Stop the Arm End effluent pipeline
Currently the Clarence City Council is assessing the Development Application Pipeline D-2018/455 lodged by the developer.
Read why we believe this application should be refused.
The Arm End golf course proponent wants to construct an effluent pipeline under the Derwent River and along South Arm Road to Arm End Reserve. The effluent pipeline will irrigate the long delayed golf course with treated water from the Blackman's Bay sewage treatment plant. Using effluent will exclude the public from Arm End reserve for lengthy periods and its use will turn many locals and visitors off ever visiting the reserve. The high nutrient effluent will damage regenerating native vegetation around the reserve's coast. The endangered spotted handfish will be at risk from drilling and spillage of effluent.
The only concession the community has from the golf course proponent was guaranteed public access at all times but they are now going back on that promise. This is the fourth alteration to the Arm End golf course proposal and this development by stealth must be stopped.
You can help us protect Arm End Reserve and the Spotted Handfish by making a representation to Clarence City Council. Fill out the form with your message to council.
The Clarence City Council (CCC) should refuse the pipeline because:
1. Severe impact on recreational access and enjoyment:
Irrigating the proposed golf course using treated effluent will prohibit the public from entering the reserve while irrigation is occurring and for a lengthy period afterwards. Excluding the public and spraying effluent on Arm End Reserve contravenes the CCC Planning Scheme by:
impacting "adversely on the recreational use of the land" (18.1.1.1. Zone Purpose, Recreation Zone).
failing to "complement and enhance the use of the land for recreational purposes"
(18.3.5. Discretionary Use Performance Criteria, Recreation Zone).
2. Effluent impact on Natural Values of Arm End and adjacent areas
The use of high nutrient effluent to irrigate 40 hectares of the Arm End Reserve (greens and fairways) and the potential for effluent to go beyond the target area (spray drift and flow) will have:
unacceptable impacts on the reserves native vegetation including threatened plants, contrary to the CCC Planning Scheme (27.1 Purpose, Natural Values Code); and
unacceptable impacts on the natural values outside the reserve e.g. local beaches and bays including the Spotted Handfish population at Mary Ann Bay, contrary to the CCC Planning Scheme
(2.1. Purpose and 3.0. Objectives (see note).
3. Impact of treated effluent on native species not assessed
The use of treated effluent will have negative impacts on nutrient intolerant native species and benefit many weed species, which has not been assessed and is contrary to CCC Planning Scheme assessment requirements (E.27.5 Application Requirements, Natural Assets Code).
4. Installation and operation of pipeline could destroy Spotted Handfish population at Halfmoon Bay
The drilling and installation of the pipeline underneath Halfmoon Bay could go dangerously wrong and damage the habitat of the endangered handfish. Contrary to the CCC Planning Scheme, no provisions are in place for preventing drilling accidents or mitigating impacts if they occur. (2.1. Purpose and 3.0. Objectives - see note).
During its operation the pipeline could be damaged and effluent damage the Halfmoon Bay Spotted Handfish adults and their eggs during the breeding season. Contrary to the CCC Planning Scheme, no provisions are in place for preventing pipe damage or mitigating impacts if it occurs (2.1. Purpose and 3.0. Objectives - see note).
NOTE: While the municipal boundary only extends to the high tide mark, the proponent must have regard to the Planning Scheme purpose and objectives that require a development to be sustainable and threatened species protected