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FAQ

FAQ - ODOUR

                ODOUR

 

Will odour will be created by green waste?

Will the smells be similar to those from Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre and Spring Farm Recovery Park?

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Odour-generating materials will not be accepted by the site and activities on the site will not produce odours.

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We understand residents’ concerns regarding the odour from Spring Farm Advanced Resource Recovery Facility and Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre. The waste accepted and processing of waste at those two operations is very different from those proposed at the Smeaton Grange Waste Recycling and Transfer Facility.

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The different types of general solid waste (i.e. not special, liquid or hazardous waste):

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  1. Putrescible: solid waste that contains organic matter capable of being decomposed by microorganisms. As putrescible wastes decay and are processed they produce odours, as does composting

  2. Non‐putrescible: waste that does not readily decay; emit offensive odours; or attract vermin or other vectors (such as flies, birds and rodents).

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The Smeaton Grange Waste Recycling and Transfer Facility will only accept non‐putrescible waste and will not be composting any vegetation. No waste from kerbside garbage trucks will be accepted. Therefore, our recycling facility will not emit odours.

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In contrast, the Spring Farm Advanced Resource Recovery Facility accepts general solid waste (putrescible) and garden organics and until late 2015 these waste were being landfilled on site. Now these wastes are received and processed by composting and anaerobic digestion which can create odour. Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre does not accept putrescible waste, but it does accept vegetation that it composts to produce a range of products.

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How is this different to a garbage tip?

 

A garbage tip accepts waste for permanent disposal. Smeaton Grange will not accept waste for permanent disposal. All material accepted by the waste recycling and transfer facility will be rapidly processed and removed from the site for further recycling. There will be no materials land-filled or otherwise disposed of anywhere within the site as a result of the development.

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Generally, garbage tips accept odour-generating putrescible waste. For example, the Spring Farm Advanced Resource Recovery Facility accepts and processes putrescible waste. The Smeaton Grange Waste Recycling and Transfer Facility will not be licenced to accept or landfill putrescible wastes.

              TRAFFIC & TRUCKS

 

The Hartley Road/Narellan Road intersection is operating at near capacity during peak hours. What impact will your vehicles have on this?

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The majority of vehicles will be travelling to and from Camden Valley Way via Anderson Road. The remainder of vehicles will be travelling to and from Narellan Road via Anderson Road, Anzac Avenue and Hartley Road. This means that the majority of vehicles will not pass Curran’s Hill.

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There will not be any material delays in traffic as a result of the proposed recycling facility. Vehicles travelling to and from the facility will total 1.7 per cent (or less) of traffic in the area.

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How many additional trucks and other vehicles will be on the roads as a result of the proposed recycling facility?

 

At full production the recycling facility will add, on average, an extra 138 vehicles to the roads per day. This will be made up of 85 light vehicles (such as utes) and 53 trucks (such as light trucks and mini-skips, NOT domestic waste kerbside collection garbage trucks). This is equivalent to an additional 15 light vehicles and six heavy vehicles during the morning peak hour and less during the afternoon peak hour.

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How will extra traffic be managed to allow emergency vehicles, such as fire services and ambulances, access to Curran's Hill residents via Hartley Road?

 

Our traffic assessment estimates the facility will only contribute 1.7 per cent (or less) to the traffic on Hartley Road, and therefore will not have a material impact on emergency vehicles.

 

See above.

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What impacts will vehicle movements have on other road uses/users?

 

There will be no impact on parking, intersection levels, public transport services, pedestrians or cyclists.

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              NOISE & OPERATING HOURS

 

What are the hours of operation?

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The facility will accept waste deliveries and dispatch materials:

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  • Monday to Friday: 6am – 10pm

  • Saturday: 6am – 4pm

  • Sunday: 8am – 4pm

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Waste processing at the facility would occur:

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  • Monday to Saturday: 7am - 4pm

  • No waste processing would occur on Sundays

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The site will not be open on public holidays.

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Outside these hours stated above, we will be closed and no one will be on site.

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If the above hours are your proposed hours of operation, why has Benedict applied to operate 24 hours a day?

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We have listened to the community and will no longer seek to operate outside the abovementioned hours.

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In that case, will residents be disrupted by noise in the middle of the night?

 

The facility will be closed between 10pm and 6am. There will be no activity and therefore no noise emission, during this period.

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Will residents be disrupted by facility-related noise during other times of the day?

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The noise study conducted as part of the EIS did indicate an increase in noise levels. We responded by incorporating an 11m tall shed and 10m tall fence (Northwest, South-West and South-East boundaries) into the proposal to shield residences from ruck noises.

 

The facility will be constructed and operated so that noise levels will be below the project specific noise limits for the location. These have been calculated using EPA methods and are based on noise levels measured in Currans Hill in December 2015 as apart of the assessment.

 

While the facility will result in additional traffic movements, increase traffic noise will be minor compared to existing traffic volumes and the overall increase in road traffic noise level at residences will be negligible.


