CALVERT residents believe the decision on a new transfer station for the area has already been made before residents have been consulted.
Ipswich City Council received State Government Funding through the South East
Queensland Community Stimulus Program of $6.6 million in 2020 to upgrade the Waste Transfer Centres at Rosewood and Riverview. The State Government left the final decision to the Council.
From these funds, $4.5 million dollars have been allocated for the Rosewood site and $2.17
million dollars has been allocated for the Riverview site.
The State Government has stipulated that the projects have to be completed by June 2024.
Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said he was pleased to see investment in the western corridor, as the region would have to accommodate major residential development in the future.
However, he said the decision on a new transfer station was in the hands of Ipswich City Council.
Residents of Calvert ramped up their fight against the proposed site for a new dump on the Rosewood Laidley Road, Calvert.
With funds already allocated in this year’s budget to install access to the council owned
former landfill and nightsoil transfer site at Calvert, residents said they were left in the dark and have questioned why the site was considered in the first place.
Calvert resident Rachel Berlin said that after a meeting between council and residents in August, she has been in contact with Mayor Teresa Harding on a fortnightly basis, awaiting the news that Calvert would be taken off the list.
“Due to the dangerous access point on Rosewood Laidley Road into the Calvert site I am
surprised that it was even considered in the first place,” she said.
“This major concern is among many others that I have raised and to be honest I do not
know why council do not either upgrade the current site or move the centre across the road
from the current site on Rosewood Marburg Road.
“Recently I have received some new information from the Australian Koala Foundation who
provided me with a map outlining the Calvert and surrounding areas as a place that
accommodates the second highest category of koala habitat.
“The topic of deforestation and the loss of koalas is a concern for many so why go in and
take this important habitat away? We must consider the future for these animals.
“Currently Rosewood Marburg Road is not a high-volume habitat for koalas so one would
think that this is the site that should be considered.”
Ms Berlin said she appreciated contact from council, but said the updates each fortnight suggested “a more corporate side of council” and that some of her questions still remained unanswered.
“Common sense says that Calvert is not the answer and to have this taken off the list would just finally give us all peace of mind,” she said.
Council is also considering sites on Oakleigh Colliery Road, Urry Road, Rosewood Marburg
Road and on Rosewood Laidley Road.
Cr Harding said council was expecting a feasibility study to be completed by the end of September.
“Council will be briefed on the outcome of this assessment by October 4. At this stage no
decisions will be made,” she said.
