The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has concluded its assessment of a proposal by TasWater for Bicheno Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), 18228 Tasman Highway, Bicheno in Glamorgan Spring Bay Council.
The proposal involves approval of the WWTP, minor upgrade works to improve treatment performance, and change of effluent discharge regime from 'partial reuse' where a proportion of effluent is discharged to the adjacent Old Mines Lagoon to a 'full reuse' regime. Under 'full reuse' all effluent will be discharged to an expanded Bicheno Recycled Water Scheme (the Wastewater Reuse Scheme or WRS), except in rare conditions. The operation of the WRS does not form part of this proposal.
The EPA Acting Executive Director, Environmental Assessments, Helen Mulligan, who made the determination under delegation from the EPA Board, concluded that the proposed development can be managed in an environmentally sustainable and acceptable manner, with certain conditions. The Board requires these conditions to be included in any permit subsequently granted by the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council.
“Various environmental issues were considered in the assessment, particularly ensuring effluent quality from the WWTP is improved and maintained, that the current impacts of the effluent on Old Mines Lagoon are addressed and measures are imposed to address potential groundwater impacts," Helen Mulligan said.
Public consultation was open for 28 days from 29 February 2024. No representations were received in relation to the proposal.
The proposal was considered by the Board's delegate in the context of the sustainable development objectives of the Resource Management and Planning System of Tasmania (RMPS), and in the context of the objectives of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control System (EMPCS) established by the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA).
The functions of the EPA are to administer and enforce the provisions of EMPCA, to further the RMPS and EMPCS objectives and, in particular, to use its best endeavours to protect the environment of Tasmania.
The Bicheno WWTP environmental assessment report undertook assessment of the proposal in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Principles defined in Section 74 of the Act.
The environmental assessment report, including the environmental conditions, has been issued to the proponent and Glamorgan Spring Bay Council.
This decision and all assessment documents can be viewed at TasWater, Bicheno Wastewater Treatment Plant and Recycled Water Scheme Expansion Project.
Published on:
3/06/2024