EPA considers proposal for wetlands leachate system trial

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Tasmania has concluded its assessment of a proposal by Southern Waste Solutions to construct and operate a wetlands leachate treatment system trial at Copping Landfill in the Sorell municipality.

The proposal involves construction and short term operation of a wetland and biofilter system, designed to assess how effective the technology will be for treating leachate from the category B cell at Copping Landfill. The trial is expected to last 12-18 months.

EPA Director, Wes Ford, who made the determination under delegation from the EPA Board, concluded the proposed development could 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 Sorell Council.

“Various environmental issues were considered in the assessment, particularly management of leachate,” Mr Ford said.

“The system has been designed not to discharge to the environment and this has been made a condition of any permit granted,” he said.

“Stormwater management measures must also be implemented to prevent any discharge from overflow of the system to the environment,” Mr Ford said.

No representations were received in relation to the permit application. Public consultation was open for a 16 day period from 1 December 2018.

The director’s environmental assessment report, including the environmental conditions, has been issued to the applicant and the Sorell Council for their information.

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