The reasons behind the excessive amount of rubbish in the Macquarie River is becoming clearer, with Dubbo Regional Council working to address inadequacies with the city’s current Gross Pollutant Traps (GPTs).
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Dubbo Catches asked Dubbo Regional Council what is wrong with the current pollutant trap system on the West Dubbo outfall into the Macquarie River, with a spokesperson informing that “ As a results of council’s Public Meeting, held 28 October 2015, council stormwater staff undertook to review all stormwater outlets into the Macquarie River.”
“These outlets were then categorised into outlets with GPT capture and uncontrolled discharges into the River. ‘Hot-spots’ were also categorised. From this process council’s stormwater staff prioritised four high priority catchments (and) discharge locations”.
"From this process council’s stormwater staff prioritised four high priority catchments (and) discharge locations”.
Council stated that the West Dubbo main drain outfall, the Erskine Street outfall under the Emile Serisier Bridge, the Tamworth Street outfall, and the Bultje Street outfall were the four high priority sites, and that the Bultje Street outfall GPT had already been prioritised for installation in 2017.
Dubbo Catches also enquired as to what exactly had gone wrong with the current GPT system on the West Dubbo outfall.
“Within the existing West Dubbo Main Drain system, two types of Gross Pollutant Traps (GPTs) currently exist , (being) a ‘Baramy’ vane deflection unit and a Trash Rack type arrangement.” Council informed Dubbo Catches.
“Both of these units at their respective installation timeframes where possibly the best units available at that time.
“There is nothing inherently “wrong” with either unit, however they both have limitations based on the size of the contributing stormwater catchment area”.
“The overall catchment area for the West Dubbo Main Drain is approximately 281 hectares (Ha).
“Of this approximately 230 Ha is within the defined developed area (being a) mixture of residential, industrial, semi-commercial, schools, parkland.
“There is also approximately 24 Ha of land below these GPT’s (which is) area covered by Whylandra Street north of Victoria Street through to the Emile Serisier Bridge, plus lower Thompson Street,” council said.
Submit a story: Dubbo Catches invites readers to submit stories, photos to: Matt Hansen c/- Redden & Hansen Real Estate, 2/27 Bultje Street or email: matt@reddenhansen.com.au.
