Residents are concerned that the Lions Club Lookout site on Viney Creek Rd will have a negative visual impact upon the town’s gateway.

Director of Planning, Glenn Handford informed the meeting that of the sites considered, the lookout site was the preferred option from a planning point of view.

However, Cr Len Roberts assured the meeting that the lookout was only one of the sites proposed by the Planning Department and that Council had not requested a development application to build the waste station on that particular site or anywhere else at this stage.

Assistant Manager of Environmental Services, John Cavanagh presented the planning department’s other options which included the old quarry on Myall Way, the disused quarry at North Arm Cove, an area opposite the Rock Roadhouse, Pindimar Rd and Viney Creek Rd. It was also suggested that the existing tip site along with the existing Council Depot and surrounding land be considered as another option.

Council said its primary constraint in the site selection process was a requirement to limit the distance of the site from 3km to 5km from the main population area.

Residents presenting to council said they were concerned that the close locality of the site would increase traffic congestion at the intersection between Myall Way and Viney Creek Rd and encourage odour and noise pollution in addition to feral and natural scavengers.

Council’s planning department is expected to review site proposals and present a report in a month’s time.