Council backs waste-water plans

Augusta Margaret River Times
Friday 7/9/2007 Page: 3

THE Augusta-Margaret River Shire Council has thrown its support behind a possible plans for a waste-water treatment facility in Gracetown after the State Government invited expressions of interest for water service providers to supply infrastructure for the community. The State Government has advertised the expression of interest as plans unfold to develop the LandCorp 140-home site in the town.

Shire president Steve Harrison told last week's council meeting the council was "very strongly" in support of the State Government's request for expressions of interest, and hoped a similar project could be undertaken in Witchcliffe. Cr Harrison told his colleagues the council was gaining a reputation for being environmentally responsible, and he hoped Gracetown and Witchcliffe could be two of the State's "most sustainable communities".

In a statement issued last week, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the proposed waste-water treatment system in Gracetown would provide a high-quality, non-drinking water supply for the town to complement existing rainwater tanks. "The proposed recycled water system will be the first large-scale residential water system in the State which provides `A+ class' recycled water directly into toilets and laundries of individual homes," Ms MacTiernan said. "The proposed water system will provide non-drinking water for both the proposed (LandCorp) development and the existing townsite to complement individual households' rainwater tank supplies. "The new system will also supply water for fire-fighting."

Ms MacTiernan hoped the waste-water treatment could be powered by a wind-turbine system, capable of producing 60kW of electricity. Expressions of interest for the waste-water facility close on Tuesday, October 2.