McWilliams Winery

McWilliam's Winery Expansion, Hanwood (MP 09-0177)

Introduction

I am the sole owner of Farm 132 (Lot 170 DP 751709) which adjoins the southern and western boundaries of McWilliam's Wines proposed development site at Hanwood.
Farm 132 environmental context at Hanwood.

I wish to add that not only do I need to identify and assess potential adverse impacts of McWilliam's proposed development on my property and its residents but that I also need to consider such impacts in conjunction with a current major poultry processing expansion proposed by Bartter Enterprises at Hanwood.

My farm is located in close proximity to three potentially hazardous major developments which include McWilliam's proposed winery expansion, Bartter's feedmill expansion approved in 2012 and Bartter's proposed poultry processing expansion for which a Development Application (DA 214/2012) has been lodged for the increase in production capacity of an existing poultry processing facility to 300,000 birds per day (1,200,000 kg live weight) at Lot 162 DP 751709 (17-27 Murphy Road) Hanwood and wastewater facilities located at Lots 211, 213, 356 and 358 DP 751709 (126 McGanns Road) and Lot 2 DP 802982 (2607 Murrumbidgee Ave) Hanwood.

I've not yet had an opportunity to read Bartter's DA 214/2012 which was placed on public exhibition today, 21 December 2012. Consequently due to the more complex issue of potential environmental impacts arising from multiple current major production expansion within a relatively small geographic location I'm unable to yet gauge both McWilliam's and Bartter's projects' combined potential environmental impacts, particularly odour impacts from two large, separate waste water facility developments on my property and it's residents.

Combined historical adverse environmental impacts on Farm 132 generated by McWilliams and Bartters

I have lived at Farm 132 for 42 years and have experienced combined adverse environmental impacts, emanating from McWilliam's winery and Bartter's various operations for many years. Environmental impacts in past years have included acrid smoke generated by the burning of dried waste during the 1970s in McWilliam's evaporation pans and strong odours generated by winery waste water in the pans during evaporation. The pans are approximately 200m to the north east of my home. Such odours are more noticeable in the months following vintage at night and during easterly breezes.

Adverse impacts on my farm and residents over the years generated by Bartters have included a significant fly problem associated with layer hen sheds (now removed) on Bartter's property adjoining Farm 132. In addition odours are generated by Bartter's feed mill to the north and waste water facilities to the north west.

Existence of adverse environmental impacts and lack of reporting by resident

I challenge the reference made in On Site's Technology's Odour Impact Assessment (p. 18) that 'In a rural setting it is the authors experience that residents of isolated farm houses are unlikely to perceive typical rural odour as problematic'. Strong odours emanating from winery waste water and poultry production are not typical rural odours. Family members and visitors to my home over many years have frequently referred to disagreeable odours generated by McWilliams and Bartters.

McWiliam's Environment Assessment Report (p. 51) also states that no odour complaints have been received from the resident of a single farm house (which I believe to be my house) located approximately 200m to the south west of the evaporation pans despite the impact at that site being above the current NSW guideline of 2.4 OU for the current waste water regime. My lack of reporting of adverse odours should not be regarded as an indication that a problem does not exist. I no longer bother to lodge complaints with relevant authorities when any adverse events such as odours occur because the process is extremely time consuming, requires sustained reporting and it can difficult to know which odours are being generated by McWilliam's or Bartter's.

Objections to McWilliams Winery Expansion Hanwood (MP 09-0177) proposal

I object to McWilliams Winery Expansion Hanwood proposal on the following grounds:

1. Potential adverse odour impact on my property arising during McWilliam's staged development over 15 years to enable crushing rates to reach 65,000Tonne/Year.

2. Potential flooding of my property from stormwater runoff from McWilliam's winery into MI's drainage channel.

3. Environmental impacts from construction of waste water treatment plant and pipeline including noise, dust and access to my property.

Odour impact

Two farm houses on my property situated approximately 200-250m south west of the winery and Waste Water Treatment Plan are identified as sensitive receptors in On Site Technology's Odour Impact Assessment of the Proposed Waste Water Treatment Plant (P.3) at the winery.

I acknowledge interventions planned by McWilliams to significantly reduce odours generated by the current waste water treatment regime by constructing a purpose designed waste water treatment plant. I'm concerned however that McWilliams intends to discharge waste into the evaporation ponds through the staged development of the waste water system over a period of approximately 15 years until the winery achieves an annual crushing rate of approximately 65,000 Tonne/Year.

