GERRINGONG AND GERROA SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT
The Hon. Dr A. CHESTERFIELD-EVANS: I ask the Minister representing the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning why the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act was invoked to overrule Kiama council on the siting of the new sewage treatment plant for Gerringong and Gerroa. I understand it is now proposed to site this plant at Rose Valley, changing the character of the area. I am also aware of the complaints by residents close to the sewage treatment plants at Bombo and Blackbutt. Could the Minister tell me why Rose Valley was chosen, what alternatives were considered and why they were discarded, when a draft environmental impact statement suggested a site in farmland on the eastern side of the highway as being preferred?
The Hon. M. R. EGAN: Unfortunately I am not conversant with this issue, and I shall refer the question to my colleague the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning.