Western Joint Regional Planning Panel asks Cleanaway and Federation Council for more info on compost plant

The panel released its first update since deferring the matter a week ago and has asked Cleanaway to provide more information about air quality, traffic and site management.

It has also asked the applicant whether alternative sites have been considered in the context of any regional waste strategy involving Albury, Wodonga, Indigo and Federation council areas, and whether the proposed Howlong facility has capacity for growth.

Federation Council has been asked for clarification on strategic plans for Howlong and in particular whether the site of the proposed development was within or in the vicinity of land identified for the town's future growth.

The panel consisting of chairman Gordon Kirkby, Ruth Fagan, Mark Grayson, Peter Hawkins and Bill Bott listened to more than 60 speakers at a hearing at the Howlong Golf Resort last Thursday before announcing it couldn't make a decision.

Howlong Community Committee chairman Stuart Sizer said his group had been left with unanswered questions about the town's future growth patterns if the development went ahead given the tip was located in the north.

“Without the Federation Council general manager or administrator present to hear those issues we are concerned they may not fully understand the community's argument why the town should grow to the north,” he said.

Among the specific items of interest for the panel are why the receival shed could not be fully enclosed with a negative pressure system and information regarding the potential health risk of air-borne particles being generated from the site.

Also, confirmation Kywong-Howlong Road, Howlong-Goombargana Road and Drews Lane had been constructed to an acceptable standard to accommodate the heavy vehicles associated with the development.

No date was given for a final determination.