A group of Invermay residents are hoping Veolia will rethink its plans to build a waste processing centre at the former Humes concrete manufacturing site.
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In July a development application was lodged with the City of Launceston council, who utilise the services of Veolia, to build a recycling centre at 19-25 Churchill Park Drive, Invermay.
On Saturday about 70 residents living near the site gathered to voice their concerns about the proposed development and hopes for it to be rezoned from light industrial to commercial.
Their main issues are:
- Traffic congestion on Forster Street due to the 50 trucks to be stored at the site, with the potential for that number to increase to 70
- Safety concerns for children and adults using the street to cycle, walk, exercise or access parks
- Associated noise, vibrations and dust from the site to nearby homes
- Odour affecting nearby homes and attracting vermin
A group spokesperson said residents were supportive of recycling but could not understand why the site was chosen, deeming it inappropriate.
"If you were to ask someone if they wanted a recycling plant over their back fence they would say no, it's an inappropriate site.
"A recycling plant in Spreyton, in an industrial area not residential, processes 9500 tonnes a year but this proposes to process 11,000 tonnes near houses," they said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Above is the proposed location of the recycling site.
A traffic impact assessment found the development was not expected to adversely impact the road network or safety but the group disagreed.
A noise assessment found the predicted levels during daytime activity were low enough to unlikely cause serious annoyance to residents using their property's outdoor areas. It also found the predicted noise of trucks departing the site to be low enough to avoid waking residents up if they were parked more than 40 metres from the western boundary.
However, the group disagreed it would not disturb nearby properties, wanted a vibration assessment conducted and asked how the 40m rule/other conditions would be monitored.
An odour assessment found no items with a significant smell potential would be brought onto the site and any would be offset by 'good house keeping'. Again the group disagreed as the DA stated wasted oil, medical and contaminated waste would be on site.
The site will operate from 6am to 2pm on weekdays, but may be extended to 6pm in future. It will however be used from 3am by front lift truck drivers through until 5pm by admin workers.
Veolia were contacted for comment.
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