Kangaroo Valley sewerage scheme
Background and Overview
Shoalhaven Council has been investigating the options for providing sewerage services to Kangaroo Valley Village . The options were narrowed down to three: A traditional gravity system, a vacuum system or a pressure system. You can find out more about these systems by reading Sewerage Collection Systems Compared - Pressure systems.
At its July 2006 meeting, Council resolved to proceed with a pressure sewerage system to include a water reclamation facility and irrigation management plan. This is explained in detail in the finalised ‘Option Development Report’ prepared by CH2M Hill Consultants. You can view the Executive Summary of this report by clicking on the link to the right; and the full report is available for viewing at Council’s Administration Centre in Nowra and Nowra Library.
Objectives
The main objectives for this upgrade are to improve the system of sewerage collection and treatment for the village. Perhaps just as important given the dry Australian climate, another major objective is to connect Kangaroo Valley into the Reclaimed Water Management Scheme (REMS) which will provide vital irrigation to farms and recreational facilities around the region.
Current Status
Since its adoption by Shoalhaven City Council, the preferred sewerage scheme concept has been further investigated and assessed by engineers, scientists and other experts. Their findings are brought together to form an overall assessment of the preferred sewerage scheme option in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The purpose of the EIS is to explore the potential environmental, cultural, social and economic impacts associated with the construction, implementation and ongoing operation of the proposed Kangaroo Valley Sewerage Scheme.
The EIS includes comprehensive research and consultation to provide:
- An outline of the proposed Kangaroo Valley Sewerage Scheme and effects it may cause;
- Details of existing wastewater management systems and conditions in the scheme area;
- An assessment of the impacts that may be generated by the scheme;
- Information on methods for reducing and controlling any potentially adverse impacts;
- A summary of the public consultation undertaken as part of the scheme’s development; and
- A series of environmental management plans and mitigation measures for various aspects of the scheme.
The EIS was publicly advertised and exhibited between 1 May 2008 and 2 June 2008. A Community Information Session was also run in Kangaroo Valley on 17 May 2008.
A total of 13 written representations on the proposed scheme were received following the public exhibition of the EIS. Of these responses, six were from members of the public, one from the Kangaroo Valley Community Associates and six from Government Agencies.
Most representations were generally supportive of the proposed scheme but raised a number of issues that they would like addressed. Water quality and heritage issues were the major concerns.
Representations on the proposed scheme were considered by Council and the other determining authorities in accordance with statutory requirements.
Meetings were held with representatives of the Sydney Catchment Authority and some local stakeholders to discuss issues raised in their representations.
Council then produced a report on the proposed scheme as required by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (Clause 243 Report). The report considers the EIS, representations made by stakeholders, the effects of the proposed scheme on the environment and proposed mitigation measures.
Council, with the concurrence of the other determining authorities, considered the Clause 243 Report at its Ordinary Meeting on 16 December 2008.
At this meeting Council determined that the proposed scheme should proceed subject to a number of approval conditions which would mitigate any adverse effects of the scheme on the environment.
Adopted Scheme
The adopted scheme for Kangaroo Valley will consist of:
- A pressure sewerage system for collection of wastewater in Kangaroo Valley Village and Barrengarry and transfer it to a water reclamation facility (WRF);
- An advanced WRF and reclaimed water storage located at Site D3 to the north of the village;
- An irrigation system that will maximise beneficial reuse of reclaimed water on agricultural land; and
- A diversion system that will allow surplus, high quality reclaimed water flows to be released into Kangaroo River system.
More information
For more information about the background, workings and features of the scheme you can follow the links at the top right of this page