Bateau Bay residents say they are fed up with the stench coming from the “substandard” Bateau Bay Sewage Treatment Plant.
Ann Attwater, of Bateau Bay, said in recent weeks the suburb “absolutely stunk” of raw sewage.
“The sewerage plant is completely outdated due to a combination of poor management and lack of funding,” she said.
She said the current state of the plant was a health issue and “unacceptable”.
“We all pay rates to Central Coast Council to provide basic services, which a sewerage plant is,” she said.
“I am regularly reporting the smell, which goes away and comes back, to the council.
“The plant is adjacent sporting fields, located in a large residential area and near a major shopping centre, and it smells of raw sewage.”
After reporting the stench again in late February, Attwater said she was informed by the Council there had been an in issue with the chemical treating process which was causing the smell.
A recent Council report stated work was underway to address the odour at the plant with the first stage completed in December and the next stage ready to start early this year.
Completion date for the odour control systems was anticipated in mid-2024.
“What I can’t believe is how did we get to this in the first place?” Attwater said.
“Why isn’t it a basic priority?
“It’s disgraceful. Why do I need to keep ringing the Council to tell them the plant stinks?
“Where are the checks and balances?
“It’s just not good enough.”
Attwater said Council needed to plan for the future.
“We need to know the long-term plan and whether this facility will meet the needs of the community going forward – I don’t think it will,” she said.
“Are we investing in the future with this plant, or is Council just playing catch-up?
“The Council has an obligation towards the health of the community.
“Surely we can do better.”
A Council spokesperson said Central Coast Council Water and Sewer was allocating $35M towards the upgrades of the Bateau Bay Sewage Treatment Plant to not only future-proof the asset but help address the presence of odour.
“The program of works will optimise the capacity of the treatment plant and address ageing assets,” the spokesperson said.
“The works have considered the likely population growth over the project’s planning horizon (10-15 years) and would integrate with any future major upgrades to the plant.
“The works have commenced with design work now completed, meeting operational requirements.
“Construction work has commenced with good progress seen to date.”
Council is currently working towards resolving the chemical dosing issues being experienced within the sewerage network, which has been exacerbating the odour-related issues.
The spokesperson said the project remained on track for commissioning, with an estimated construction completion timeframe of September 2024.
Sewage treatment plants sometimes smell like sewage. Who knew?
The council is a disaster and completely incompetent, I’ve complained about the sewer and traffic management many times but get nothing but pass the buck replies.
Not good enough! What’s the hold up? This is a huge problem for us residents to have to endure this awful sewerage smell every day! We want action now for this health problem! We pay huge amount of rates etc what for we have no duty of care from the council . Action is needed now!
No good enough! What’s the hold up? This is a huge problem for us residents to have to endure this awful sewerage smell every day! We want action now for this health problem! We pay huge amount of rates etc what for we have no duty of care from the council . Action is needed now!