Three-month extension possible for Brookdale waste treatment plant

6/11/03
The State Government is considering a range of options for the treatment of septage and grease trap waste, including a three-month extension to the Brookdale liquid waste treatment plant to cover the period until the completion of the upgrade at the Woodman Point in April 2004.
The extension would prevent households with septic tanks potentially being charged hundreds of dollars for long distance transport to appropriate alternative facilities.
If approved, the extension would relate only to the processing of biological waste (septic and grease trap waste).
All other waste treatment at the plant will cease by the original December 31 deadline. The Brookdale plant stopped receiving hazardous waste in June 2002, and packaged industrial waste in June this year. Liquid industrial waste will cease by December 31.

Environment Minister Judy Edwards said negotiations with the plant operator, Cleanaway Technical Services, were underway to assess the possibility of extending the processing of biological waste at the Brookdale plant for another three months.
"It is unfortunate that the Government has had to consider this option, but if the Brookdale facility were to close completely on December 31 there would be an unacceptable cost imposed on people who have their septic tanks pumped from January through to March," Dr Edwards said.
"While some treatment plants close to Perth could take small volumes of this biological waste, it is clear some waste would have to be sent to the Water Corporation's treatment plant in Albany, and that could add about $500 to the cost of having a septic tank pumped.
"To try and avoid this impost, we will be discussing with Cleanaway Technical Services and the Brookdale Community Reference Group the option of keeping the Brookdale plant open for another three months to treat septic waste only."
Minister's office: 9220 5050