Quiet street goes to waste
Residents don’t want a dump
FINDING notes in their letterboxes, residents of Glenore Grove’s Otto Rd discovered their quiet street may soon house a dump.
As outlined in its Draft Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan, the Lockyer Valley Regional Council has proposed to build a waste facility in 2021, on a plot of land presently harbouring an abandoned quarry.
Many residents had lived on the land for more than 30 years, with Clive Harrison having just built a house in the past six months.
It was a project he wouldn’t have bothered with had he known his view of trees and greenery would soon be replaced by high impact industrial development.
“My home is 10 metres away from the quarry,” he said.
“I didn’t know anything about the tip being built or I wouldn’t have built there.”
He said though the council had actively approved his plans to build, there was no mention of the waste facility.
He feared the presence of the dump would not only smell terrible but ultimately ruin the value of his land.
The author of the notes, Susan Platz, said she penned the letters when she discovered “by accident” the council’s plans.
“We weren’t told anything by the council; we weren’t consulted,” she said.
“There was no sign up at the quarry to say this is what they intend to do.”
Mrs Platz said her family bought land on Otto Rd more than 30 years ago.
She said when it rained water would flow down the street, seeping into her property.
“Even the best-run waste transfer facility is going to have the occasional accident,” she said.
“This place is 700m from Laidley Creek. Where do you think the run-off from poisons are going to go?”
Deputy Mayor Jason Cook said the council understood the impact proposed changes may have on residents.
“Council is committed to ensuring 80 per cent of residents have a waste facility within a 20-minute drive,” he said.
The cut-off date to lodge a submission has been extended until April 22. To submit feedback visit lockyervalley.engagementhub.com.au.