Kempsey Shire Council has voted to consider provisions of sewerage service options at Willawarrin and Bellbrook in their 2019 to 2020 operating plan.
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Councillor Bruce Morris put forward the original motion at yesterday’s December council meeting which included that council complete a report outlining the preferred option, projected time frame and funding options be presented to council for consideration by 30 June 2020.
Owner of the Willawarrin Hotel, Karen Anderson, addressed the councillors during the meeting and spoke in favour of the motion.
“Ninety per cent of sewerage systems in the area have failed inspections and they will continue to fail,” she said.
Ms Anderson also presented a list of signatures to the councillors from residents who are in support of a sewerage service.
“We’ve got seven pages of signatures over the last few days from residents, and we’ve got more coming. We need this back on the operational plan.”
Cr Morris spoke for his motion and said these services are needed in the Upper Macleay.
“We need to put this back on the agenda. It has the potential to increase the population of these areas and they are needed,” he said.
Cr Sue McGinn spoke against the motion and said the service would cost too much.
“I feel for the people of the community but we can’t afford to have sewerage everywhere. Rates for residents would also have to go up.”
The amended motion put forward by Cr Anna Shields for council to consider provisions of sewerage service options to be included in the 2019 to 2020 operating plan was carried.
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