Copyright © Bouvard Coast Care Group
“ Can’t believe the council is
allowing this to happen”
“ … the council has failed for
obvious reasons to keep rate payers
in the loop… ”
“ … the damage to our fragile
system has already been taken to
an unhealthy level for both the local
environment and the people living in
this area …”
“… Tims Thicket is too
environmentally sensitive an area”
“Due to the lack of transparency
over the monitoring and
management of this facility I believe
this facility needs to be closed and
for new and improved options to be
looked into in order to better protect
the environment it's affecting “
“ This proposal should be stopped
immediately and never should have
been considered not for this area”
“How on earth did this happen!
Time for us all to stand up and say
NO find another solution”
“As a rate payer who lives in the
Melros area I DO NOT support the
plan for a Liquid Waste Disposal
Plant in Tims Thicket. I have seen
NO public consultation process”
“ This proposal is preposterous and
needs to be stopped! ”
“ … If they have not been honest
and transparent and have failed to
meet any or all of its obligations
regarding the environment then it
should be stopped until an impact
study has been completed and
residents advised. It looks like Erin
Brokovich all over again …”
“This is not acceptable. There is a
definite risk of leaching into the
water that we, our children, our
pets, drink and wash in on a daily
basis. How dare the planners try to
put this into place. Would they do it
if they lived in the affected area? I
don't think so. Disgusting!!”
“Terrible!!
“ Land owner with bore
I'd drink my bore water.
But not if this happens”
“ I find the sneakiness of this
proposal the most concerning, as it
shows a clear attempt to push
through something that would not
go ahead had people been aware.”
“I definitely wasn't aware of any of
this , until I read the Mandurah mail,
what can I do to help with this...
“The city has failed both the
residents and the environment
here.”
“ This is an unacceptable concept
and every measure should be taken
to bring it to a halt”
“ This is the first time I have been
informed about the City of
Mandurah proposal for this site. I
am astounded that there has been
virtually no public consultation on
this matter. I aplaud the Bouvard
Coastcare Group for bringing it to
our attention. I am definately
against this proposal.”
“One can only wonder why the
Council has been so secretive about
this proposal which leads us to
believe it knew it would lead to
much opposition from local residents
and others because of lack of
transparency. “
“There is such a large volume of
evidence about the pollution here
that I am surprised that this is even
being considered.”
“ Local council should be totally
transparent to the public with in
depth studies on the long term
environmental impacts made
available through local media .Look
after our fragile coastline and our
children’s’ future !”
“ The environmental implications
have not been properly considered
in the proposal of the liquid waste
disposal site in Tims Thicket. If they
wish to develop this site maybe they
should dig up and remove all of the
contaminants beforehand. I find the
sneakiness of this proposal the most
concerning, as it shows a clear
attempt to push through something
that would not go ahead had people
been aware.”
“ As a resident of Tims Thicket since
the early 1990's, I vote for closure
to the Waste facility. When it was
originally set up residents were
assured its impact on the
environment would be contained
within the designated area. Clearly
this is now not the case.”
“My concern is about the covering
up of evidence in the hope that it
would go away. When water quality
exceeded its trigger values, the
sampling was stopped. When staff
were shown photos of the rubbish in
the old tip site, the photos were
returned unviewed. I support this
group and their actions as they live
here and are directly affected.”
“This situation is becoming
increasingly disturbing as local
residents are being left out of the
loop and mislead as to what is
intended to go on at Tim's Thicket.
Stop polluting our water ways and
back yards.”
“I've lived in Mandurah most of my
life, been fishing, swimming, surfing
at Tims Thicket for 30 years…..This
is a concern to all of us and it must
be stopped.”
Read Some of the comments received so far
Below are a selection of comments received from locals via our Lets Campaign submission form. To get your voice heard, contact your councillor using the details at
the end of this page.
Local Press Coverage
Both the Mandurah Mail and the Coastal Times have published stories on our campaign:
Candice Di Prinzio - Coast Ward Candidate
“It appears quite evident to me that the Bouvard Coast Care Members have been subject to some grave process and consultation
failures with the City of Mandurah. I can assure you that should I be successful in becoming a Coastal Ward Councillor, that I will
engage regularly with your group in pro-active, two-way consultation. I will have an open door policy regarding everything I do as a
Councillor. In the event that I am successful in becoming a Coastal Ward Councillor, I look forward to having Bouvard Coast Care
Group brief me in regard to your concerns, process issues and the timeline relating to this facility. It is my understanding that this
matter could come back to Council in the new year, so I'm keen to ensure that I've fully engaged with your group.
