Crs issue a please explain on the acid sulfate soils issue at Gordon St

Tempers flared and Councillors were divided on the issue. The meeting was then closed to the public to deal with the ‘personnel matter’.

Councillors Sally Townley and Tegan Swan were behind the extraordinary meeting to find out more about the decision to dispose acid sulfate soils from the Cultural and Civic Space project in Queensland.

Mayor Denise Knight had to ask Cr John Arkan to take his seat at Thursday afternoon’s extraordinary meeting.

The meeting was called by Crs Sally Townley and Tegan Swan to call for a detailed report documenting the changes regarding the disposal of acid sulfate soils from the Cultural and Civic Space project.

Cr Townley had been shocked to hear of the plan to transport acid sulfate soils removed from the Gordon St construction site to Queensland – rather than Sawtell.

Cr Arkan attempted to make a change to the motion which may have allowed for Council to reassess their position on the project depending on the outcome of the report.

“What are we chatting for if the report has no impact on our documented position,” Mr Arkan said.

Cr Knight ultimately ruled out Arkan’s amendment but he continued to argue his point and had to be asked to sit down.

Cr Michael Adendorff asked if the motion was even valid saying it was a “bunch of words that are going to cost a lot of money – it will probably cost as much as moving the acid sulfate soil.”

A Lipman site office has been set up at the Cultural and Civic Space construction site. Photo Janine Watson.

Acting general manager Andrew Beswick confirmed it was a valid motion.

Cr Townley was clearly frustrated with the proceedings and said she was taken aback that her fellow Councillors would not support a “fulsome and detailed” report on the matter.

“I have moved this motion because we were told for two years that we were going to go with plan A but suddenly we’re told it’s plan B,” Cr Townley said.

“I don’t want to see the blame laid on people of Sawtell for complaining because I don’t believe that was what happened. The fact is we didn’t change the plan because of environmental concerns; we changed the plan because we didn’t have a permit to take it (acid sulfate soils from Gordon St) to Sawtell because we never applied for the permit.”

Cr Keith Rhoades raised some immediate concerns about the removal of the soil saying it was being spread from the exit of the site “right down to the corner at the medical centre”.

“And it’s not just on the roadway – people are walking over it at the pedestrian crossing,” Cr Rhoades said.

Work continues on the site of the Coffs Harbour Cultural and Civic Space on Gordon St. Photo: Tim Jarrett

He asked if correct procedures for the removal of potential acid sulfate soils were being adhered to.

“I will ask the project lead to make some inquiries tomorrow to make sure the right practices are being followed,” Mr Beswick said.

When the motion was put to the vote Crs Townley, Swan, Knight and Paul Amos voted to proceed with getting the report.

Crs Rhoades, George Cecato, Adendorff and Arkan voted against it.

Cr Knight used her casting vote to break the tie and push the motion over the line.

The report will also provide documented timelines as to how and why the plans changed and will include details of all interactions with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

Full copies of correspondence with NSW EPA as well as with Queensland’s Environment Protection Agency are to be provided.

After a short break Councillors returned and voted unanimously to close the meeting to the public to deal with a ‘personnel matter’.