Tweed Shire Council awarded two grants worth $583,141

The Tweed and Weddin Shire Councils have been awarded more than $655,000 in grants as part of food recovery programs being delivered by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

where possible as well as the installation of illegal dumping deterrence measures.

in Murwillumbah and Uki.

David Oxenham, Council’s Director of

Engineering, highlighted that the environmental impact assessment’s fnal stages are underway.

The team, along with independent consultant KBR, is completing necessary studies for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is slated for submission to the NSW Government in mid-2024.

The community is encouraged to attend the sessions, where the team will be available to address inquiries and discuss the proposal. The sessions are scheduled for:

• Tuesday, February 6, from 4 to 6.30 pm at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1473 Kyogle Road, Uki.

• Wednesday, February 7, from 12 to 2 pm at the CWA Hall, 20 Queens Street, Murwillumbah.

For those unable to attend in person, questions and future updates can be accessed on Council’s online engagement page at yoursaytweed.com.au/ raisingclarriehall-eis.

The ongoing studies by KBR encompass various aspects, including cultural heritage, biodiversity, fooding, water quality, hydrology, traffc and road safety, noise, air quality, social impact, and climate change. The EIS will thoroughly investigate potential impacts, propose mitigation measures, and outline plans for managing these impacts.

Council plans to submit the EIS to the NSW Department of Housing, Planning, and Infrastructure in mid2024, initiating a public exhibition period. During this time, the community can raise concerns and offer feedback. The NSW Government will assess submissions, the EIS, and other documents before deciding on approval.

If approved, the project will be subject to specifc conditions, with community submissions having the potential to infuence these conditions. The elected Councillors will subsequently decide whether to proceed with construction.

A community update on the EIS has been mailed to surrounding areas, and an online version, along with frequently asked questions, is available at yoursaytweed.com.au/ raisingclarriehall-eis.

In supporting this crucial planning initiative under the Safe and Secure Water Program, the NSW Government emphasizes best-practice management by water utilities across Regional NSW.

New South Wales experienced severe storms and fooding in 2022 around the Hawkesbury River, South Coast, Central West and up to the Queensland border. This led to the generation of signifcant amounts of food debris across NSW and the Australian government declared many parts of NSW a natural disaster area. The EPA has led several clean-up and recovery programs to ensure the generated waste is removed in a safe, effective, and effcient manner.

The grants are being awarded under Round 1 of the Illegal Dumping and Flood Waste Program to help councils clean-up illegally dumped food waste, including asbestos or other hazardous materials, and any remaining food generated waste. The EPA is encouraging the reuse and recycling of waste

The Program follows the EPA’s shoreline clean-up which has already removed more than 24,338 cubic meters of eligible food debris across NSW since the beginning of March last year, which is equivalent to almost 10 Olympic sized swimming pools of debris.

Tweed Shire Council

• Two grants worth $583, 141.

• The frst grant is facilitating the demolition and removal of food damaged structures and cleanup food waste at Reserve Creek Road. Council land, on River Street in Tweed Shire Council, will be turned into a continuation of the green space located along the river, allowing the community to safely use and enjoy the area for recreational activities.

• Their second grant will cover clean-up of other food waste including bulky waste, dumped household waste and natural food debris from the Council owned land.