A controversial compost plant in the Lower Hunter has been approved, as long as it abides by strict restrictions and regulations.
The Land and Environment Court approved the Gardenland composting site, which operates near Seven Mile Creek on Wednesday.
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| A compost plant will operate near Grahamstown Dam [Picture: Hunter Water]. |
Seven Mile Creek is a feeder into the Grahamstown Dam, a major source of drinking water for much of the Hunter.
Environment Protection Authority composting expert Anthony Dixon told the Court the facility would be required to adopt a higher standard than the current minimum composting guidelines.
Hunter Water manages the region's dams - including Grahamstown Dam, which provides 40 per cent of the area's water - and are pleased with the new regulations.
"Some of these [regulations] are quite arduous so there's a lot that needs to be done at this business before it is able to operate," Hunter Water spokesperson Nick Kaiser said.
"It's something that we're very pleased about here at Hunter Water because it means better protection of the Grahamstown Dam."
Mr Kaiser said Hunter Water worked closely with the EPA in developing the restrictions and will continue to do so.
"The composting operation near Grahamstown Dam will be regularly inspected by the EPA," he said
"As part of the regulation and as part of the ruling by the Land and Environment Court, they [Gardenlands] will be subject to strict supervision."
The compost facility will operate nearby Seven Mile Creek, which feeds into the Grahamstown Dam and its water quality has already been questioned before the facility.
But, Mr Kaiser said it would unreasonable to consider closing or blocking the creek.
"Closing down the creek, or trying to block the creek in any way, would not make environmental sense," he said.
He said there would be issues with "flooding upstream" as well as not enough water coming into the Dam.
"What's a much more viable solution is to better manage the catchment around the area, such as with regulations around the development of the area."
