Coffs Harbour tip stockpile height to be raised at Englands Road

Council has been told to fix the “unbearable stench” impacting the mental health of hundreds of Coffs Harbour families. See what the latest measure is to buy time on the crisis.

In a move one angry local described as a “desperate attempt” by an organisation that’s looked the other way for far too long in relation to the region’s waste crisis, Coffs Harbour council will raise the height of its landfill stockpile at the Englands Road waste facility .

Bradley Kay was urging councillors not to support the recommendation before them on Thursday evening to increase the height of the landfill stockpile from 32 metres to a maximum ridge height of 38.8m.

Reminiscent of council’s compact city model there are no plans to increase the stockpile footprint - only increase the height.

Bradley Kay spoke of the impact of the “unbearable stench” emanating from the facility over the years and its “impact on the mental health and wellbeing of hundreds of Coffs Harbour families”.

Coffs Harbour Waste facility at Englands Road.

The Englands Road facility has been the city’s primary landfill since the 1960s and is well past its use-by date.

Councillor Scott Wolgamot said he wasn’t going to gloss over the problems and that council is getting better at controlling the smell.

“This is a pressure release valve for us - this buys us a little time,” he said.

Councillor Rodger Pryce said “I don’t think we have any other option - hopefully we can proceed with a better outcome in the future.”

Councillor Rodger Pryce. Picture: Brad Greenshields.

For years, the odour emanating from the facility has caused alarm with passing motorists on the Pacific Highway forced to wind up their windows and nearby residents and business operators pushed to breaking point.

Councillor Tony Judge spoke of his experiences attending an overnight sleep out at the nearby C.ex Coffs International Stadium to highlight the issue of homelessness.

“I don’t think we should minimise the feedback from Mr Kay - the smell is offensive, widespread and damaging to people.

Tony Judge.

“I remember taking part in the C.ex sleep out and coming home with my clothes smelling of it.

“I don’t think this height extension will make the problem worse but we should be one hundred per cent focused on alleviating that problem.”

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the recommendation to increase the height of the landfill stockpile.

EPA takes Coffs Harbour council to court

Council is currently being pursued in court by the Environmental Protection Authority in relation to damning claims about a well and pipes designed to divert the gas naturally produced in rotting garbage at the facility.

It is alleged a well and associated lines designed to collect and divert the gas naturally produced in rotting garbage were not maintained properly.

The EPA argues the alleged lack of maintenance constitutes a breach of the council’s licence.

The matter was last mentioned in Coffs Harbour Local Court on November 8 where it was adjourned to December 6.