A major new privately-owned waste processing centre is back on the agenda for Helensburgh, with industry giant Bingo seeking permission to process 200,000 tonnes of waste a year on the Walker St site.
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Bingo says the facility would accept building and construction waste, soils and organics, asphalt, dry household waste, gas bottles, car batteries, paint, oils and other chemicals.
Under the plan lodged with the Planning Department, three new buildings would be built at 159 Walker St, for a recycling centre, landscape supplies facility, and a building waste recycling facility.
The land in question is zoned IN2 light industrial, after a protracted battle by the land’s former owners the Blackwell family which succeeding in having three blocks excised from the surrounding environmental zoning.
Last year the Blackwells sold their businesses and land at 159 Walker St and at Kembla Grange to Bingo, which closed the Helensburgh facility in January 25, with a spokesman saying Bingo wanted to concentrate on Kembla Grange.
The site also backs on to bush zoned E2 environmental conservation, including creeks and gullies that feed the Hacking River, and land zoned E3 environmental management.
E2 zoning does not allow development other than environmental facilities, agriculture or recreation areas. E3 zoning allows only limited develop which does not have an adverse affect on ecological, scientific, cultural or aesthetic values.
Bingo’s environmental consultant, Jackson Environment & Planning, said in its environmental assessment report that the plan would create “a fully integrated receival, processing and recycling facility” which would create 12 permanent jobs. The proponent claims it would inject $240 million into the local economy over 20 years, which it says is the sum of capital investment, operating expenditure and “product revenue”.
The proposal recognises the company would need to take action to minimise stormwater runoff from the site into the nearby Herbert Creek.
Bingo has had problems with waste disposal and environmental compliance, with the Kembla Grange facility supplying asbestos contaminated material to Lendlease’s Calderwood development, and the Environment Protection Authority prosecuting it for operating beyond its licence terms at its Minto recycling plant. Bingo claims it had an “understanding” with the EPA.
In October last year Bingo was fined $15,000 by the EPA for unlawfully accepting asphalt waste at Helensburgh.