Residents smell sewage plan trouble

Alex de Vos
Northern Suburbs’ residents are furious over plans for a sewage treatment plant at Corio, according to a spokesperson.
Geelong Community for Good Life’s Sue McLean said the $90 million proposal was a waste of taxpayers’ money.
“It’s severely overpriced and there is a serious question about whether this is economically sustainable,” she said.
The plant is designed to ween Shell’s oil refinery off the region’s drinking water with recycled product, freeing up five per cent of Geelong’s supply.
Authorities have earmarked a site next to Shell’s Corio refinery and within 300 metres of homes.
Ms McLean said the plant would only produce recycled water for Shell.
“They’ve said it would have the ability to irrigate Stead Park but there is no guarantee in the detailed paperwork about how much will go to Stead Park.”
Ms McLean feared odours from the plant would impact on neighbouring properties.
“The plan shows one sewage pond open to air and not fully-enclosed, as promoted by Barwon Water,” Ms McLean said.
But Barwon Water’s Paul Northey repeated the authority’s earlier promise the plant would be easy on the nose, saying the pond open to the air would not smell.
“The lagoon does not require covering because the water will be treated to Class C level, which means there will be no detectable odour.”
Mr Northey said the project would eventually expand to meet further demand for recycled water.
“The project is currently sized to provide recycled water for use at the Shell Geelong Refinery and Stead Park,” he said.
“The plant is being designed to allow future expansion as wastewater flows increase due to population growth and as recycled water demand increases in northern Geelong.”