A concerned resident of Corndale who did not wish to be named is angry at Rous Water for failing to notify her that a fluoride dosing plant will be built in her neighbourhood.
The woman only learnt of the plan by chance and said neither she nor any other neighbour she had spoken to had been told about the dosing plant. She is concerned that residents in other areas where dosing plants are being built may also be in the dark.
“I think people need to be informed about what’s going – these are buildings with pumps going all the time and they are full of toxic chemicals,” the resident said. “None of Rous Water’s information that I have seen has identified exactly where the plants will be. If we were not informed I assume residents near the other three plants don’t know about it either.”
However, Rous Water general manager Kyme Lavelle said there was no consultation on the purchase of property, due to confidentiality.
“However we do consult about the construction and operation of facilities, which is currently what we are doing with the Review of Environmental Factors,” he said.
Rous Water is inviting submissions on the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) that has been undertaken to assess the environmental impacts from the construction and operation of four fluoride plants, which include issues of noise, safety and amenity for local residents.
Rous Water will build and operate plants at Dorroughby, Corndale, Clunes and Knockrow to ensure fluoridated water is supplied to Lismore, Ballina and Richmond Valley council areas. Another will be built at Marom Creek that will be owned and managed by Ballina Shire Council to supply fluoridated water to residents not serviced by Rous Water.
The REF has been on exhibition since December 21 and submissions were due by January 18. However Rous Water has now extended the deadline until February 5.
The REF can be downloaded from the Rous Water website or viewed at the Rous Water administration centre at Level 4, 218-232 Molesworth St, Lismore.
Anonymous submissions will not be considered.
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