Furthermore, work practices will be adopted at the site to minimise noise emissions from the site.

               ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

               KENNY CREEK & WILDLIFE

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Has Benedict undertaken a study to determine what wildlife exists in the Kenny Creek corridor, such a birdlife, native animals and aquatic life?

 

The EIS addresses the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements that were issued specifically for the project by the Department of Planning and Environment.

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The EIS did not include a biodiversity assessment of the Kenny Creek corridor as there will be no direct physical disturbance (e.g. habitat removal) to the corridor. Further, the proposed activities are in keeping with the uses envisaged when the industrial area sub-division was approved.

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The industrial site has been cleared and capped with clay and is devoid of vegetation other than grass. No impact to flora and fauna on the site or in the Kenny Creek corridor is predicted.

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Will the facility increase air pollution and what impact will this have on wildlife?

 

The site’s surface will be completely sealed, apart from the proposed landscaping in the front setback. Captured rainfall runoff will be used for water sprays over any other operational areas that have potential to generate unacceptable amounts of dust. There will be no material increase in dust levels in surrounding areas as a result of the operation of the facility and therefore no impacts to flora or fauna.

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Is Kenny Creek heritage listed?

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Kenny Creek is not listed as a heritage site in the Camden (2010) Local Environmental Plan or on the State Heritage Inventory.

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Will pests such as termites in stored timber, rats, mice and crane birds that will compete with native wildlife be attracted to the facility?

 

There will be no putrescible waste, for example food waste, accepted on to the site. Therefore, animals (native animals or vermin) will not be attracted to the site.

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Delivered waste will have a short residence time on the site before being sorted, and dispatched. Waste will not be stockpiled for enough time to allow pests (such as termites) to make nests in the area.

 

Does Benedict view Kenny Creek as a drain?

 

Absolutely not.

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The nature of the creek is described in the EIS as “a vegetated creek corridor (Kenny Creek), with vegetation generally identified as re‐vegetated dry sclerophyll forest (shrub understorey)”. While the creek is referred to as a “drainage channel” in parts of the EIS, this term applies to natural waterways that accept overland runoff and does not mean a “drain”.

 

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How would the facility manage water run-off?

 

A surface water management system will be installed. The site will be completely concrete/asphalt sealed and kerbed with the site’s surface graded towards the sediment control pit in the north‐east corner of the site. All water not used onsite will be discharged to the subdivision’s stormwater system via the sedimentation trap and never to the creek. Water from the site will not runoff to Kenny Creek or impact flows or water quality in the creek.

               FLOOD LIGHTS

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Will flood lighting extend beyond the facility’s boundary?

 

The walls and roof of the shed and the 10 metre tall fence on the south-western and south-eastern sides of the site (i.e. the sides facing the residences) will shield the residences from lighting on the site.

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Flood lights will be installed in accordance with Australian Standard 4282 Control of Obtrusive Effects of Outdoor Lighting. This will include:

  • installing lights below the top of the 10 metre tall fence

  • avoiding upward lighting

  • fitting directional light fittings and screening lights so that light does not spill offsite

  • only using lights required for safe operations or security.

 

 

Will the flood lighting be used all night every night? If so, will it create sleep disturbances to families or wildlife?

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Flood lighting will only be used as required for safe operations or security. The site layout and lighting management measures described above will minimise light spill. The site will not contribute significantly to external lighting at residences compared to existing street lighting.      

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What about the impact on nearby residences, businesses and schools?

 

Residences are generally afforded the greatest level of protection regarding noise and air quality. The EIS considers the potential impacts of the facility on the closest residences. The EIS found that will be no material changes to air quality at these residences and changes to noise levels will be within EPA criteria. Accordingly, the residences, businesses and schools that are further away from the facility will not be materially impacted by the facility.

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Will the resource recovery facility negatively impact home values in Currans Hill?

 

Benedict is not an expert when it comes to house prices. However, while we appreciate locals' concerns we are confident the facility will have minimal impact on local residences and the surrounding environment.

              WASTE TYPES

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What exactly is being processed?

 

The waste recycling and transfer facility will accept up to 140,000 tonnes of ‘pre-classified general solid waste (non-putrescible)’ per year. This will mainly consist of the following wastes:

  • co-mingled and segregated construction and demolition waste, including tiles, bricks, concrete, glass, metal, wood, asphalt, gyprock and vegetation and uncontaminated soils;

  • co-mingled and segregated commercial and industrial waste from factories and commercial premises such as paper/cardboard, cloth, plastics, rubber, wood, suitable slags, concrete and asphalt batching wastes and the like;

  • excavated natural materials (ENMs) including virgin natural excavated material (VENM) such as sand and sandstone which are generated during bulk earthworks and road and infrastructure construction and repair;

  • garden waste;

  • wood waste;

  • metals; and

  • rail ballast and spoils.