Rest assured, that I will make a decision on this matter that is in the best interest of the community and your input would be factored
into my decision making.
Jenny Green- Coast Ward Candidate
“Thank you for emailing your information regarding the circumstances surrounding the liquid waste disposal facility located at Tim's
Thicket and which, I understand, was closed for operations in January, 2015 due to surrounding environmental contamination
directly related to the leaching of toxic chemicals into the soil and water table. Earlier this year, March 2019, a proposal submitted
by the City of Mandurah to reopen the liquid waste facility has been suspended while further assessments are carried out by DWER
and EPA.
There are several factors that would give rise for concern regarding the reopening of the liquid waste disposal site, those being:
1.
Close proximity to the ocean waterline. 500 mtrs is insufficient as a buffer zone when considering the probability of beach
erosion.
2.
Unit sitting on a site with a 4mtr water table which, again, would be considered an insufficient buffer zone for toxic waste
leaching.
3.
Environmental conservation and protection regulations (DWER and EPA) have strict guidelines for liquid waste disposal sites
with regard to installation of layers of ground filters, level of water tables, and sub soil rock integrity.
Given the above information, I would, if elected, request a review of the CoM report submitted to DWER and departments
associated with the proposal and vigorously challenge their reasoning to go forward with the reopening of the liquid waste disposal
site as, apart for trucking convenience, it does not meet the standard of contemporary liquid waste management.”
“I left your AGM the other day feeling really inspired. I love seeing community groups doing big things - it's actually one of the main
reasons I'm standing for mayor... because we have to make it easier for volunteers to do what they're passionate about.
Congratulations on all your coordination and hard work.
If I'm successful, I want to look at commercial opportunities for the waste that is currently being treated at Tims Thicket. This will
mean that I'm probably more in favour of a medium-term closure, but revoking the application for the extended [septage] license”
Merv Darcy - Coastal Ward Candidate Email: mjdarcy30@bigpond.com
“Should I be elected as Councillor for the Coastal Ward, I would totally support and immediately withdraw the licence application to
upgrade the liquid waste facility and to commit to the full closure of the site as soon as practically possible.
As past practices have shown landfill operations have contaminated ground water with heavy metals and toxic chemicals. I might
add these sites did not have large quantities of water passing through them as Tim’s Thicket Waste facility will have. We were once
told Wittenoom and the tailings from the mine were safe. However we now know the dangers after many deaths, of which I sadly
have first- hand experience from handling the workers compensation claims.
Most worryingly to me, its clear from the responses that the community hasn’t been consulted or informed. We must remember that
the council is here to serve the community and not the other way around.
I am absolutely astounded by the comments of those in support of the proposed spraying irrigation on the old landfill site at Tims
Thicket. Throughout my campaign I have spoken with a number of residence in the coastal ward who have voiced their strong
opposition to the proposed spraying irrigation on to the old landfill site at TIMS Thicket and the risks associated with such a process .
One only has to be aware of the problems that occurred in Busselton in which some residential bores were contaminated, and
their bore water exceeded public health criteria for drinking water and in some cases, garden irrigation. Also there was similar
problems connected to the Melville wast disposal site in Leeming.
SOLUTION
This irrigation water should be collected and used to water street tree, parks and gardens and not irrigated on to an old land fill site
and then elevate any risk.“
“I’m certain that the passion felt by the parties involved is driven by the hope for an outcome that provides benefits for our
community. I’m encouraged to hear BCCG’s desire to be seen to be open and fair. I’m expecting The City will also adopt that
approach. I’m hopeful that together both parties will be able to clearly understand the concerns, issues, and implications, and come
together around good decision-making.
I have spoken directly with the City CEO and Director of Works and Services Allan Claydon about this matter. I wish to understand
all of the facts before taking a position. It appears at this early stage that there is some mis-information surrounding this issue. I am
currently facilitating an interview with both of them where they can communicate the facts as they know them, to be broadcast on
6mm. Once that’s broadcast it becomes “on-the-record” as such. I will pursue the same opportunity for the other side of the debate.
There is no question that putting people at risk is not an option! Getting all of the facts firstly, and secondly understanding the
context correctly to give them meaning is vital to making good decisions.
In my view, espousing an opinion before that process is completed is not responsible and doesn’t help in good decision making. If
there is a case to answer it will be brought! I suspect this is an issue that will go beyond the timeframe of this election. Regardless, I
will be pursuing the truth.”
2019 Election
2018 Election
What our Councillors said prior to election
Tim's Thicket waste issue
re-surfacing
Councillor contact details are available on the council website