THOUGHTLESS caravanners are being blamed for the temporary closure of a
popular camping ground in New South Wales.
The local council is being forced to carry out urgent repairs and upgrades
after travellers emptied their toilet cassettes into the toilets at the
facility in the small town of Binnaway on the Castlereagh River in the
State's central western.
And the closure has had a dramatic effect on the local economy, with
businesses reporting a 30 percent loss in income, Warrumbungle Shire
Council said.
The campground is popular with tourists throughout the year with all sites
regularly full on any given night.
"Cassette waste is up to 30 times more concentrated than standard effluent
and therefore the bacteria which naturally consume the waste were unable
to keep up with the nutrient load," Mayor Denis Todd explained.
"This was particularly concerning owing to the nature of the site, given
that it is in close proximity to not only a major river, but also the town
water supply."
'Caravan
owners were pouring cassette
waste into the toilets'
|
Work will soon begin on installing and upgrading the onsite sewage
management system.
"Back in September there was a failure with the current system which
resulted in effluent coming up through the floor drains and shower
stalls," Cr Todd said.
“We believe that the reason for the blockage, other than the age of the
site, was the fact that caravan owners were pouring cassette waste into
the toilets."
Cr Todd said the council had been working closely with the Binnaway
Progress Association in planning and investigating works which need to be
completed to install the onsite sewage
management system.
"This has been a complicated process as council was concerned about the
placement of a dump point so close to a river system and the impact that a
potential failure would have on the health of the river and community," he
said.
"After obtaining a report from a geotechnical engineer, a design has been
finalised which incorporates a modern system, treating effluent to a
higher quality than a standard septic tank, with an additional dump point
tank which will be pumped out.
"The original tank will be left in-situ as an additional buffer for
caravan cassette waste. This will also decrease installation and pump out
costs."
Cr Todd said quotes for installing a suitable replacement system and an
on-site dump point for the campground were being sought.
These were expected to be received in the coming weeks,
allowing the council to appoint the successful contractor to carry out the
necessary works.
"Given the importance of the campground to the community of Binnaway we
are hoping to get this work completed as soon as possible," Cr Todd said.