 

Incoming waste will be inspected in two stages.  Any incoming waste loads that are suspected to contain contaminants during either inspection will be rejected and the customer will be required to take the contaminated load out of the waste recycling and transfer facility immediately.

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Products will include soils that will be ready for use and segregated recycled materials that will be sent to other recycling facilities for further processing, for example  ferrous and nonferrous metals, dry paper/cardboard, timber, masonry and plastics.


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Will hazardous waste be accepted at the facility?

 

No hazardous waste will be accepted at the facility.

 

The following wastes will NOT be accepted at the facility:

  •  hazardous waste;

  •  odourous waste

  •  “special” waste (including: clinical and related waste; asbestos waste; whole loads of waste tyres; or anything classified as special waste under an EPA gazettal notice);

  • liquid waste;

  • restricted solid waste; or

  • general solid waste (putrescible).

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What does processing include?

 

Processing would include:

  • sorting;

  • screening; and

  • picking.

 

Processing would NOT include:

  • crushing; or

  • shredding (which generates more noise than the proposed processing).

 

 

Based on previous experiences with other companies, some residents have reservations trusting another operator in the area. How is Benedict different?

 

We appreciate some residents have been disappointed by other developments in the area. However, Benedict takes our responsibilities to the wider community very seriously and is committed to being a good corporate citizen and neighbour.

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Benedict is committed to working with Camden Council and local residents to ensure our proposed recycling facility at Smeaton Grange has minimal impact, and that all stakeholder concerns are heard and addressed where possible.

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Benedict is very experienced in operating these types of facilities.

               FACILITY AND THE COMMUNITY

 

What will be the maximum height of the facility?

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The maximum height of the surrounding colourbond fence will be 10 metres and the shed will be 11 metres tall.

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What about impacts on any Aboriginal or historic heritage items?

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The site has been heavily modified (cleared, graded and capped with clay) and the potential for extant archaeological sites is extremely low. Therefore, there are no predicted impacts on any Aboriginal or historic heritage items.

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Will there be employment opportunities?

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The recycling facility is expected to be operated by about eight employees, two of whom are from the area. Six additional jobs will be created as a result of the proposed resource recovery facility, and Benedict will be seeking applications from local residents.

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What are the benefits to the community?

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Benedict takes its responsibilities to the local and wider community very seriously. The company enjoys strong relationships with its communities in all areas of operations. We support and give back to our local communities in many ways, including:​

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  • Sponsorships

    • Sponsoring local sporting clubs.

    • Significant donations to Lions & Rotary clubs.

    • Active participants in local, state and national charity events.

  • Environmental initiatives

    • Collaborating with NFP organisations.

    • Greenfleet is Benedict’s not-for-profit registered Environmental Charity. Greenfleet plants permanent biodiverse native forests to offset emissions and reduce Benedict’s carbon footprint. Benedict has planted over 1000 trees, offsetting over 500 tonnes of CO2.

  • Rehabilitation

    • Benedict rehabilitates its sites for the use of the community. Benedict’s rehabilitation strategies ensure the social and recreational needs of the community are met, and where possible develop infrastructures that create employment opportunities for local residents.

  • Education

    • Benedict offers educational opportunities to local TAFE institutions, providing students with practical experience in a safe working environment. Given the opportunity Benedict looks forward to offering similar opportunities to the Camden community.

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What are the benefits of recycling in Camden?

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Smeaton Grange Waste Recycling and Transfer Facility will provide a convenient and cost effective recycling solution for the area.

According to Government data, less than 10% of the estimated 2.5 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste generated in Sydney each year is currently recycled.

 

The rest of this potentially valuable resource goes straight to landfill due to the commercial difficulty in sorting through the wide and disparate range of waste materials.

 

Benedict takes pride in our high rates of resource recovery, production, and supply and delivery of quality recycled materials to the community through innovative and environmentally responsible solutions. Benedict’s recovery rates are around 90%. This is industry best practice.

 

Benedict’s recycled products are turned into valuable, sustainable products and sold back into the industry for use in variety of applications - timber, concrete, brick, soil and sand which in turn are processed to make recycled soil, aggregate, recycled bedding sand for pipe laying, wood mulch and road base.

 

Benedict’s recycled products have been utilised in some of the major Sydney projects such as the Barangaroo Development, West Connex M4 widening, M2 upgrade, North Connex, Wet’n Wild Recreational Park, and Sydney Olympic Park.

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How can I make a submission?

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The public can view the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Smeaton Grange Waste Recycling and Transfer Facility at the Department of Planning’s website and have until 26 August 2016 to make a submission.

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CONTACT

Inquiries

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Head office

11a Narabang Way, Belrose, NSW 2085
PO Box 431, Frenchs Forest, NSW 1640


T  0414 266 772
www.benedict.com.au

Employment

To apply for a job with Benedict, please send a cover letter together with your C.V. to: hr@benedict.com.au

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