A study that investigated the potential impact the aged residential waste water treatments systems in Point Moore could be having on the local area has been released and is now open for public comment.

Acting on an April 2014 Council resolution to undertake studies of the area, specialist consultants GHD were contracted to complete the Point Moore Residential Onsite Effluent and Disposal Study (ROETD) which reports on the performance of the existing systems and impacts they could be having on public health and the local environment.

City of Greater Geraldton Chief Executive Officer Ken Diehm said Council requested the Study be undertaken before further lease extensions could be considered as many of the dwellings were built more than 40 years and no longer meet State guidelines.

“Many of the 178 houses at Point Moore were originally built as holiday cottages in the 1960s and 1970s and these dwelling use onsite septic tanks with effluent disposed via leach drains or soak wells,” he said.

“Given their age, these systems don’t conform with current state legislative requirements and according to the study, many of them are in poor condition which has resulted in ground water contamination.

“Although Council has extended 35 residential leases till 2028 they resolved they would not consider further lease extensions until detailed studies of the area which included the area’s vulnerability to coastal erosion and inundation and the REOTD Study were completed.”

On 7 December 2016, the ROETD Study was presented to Point Moore residents and property owners. The City is now seeking advice from State Government agencies to find a way forward.

“The City will be taking a multi-agency approach by working with the Departments of Water, Health, Environment Regulation, Land and other key agencies to determine what the report means to the local community,” said Mr Diehm.

“The City has also met with the Friends of Point Moore community group to develop a strategy going forward.”

The ROETD Study follows the Point Moore Inundation & Coastal Processes Study which reported on the vulnerability of the area to coastal erosion and inundation.

Both Point Moore studies are available on the City website. The public comment period for the ROETD Study closes on 22 January at 4pm.