By Jenel Hunt
A section of industrial land that is an outlier to the current sewerage system has been given the green light to be included as a $1.5 million project in the Southern Downs Regional Council’s next financial year budget.
The decision came hard on the heels of the developer’s request that on-site treatment be approved but council officers cautioned against that option, saying on-site treatment for an industrial development had potential environmental and compliance risks.
“It is also very restrictive on the types of industries that can establish in this development, reducing the attractiveness for industries to establish there,” the report stated.
An alternative proposal to install a pressure sewerage system was not recommended as it would mean relying on the landowner to operate and maintain a pumping system on their lot.
“Council should be actively promoting development of industries in Warwick and making it affordable where possible. The recommended solution is for council to provide the bulk infrastructure for this development, namely a pump station and rising main.”
The pump station could be located within the development and potentially service other industrial lots as the usage in the area grew. It would start with the installation of smaller pumps that could be upgraded over time, but the suggestion was that the rising main be sized for the assumed eventual requirements.
The report outlined other advantages of sewered lots for the subdivision of land in the industry zone including a choice of land sizes because of no limitation on on-site waste water disposal system, a reduction on reliance on property owners to ensure appropriate standards were upheld, reduced risk of environmental impacts and allowing other land within the industry zone to be serviced.
“In addition, it provides a legacy for the future.”
Council could potentially cover its costs over time, the report said.
Mayor Councillor Vic Pennisi said he saw it as a ‘catalyst project for future development in that area’.
“It’s going to open up a whole area of land that at the moment doesn’t have access to the sewerage. It won’t just be this development that gains benefit from it, it will be other developments in the future,” he said.
“It could have implications if we wanted to consider event accommodation when they have the polocrosse or drags. I see it as an important piece of infrastructure, irrespective of this current development.”
