Goulburn wastewater treatment plant smell annoys the neighbours

Deputy Mayor Peter Walker raised the matter at the most recent council meeting.

He told The Post that business people and residents had contacted him and other councillors about the stench in recent weeks. They'd been experiencing the problem for about a fortnight.

ALSO READ: Eastgrove 'tuned in' while outages occur throughout Goulburn

Utilities director Marina Hollands said the problem arose after sludge dams at the Ross Street, Bradfordville facility had been emptied in preparation for a contractor to de-water them. This process generally keeps the smell at bay.

However the contractor did not arrive on the appointed date and wasn't expected until the week beginning November 30.

"(In the meantime) the sludge blanket has been covered in water, mainly through the rain but we are looking at putting more water on it and the contractor can pump it out when they get here," Mrs Hollands advised the meeting.

ALSO READ: Housing strategy endorsement opens way for developers

Since the meeting, Goulburn has received about 26mm of rain.

Mrs Hollands said on Tuesday that the smell was mostly under control.

"Once they start de-watering it mixes the sludge and improves the odour due to the oxygen moving through it," she said.

"I'd expect a dramatic improvement if not this week, early next week."

Both storage dams are currently full.

The council will re-model the contract so that de-watering occurs four times rather than twice a year.

ALSO READ: Free mental health program available to help manage stress

Mrs Hollands said while the recent rain was very welcome, it made processes at the wastewater treatment plant more difficult. Dams became unstable and emitted odour.

The council had fielded complaints mainly from adjoining residents and businesses.

Cr Margaret O'Neill said she received several phone calls and suggested in future that the council door knock the area to explain the problem and solution.

Meantime, the council is progressing with its water re-use scheme. The project will pump highly treated effluent from the new wastewater treatment plant to some of Goulburn's parks and sporting fields. It will involve 19km of water delivery infrastructure.

READ MORE: Funding floods in for water reuse scheme

Mrs Hollands said detailed design was expected to be completed by next February but construction would start this December, beginning at May Street.

A sod turning ceremony will be held in December but the main work will commence in April.

The re-use scheme earlier this year received $4.4 million in federal funding, which will be matched by the council.

We care about what you think. Have your say in the form below and if you love local news don't forget to subscribe.