*UPDATES AS BELOW - PLEASE READ FULLY.

WE DEMAND TWEED SHIRE COUNCIL TO STOP CONSTRUCTION OF A 10M HIGH STINK PIPE IN BILAMBIL HEIGHTS. YOU NEED TO FIND ANOTHER LOCATION! NOT OUT THE FRONT OF HOMES, WHERE IT AFFECTS HOMEOWNERS AND ALL SURROUNDING NEIGHBOURS.

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AN EMAIL SENT TO COUNCILORS, HEAD ENGINEERS AT TWEED SHIRE COUNCIL, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF TWEED SHIRE COUNCIL AND MAYOR CHRIS CHERRY ON NOVEMBER 9TH 2023 IS BELOW. ONLY TWO RESPONSES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SAYING MY EMAIL WAS FORWARDED TO STAFF AND ANOTHER RESPONSE SAYING THEY WERE TRYING TO GET ANSWERS. 

"It has now been over a month since our first email communication, phone calls to you all, and our persistent queries to you regarding the hidden agenda and works for a 10-meter-high stink pipe to be constructed on McAllisters Road and Buenavista Avenue. Regrettably, we are yet to receive any responses or even clear and satisfactory responses to the questions we've raised.

Just to get things straight, we do not need clarification as to the reasons to have vent pipes. We understand the need for them.

No clear answers have been given, and even with 1 person only allowed to give a 5-minute speech at the public forum, we were not allowed to ask questions (as per Tweed Shire Council public forum rules) on October 26th 2023.

We want our questions answered, this can no longer be left in Cameron (project engineer) hands to deal with us as he not making the decisions, and is unable to answer our questions.

We need answers from you and we demand that you furnish answers to the following questions in writing:

1. Who made the decision, and what was the rationale behind the construction of a 10-meter high pipe on McAllisters Road in Bilambil Heights, when there is a less obtrusive ½ meter pipe readily available instead of a 10-meter high?

2. We require you to confirm the odors produced and the smells generated by ventilation pipes ranging from ½ meter to 10 meters in height. Some assert that there will be no odors, and we insist on receiving this in writing. It is imperative to emphasize that our homes and those of our neighbors are two-story structures and this pipe is planned to go right out the front of them.

3. There is an existing older pipe only five houses down from the corner of McAllister Road and Buenavista Avenue. You stated over the phone that one such pipe is required for every 50 houses. In light of this, why is a new pipe being constructed in such close proximity to an existing one? Also, most pipes are located in parks and reserves.

4. Why is the council not considering the construction of new manholes and an updated sewage system in areas earmarked for future development? This should have been addressed during the approval of new developments. According to Nigel, the Head Engineer at Tweed Shire Council, he told us over the phone that the current sewage system is operating effectively in Bilambil Heights, and the proposed 10-meter high ventilation pipe is intended for future developments. Why don't they build 

5. I have repeatedly requested a list and map that displays the alleged 220 10-meter high pipes in the shire. To date, we have not been provided with this list to substantiate the council's claims. I have received 21 pictures showing approximately 11 pipes from Tweed Shire, with addresses that depict pipes not all 10 meters in height and are in parks and reserves. The remaining 10 or so pictures of pipes in front of homes also do not meet the 10-meter height criterion. Furthermore, Tim Mackney made erroneous claims on ABC North Coast radio regarding the presence of 220 10-meter pipes in the area. The evidence I have received does not support this assertion, as most of the pipes are not situated in front of homes.

6. Why is vacant land found around Bilambil Heights not considered as an alternative location for the construction of a new manhole? If the existing pipes in that area are insufficient, it indicates a need to upgrade the infrastructure to accommodate increased flow. This location is unquestionably superior to the current plans.

WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE AND NOW, GOES AGAINST YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR PEOPLE AND PLACES. It goes against your CommunityStrategic Plan 2022-2032 outlining Council values and statements. COUNCIL VALUES AND STATEMENTS

As per the Water Services Association of Australia - APPENDIX E GUIDELINES FOR VENTILATION OF RETUCULATIONS SEWERS WATERS SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

E2.1 Location and spacing of educt and induct vents states:

Educt vents shall be located:

(b) as far as practicable from dwellings and other habitable areas, especially where buildings are likely to be more than one storey high.

What are Educt Vents? Standard sewer vents or educt vents are designed to release noxious gases from a sewer network. They are generally tall, and the gas released from standard vents dissipates, so the odour dilutes before reaching ground level.

Here are the facts so far of what we know:

The Tweed Shire Council has works in place to replace a section of sewer mains and also to construct a new sewer rising ventilation pipe - 10M high with plans to put this on the corner of McAllisters Road and Buenavista Avenue. 

