Letter to the City of Greater Bendigo Council - Vile Water, Vapour and Poor Quality Clay

On the 16 November, Costerfield farmer Mr Gilbert Cochrane wrote the following letter to the City of Greater Bendigo Council.

He is still waiting for an acknowledgement or reply.

16 November, 2014.

Gilbert J. Cochrane
xx xxxx Rd,
Heathcote, 3523; also
Wattle Grove, Cochranes Rd,
Costerfield, 3523.

To the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Greater Bendigo

Re: South Costerfield-Graytown dust suppression with mine water

Dear Councillor

We are absolutely disgusted with the operational procedures currently on display with regards to the construction of the Splitters Creek Evaporative Facility of Mandalay Resources in Costerfield. It is obvious to anyone who bothers to take the time to visit Costerfield that what is taking place is the dumping of the toxic waste water on the South Costerfield Graytown Rd.

On 11 November, 2014, the smell of this water was so vile as to make one nauseous. So much so that my brothers and I were forced to leave our property. A vapour was visibly rising from the sprayed road. With summer approaching, the situation will further deteriorate. Why does your council refuse to take any action in this regard? 

On 14 November, 2014, water tankers were dumping so much of this material on the abovementioned road that it was running down the table drain and entering our property and that of our neighbours. I have written to you previously about this toxic water. 

Why will your Council not admit there is a problem and confront it? Immediate action is imperative.

We are also concerned at the amount of water apparently being recovered from the top end dam on Lot 1 Splitters Creek. We owned this allotment and built this dam. Its capacity was 1.5 ML at best. Would your council please question Mandalay as to whether they are using this dam as a transfer dam, e.g., carting mine water to and using such in their construction on Lot 2?

It is vital that you take action immediately. The poor quality of the clay in this dam meant that it leaked almost continuously. Consultation with the local community would have informed the Council Planning Department of this fact. Does Council know of any actions being taken to monitor for such leakage or to mitigate any environmental impact that may result? Unless you take action you will leave us no alternative but to have this waste water and the road privately tested.

I also request that all of the vehicles carrying this water be tested for heavy metal contamination before any further spraying of this road is permitted, as it forms part of our properties’ water catchment. Many of these vehicles were used to transport toxic waste from the mine site at Costerfield to the Heathcote Pit.

Councillors, what has occurred and what is continuing to occur here is not acceptable.

Sincerely

G. J. Cochrane

Dip. S.E. Asian Studies
BA (Hons.) Political Science
MA Law and Legal Sudies (Latrobe)

For and on behalf of the Cochrane family and

Wappentake Valley Community