"We have had enough of the suffering and torture with the contamination, now we are fighting against a developer wanting to stockpile landfill and it seems no one cares."
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This was the frustration expressed by longtime Williamtown resident Linden Drysdale, who lives on a property on Cabbage Tree Road which is in the centre of the PFAS contamination zone.
The application lodged by the company of James Garvey, who addressed the council when the development application went before Port Stephens Council in September, to stockpile landfill up to five metres high on an adjoining property. The DA was deferred pending further information from the applicant.
At the meeting Mr Garvey implored councillors to show leadership and approve the stockpile of earthworks proposed for a vacant 7.5 hectares property.
A council spokesperson said that the additional information was provided by the applicant and was currently under assessment by internal council officers.
“Given the information is still being assessed, at this point in time a timeframe for reporting back to council has not been set. The additional information involves design amendments, however, these are still under assessment,” the spokesperson said.
Ms Drysdale said that the waiting has caused her and many of her neighbours extreme heartache. "On top of that we have had another cancer diagnosis in the vicinity,” she said.
"We have been living for some years now with the fear of PFAS contamination, much of the area proposed for landfill is flood zone and there are no proper drains,” Ms Drysdale said.
"Many adjoining properties face flooding during rain periods, putting not only humans but also animals including horses at risk."
Ms Drysdale said that many neighbouring property owners are fearful of flooding threats, truck movements and the inundation of contaminated water.
“One neighbouring property is faced with having to put up with trucks a few metres from their side fence. Other homes are built on low-lying land which means they are more susceptible to flooding during heavy rains.
“Then there are those properties which have no drainage so the contaminated water surrounds their home. Drains will overflow with the potential for extra water from the landfill.”
“When is anyone going to help us? How much longer can we fight? I am beginning to believe this is slowly killing us."
"The federal government has ruined our lives and no-one is helping us. We can’t do this on our own, we need the people’s support.
“The governments have ruined our lives and it seems they just don’t care.”
The council report from September recommended refusal for refusal for reasons ranging from unacceptable visual impacts to insufficient information to determine the site’s suitability.
The report stated that insufficient information was provided on the potential impacts caused by flooding and that the proposed development “is not considered to be in the public interest as the development is inconsistent with the adopted principles and strategies which seek to promote the appropriate development of land”.
It stated that the site may also provide habitat for the threatened wallum froglet, which Ms Drysdale says she has seen in the swamp. “By filling the swamp you will decrease their habitat and help to wipe out another species in the area. Frogs are a vital part of the local ecosystem.”