Many concerns about a waste facility were raised by Shire of Dardanup residents during a special electors meeting last week.
On Wednesday, March 20, hundreds packed Dardanup Town Hall to discuss Cleanaway WA's proposal to increase the scope of its waste facility site on Banksia Road, Dardanup.
Under the new proposal, the site could become operational 24 hours a day.
Shire of Dardanup president Mick Bennett organised the meeting, after the shire received a request from Dardanup District Resident's Association secretary Lisa Ferris.
Mrs Ferris presented the shire with a petition, featuring 181 signatures.
Residents brought up several concerns during the meeting, including potential health risks and threats to the environment.
The shire and Cleanaway WA general manager Damian Burton both fielded questions from concerned citizens.
Residents Jenny Trigwell and Heather Elliott put forward seven motions to council, all of which were carried.
One motion called for the shire to reject any developments relating to the storage of lithium tailings and associated leachate ponds at the Banksia Road premises.
Another motion called for council to refer Cleanaway's proposals to the Environmental Protection Authority for assessment, through an Environment Impact Assessment.
Mr Bennett said he was pleased with the outcome of the meeting.
"We were happy there were so many people there. The meeting gave our councillors a better feeling of the situation," he said.
"The motions that were moved and the questions that were asked were all very relevant.
"With regards to some of the topics, having this type of discussion is better than having no discussion at all.
"We will be working as hard as we can to get the answers to some of the questions."
Responses to the community members' questions will be discussed at the ordinary council meeting on Wednesday, April 17.
"Council will be getting answers regarding what's intended for the area and what we're going to do with it," Mr Bennett said.
"With regard to some of the motions that were put forward, council now needs to do some investigating in order to provide some answers.
"We'll need to go to other government departments to get the answers to some of the questions.
"We'll also be providing some additional information, so that our councillors can make good decisions on the community's behalf."
What do you think should be done? Send your letters to editor.bunburymail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
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