On Site's Technology's Odour Impact Assessment (pp. 10,11) contains substantial evidence that the evaporation pans 'are a main contributor of predicted off site odour impact' during Stages/Options 1 and 2 and that these odours should reduce following Option 3 commissioning of the Covered Anaerobic Lagoon (CAL).

Despite a statement in the report (p.3) that off site odour impact of each stage will comply with current NSW guidelines for sensitive receptors, the isolated farm houses, the closest being approximately 250m to the south west of the pans, I am not convinced that I will experience a reduction in objectionable odours likely to be generated in the evaporation pans for up to 15 years.

I'm very concerned that the site of the evaporation pans which is approximately 200-250 from my home will remain the same and that the pans are expected to remain viable up to a crushing rate of 65,000 Tonne/Year.

Flooding of Farm 132 from stormwater drainage into Murrumbidgee Irrigation's drainage channel

McWilliam's Environmental Impact Report (p.34) states that the project Development Application includes an application to Griffith City Council to alter current arrangements for the disposal of stormwater under the provisions of Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 as permitted by Section 78A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. I request further information about the expected outcome of such changed arrangements for the disposal of stormwater.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) manages a drainage channel which runs from east to west through McWilliams proposed development site and along the northern boundary of my property Farm 132. The channel continues to the western boundary of my farm where it turns left in a southerly direction along the entire western side of my property. The MI drainage channel then intersects with another drainage channel which conveys irrigation drainage water from horticultural farms lying to the south of my property.

McWilliams proposed development includes substantial construction of buildings, roads and other hard surfaces from which various grades of water will be harvested for winery or vineyard reuse. I note that the plan also includes planned discharge of excess stormwater into MI's drain. I'm concerned that an increased discharge of stormwater from McWilliams into the MI drain could increase the risk of flooding of my property

In addition to stormwater discharge from McWilliams, the MI drain also collects stormwater from horticultural properties to the east of the proposed development site. During heavy storms, water collected by the drainage channel from horticultural farms to the south of my property meets flows from the north east of my property including McWilliams and adjoining eastern horticultural farms. Water from these sources can bank up in the MI drain which runs along the western boundary of my property and cause extensive flooding of my farm.

I've read in McWilliam's Stormwater Management Plan (4) of potential increases in runoff from the winery site during adverse storm events and of proposed plans to contain stormwater on the property. While such events have been rare I am concerned that increased stormwater runoff from the winery could occur.

Flooding of my property by water from MIs drain occurred in 1978 and March 2012. In 1978 extensive flooding of my property occurred when excess stormwater runoff from Bartter's now demolished layer sheds to the north of my farm accumulated with runoff from surrounding farms in the MI drain to the west of my property. In March 2012 a similar flood pattern occurred when the MI drainage channel was unable to contain stormwater runoff from properties to the north west and south of Farm 132.

Environmental impacts from construction of waste water treatment plant and pipeline

Construction of new lagoons on Lot 168 DP 751709 and pipeline from the WWTP to McWilliam's vineyards to the west of Hanwood will involve substantial dust and noise over long periods for up to approximately 15 years. Site of the new lagoons is approximately 200m from my house and a tenanted rental cottage on my farm. I am responsible for providing a safe living environment for my tenants.

The proposed pipeline will run along the eastern boundary of my property and along the southern boundary of my property to the Kidman Way.

As Farm 132 is not connected to the Griffith City Council water supply I and my tenants rely on rainwater collection from the roofs of our houses for clean drinking water. According to McWilliam's Environmental Impact Report (p. 20) measures will be implemented to mitigate environmental impacts including limiting hours of construction and dust suppression activities. I would like to know what strategies will be implemented to achieve this outcome and how they will be sustained and monitored during periods of construction for over approximately 15 years.

Access from Ben Martin Road

I also require further information about likely restriction of access from Ben Martin Road into my property during the pipeline construction. The tenants occupying the rental cottage require access via Ben Martin Road. Truck and grape harvester access is required during vintage.

Conclusion

I haven't read sufficient evidence in McWilliam's Winery Expansion proposal and related documents/attachments that would assure me that the company's planned increase grape crush from 30,000 to 65,000Tonne/Year will not result in adverse environmental impacts over the 15 years development period. No mention is made of strategies to monitor environmental impacts over this extended period in order to ensure a good quality of life for residents living close to this development.