CLEANAWAY has officially submitted a development application with Federation Council for the organic waste facility on the outskirts of Howlong.
The application will go on public display for 28 days before an independent regional planning panel sits in judgment of its fate at a date to be fixed next year.
Federation Council administrator Mike Eden is supportive of the proposal, but Howlong Community Committee has vowed to keep up the opposition.
“The recent actions of the administrator have locked in the regional planning process and the committee will be preparing its responses,” HCC chairman Ken Walton said.
“There seems to be a determined intention by the administrator to drive this facility into the town of Howlong without regard to the views of the community and at any cost.”
Even though the compost facility decision won't be determined by Federation Council, the matter is expected to be a burning issue in the lead-up to the inaugural council elections in September next year.
A joint regional panel rejected plans to build a similar facility near Gerogery three years ago.
Cleanaway's Mathew Kiervan said 35,000 tonnes of organic material would go to the Howlong site each year if the proposal was approved.
“Once operational the facility will be open for local school tours and Cleanaway will work closely with the community to help them understand the importance of compost recycling,” he said.
“An observation deck will allow visitors to view the sorting, shredding and composting process, and Cleanaway is encouraging local residents to take advantage of the community shopfront and the Cleanaway website as key sources of information throughout the application process.”
The proposed facility will have state-of-the-art technology to ensure all compost product material complies with Australian standards and Environment Protection Authority requirements.
HCC representatives met with Mr Eden earlier this week and have also had a briefing with Cleanaway where environmental concerns and safety issues relating to truck movements were highlighted.
The committee's concerns have also been passed onto NSW Local Government Minister Paul Toole after initially asking Premier Mike Baird to halt the proposal until councillors were returned in Federation Council.
