Chamber supports sewerage scheme

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has backed Gosford Council's proposed extensions to the draft service area for the sewer reticulation scheme at Empire Bay.

"On the basis of last year's community consultation process, the Chamber backs the Council's proposal to include other rural-residential areas that are currently un-serviced by sewer in the Empire Bay and South Bensville areas," said Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales.

"At the moment, there are numerous businesses (some of whom are members of our Chamber) and residential properties that have, by today's standards, inadequate onsite sewer disposal which must be addressed through the State Government funding under the Cockle Bay Towns Sewerage Project.

"In the latest report to Council, it has been recommended that the additional areas identified during the consultation period late last year be included in the sewerage scheme.

"In recent years, new homes and businesses have been established which have placed greater pressure on the environment to the point where previously accepted means of onsite disposal of wastewater and sewerage are now out dated.

"These homes and businesses need to be connected to the Council's sewer system to ensure that the local environment is protected," said Mr Wales.

"Empire Bay and South Bensville were previously identified under NSW Government funding programs in the 1990s and are only just catching up now," he said.

"The Chamber supports the re-exhibition of the draft service area plan and is looking forward to the new plan being adopted by Council.

"We will be seeking assurances from any incoming government after the NSW State Election that funding for the sewerage scheme will continue to be supported as it is essential for the protection of the environment that these areas are fully sewered," said Mr Wales.

Media Release, 21 Feb 2011 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

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