LOCAL councils are concerned about the health and environmental effects of the continued deferral of the State’s infill sewerage program.
Donnybrook, Boyup Brook and Bridgetown have all been put onto an indefinite waiting list for infill sewerage, despite serious concerns about the effects of leech drains and septic tanks on their environments.
The program was deferred last year by Water Minister Graham Jacobs until more funds became available.
Nationals’ South West MLC Colin Holt has welcomed an inquiry into the program but called for Regional WA to not be forgotten.
“The deferral of the infill program causes ongoing problems and disadvantages thousands of Western Australians of basic infrastructure,” he said.
The inquiry into the program’s deferral highlighted a number of South West areas due to be completed within five years, if and when the program gets more funding. These include Boyup Brook and Bridgetown.
Donnybrook-Balingup CEO John Attwood said the entire townsite was scheduled to be on deep sewerage by 2012. “The State Govern-ment has significantly reduced the program, particularly in country areas,” he said.
“The date of completion of infill sewerage in Donnybrook is unknown.
“There are sections of the Donnybrook townsite that have been gazetted for protection as a supply of drinking water,” he said.
“This area should be undertaken first because there is potential for leakage from existing leech drains and septic systems in those areas.”
Donnybrook-Balingup Shire Council had not been advised if or when the work was to be undertaken, Mr Attwood said.
Bridgetown and Boyup Brook both have soil types not appropriate for leech drains or septic systems.
Boyup Brook CEO Alan Lamb said deep sand was okay for septic tanks and leech drains but Boyup Brook’s soil was gravelly and rocky. For a septic system to be put in, the soil had to be dug out and backfilled with sand.
“Even then it overflows and runs into backyards or public places,” he said.“It could be a health problem.”
The issue was hampering infill development in the town, Mr Lamb said.
“It’s cheaper to have infill development than new lots to meet demand for housing,” he said.“We can’t subdivide until the sewerage goes through.”
The council was disappointed by the program’s deferral. “Boyup Brook has come close to the top of the list and then dropped off,” Mr Lamb said. “The funding cuts have put the project off indefinitely, which means people in town can’t plan,” he said.
Bridgetown-Greenbushes CEO Tim Clynch said on-site effluent disposal in heavy, clay areas did not function properly. “There is not enough infiltration into the soil, and the leech drains have to be pumped out,” he said.
Sloping land also created a problem, with the effluent staying close to the surface due to the soil type and reaching the surface at points along the slope.
“The soils don’t allow it to percolate below ground,” Mr Clynch said.
While health issues associated with the problem were paramount, there were also environmental issues to consider.
“The less effluent there is, the healthier the Blackwood River will be,” he said.
“Being on a major river should prioritise us but if they don’t have the money, we can’t be prioritised.”
“With State Government Budget time quickly approaching, I believe funds for this program should be a priority for the minister and the Water Corporation,” Mr Holt said.
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