No official notification or consultation has been given to local residents of the works about to take place starting Monday, October 16th prior. This pipe is planned to go on the corner of where a 2-story home is, which will directly affect the owners, and the neighbour's homes at the 4-point intersection, each corner where homes are located all around will be significantly impacted.

The pipe will emit sewage emissions which is methane gas, right next to our homes. This is air pollution which will affect our health, we can't open up any windows as the smell will stink, and many of us will be affected by the terrible smell including those with breathing difficulties. Sewer pipelines often produce toxic gases including hydrogen sulphide (more widely known as ‘rotten egg gas’) which sewer vent pipes release. While odour is one aspect, it’s not the only one.

It is 10m high which is a huge eyesore, it encroaches on immediate surrounding homes, property values will decrease, and it is not the right place to be erected in our small community.

Would Tweed Council members be happy if a stink pipe was constructed out the front of their property? How would you feel if you were totally kept in the dark about this?

Would you be happy if you had to live with a stink pipe that was put on your front property, your home that you have worked so hard in life to get and then be expected to live with the stink and health risks for the rest of your life?

There are other alternative options for locations where this pipe can be constructed. Including the areas that have been approved for future development which is why the upgrade is happening in the first place. 

Please sign the petition to stop the construction of the new sewer pipe on McAllisters Road and Buenavista Drive!!! The community was not consulted, the homeowners around our entire neighbourhood will be affected and they had no idea about this until last minute, and we will all have to live with the health effects this will bring.

Please sign the petition this petition will go to the meeting next week that the project managers will hopefully hold.

Note the following:

• Tweed Shire Council has works to replace a 390 m section of sewer main and install a new 10M high sewer rising main ventilation pipe with works commencing this Monday, October 16th.
• Location of the works planned is on the corner of McAllisters Road and Buenavista Ave and Lamanda Court and Mountain View Esplanade.
• No community consultation or notification has been given to the home owner or neighbours and no opportunities for residents to voice their objections and concerns regarding works that will affect their home and environment.
• Residents found out about works by asking local council workers what they were doing on Wednesday, October 11th.
• A letter arrived in a few residences letterboxes on Thursday, October 12th after raising questions with workers, stating the attached. However, location for all works was not included (McAllisters Road and Buenavista Avenue), the issuing date was back on October 4th, no reference number was stated, and works are very vague. 
• Sewer pipelines often produce toxic gases including hydrogen sulphide (more widely known as ‘rotten egg gas’) which sewer vent pipes release. While odour is one aspect, it’s not the only one.

Now hear this - we heard that the upgrade and stink pipe is to accommodate for new developments approved.

There might be another 'meeting' to discuss our disapproval of the location of the pipe, so please sign the petition so our voice can be heard!!!

ACTION THAT WE WANT THE TWEED SHIRE COUNCIL TO TAKE:

• Stop all future works for construction of a 10 M stink pipe out the front of McAllisters Road and Bueanvista Avenue. We want Tweed Shire Council, their engineering team and designers to go back to the drawing board to investigate and find alternative locations that is not out the front of someone's home and other homes where residents are affected by a stink pipe and major eyesore. 
• Bilambil Heights is a rural area with many open spaces and land available. Find another location.
• Since the upgrade is for future development, we want the council to consider putting the pipe in the new development areas if that is what the upgrade is intended for. 
• We insist that Tweed Shire Council reevaluate its approach to community engagement, starting with open and proactive communication with affected residents. A project of this nature, especially when it may encroach on the immediate surroundings of homes, should be conducted with the utmost consideration for the local community.
• We want a map available showing the locations of the 225 stink pipes in the Tweed Shire that you claim are out. 
• We want to know out of the 225 10m high sewage pipes, what number of these are out the front of privately owned homes (rate payers) and were the residents notified at all of the pipe that was to be constructed.
• We want to know how many of the 225 10 m high pipes are in parks and reserves in the Tweed Shire. 

This is disgraceful!!! Let me quote you the Community Strategic Plan 2022-2032 taken from the Tweed Shire Councils page regarding Council values and statements: What we value:

-They claim "We look after people and our places, explore all opportunities, and are proud of our passionate approach." but they have failed to do so here.

-They claim : "We care about each other, choose to be here, and are in this together." but they have failed to do so here.

-They claim "We have conversations where everyone can contribute, and we are willing to have a go. We put back in to make a difference, so that our Tweed community is even better tomorrow than it is today."but they have failed again to do so here.

WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE AND NOW, GOES AGAINST YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR PEOPLE AND PLACES.