Newland Liberal MP Richard Harvey calls on State Government to intervene and improve ageing wastewater system in Tea Tree Gully
More than 4500 homes in Adelaide north-eastern suburbs are still connected to an old septic wastewater system – and the local MP thinks it’s about time his own government stepped in to help.
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A state Liberal MP has called on his own government to urgently step in and fix an ageing septic system used by thousands of people in Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs.
Newland MP Richard Harvey has written to Water Minister David Speirs calling for something to be done about the antiquated wastewater system, connected to more than 4500 properties in the Tea Tree Gully district.
Tea Tree Gully Council last year announced it was increasing its annual charge, by almost $300 over four years, to manage the wastewater system.
An estimated $35 million also needs to be spent over the next 10 years upgrading the 1960s-built system that services 4645 homes in suburbs including Banksia Park, Hope Valley and Modbury.
Issues include risks to public health and environmental pollution, particularly groundwater contamination, due to “leaking assets and privately owned septic tanks”.
Dr Harvey said he had “serious concerns” about the council’s “ability to rectify the situation”.
In a letter to residents, Dr Harvey said they were “rightly outraged” at the state of the system.
“It is clear that it is not up to scratch and not what metropolitan households should expect in 2020,” Dr Harvey wrote.
“I have now written to Minister Speirs advocating for the State Government to intervene and ensure that all members of our community not only have the infrastructure they deserve, but confidence in the management of it.”
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Mr Speirs told The Messenger he would work with Dr Harvey and the council – but stopped short of committing government funds to the project.
Banksia Park resident Rose Morton, who is on the septic system, welcomed Dr Harvey’s push.
“We residents are ecstatic that we finally are being heard and have someone in our corner fighting for us,” Ms Morton said.
Tea Tree Gully Council has been unsuccessful in securing state or federal support to rectify problems with the system in the past.
The council’s chief executive officer, John Moyle, said it had been working with SA Water, the State Government and local members in the hope they might play a greater role converting the septic to a mains system.
“We welcome support in achieving this outcome and will continue to lobby the State Government where opportunities present,” Mr Moyle said.