING THE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA I MUST TAKE THEIR CONCERNS SERIOUSLY. CR RUSS COOK
PLANS for a sewage pump station in a Cranbrook park have raised the ire of residents and a Townsville councillor who have opposed the project.
But Townsville City Council yesterday approved the awarding of a $ 1.48 million contract to NQ Excavations Pty Ltd to build it and resolved to apply to the State Government to acquire “a minimal amount” of McConachy Park recreational reserve in which to house it.
Mayor Jenny Hill and water and waste committee chairman Paul Jacob defended the development of what was described as a “very important” piece of infrastruc- ture. According to the council, the infrastructure is needed to service a proposed development on an adjoining Aboriginal reserve and to address capacity issues within the Cranbook sewer system.
But ward councillor Russ Cook spoke against the officer’s recommendations and voted against adopting them.
Cr Cook said residents in and around the park had all voiced their disapproval of installing the pump station in the park.
While residents accepted the facility needed to be built, they were concerned about its location in a park used regularly by the residents and their families, he said.
“As a councillor representing the residents in the area I must take their concerns seriously,” Cr Cook said.
“I feel one site in particular the Townsville City Council could have explored further.”
Cr Hill checked with one of the council’s senior officers to confirm that the front half of the Aboriginal reserve was flood prone and not a suitable location.
“So you wouldn’t put a sewage pump station there?” Cr Hill asked, to which the officer replied: “That’s not where you would put it.”
But resident David Dance said the McConachy Park area was also flood prone and recommended a site within the reserve.
He claimed the council had paid “lip service” to their concerns and had always sought to locate the facility in McConaghy Park, dating back to March last year when the council had conducted geotechnical surveys.
Mr Dance said Ergon started putting in a new transformer and power poles near the park last November, while the council installed power lines to the site, presumably to power the pump station.
“The only reason there has been any consultation was because residents asked a question about what was going on and protested against what was happening,” Mr Dance said.
He said they would continue to lodge objections with the State Government.