By DANE LILLINGSTONE
RESIDENTS of Allora will now at least have a pathway of communication over GrainX operations in the town, with council agreeing to set up a consultative committee.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been agreed upon between council and GrainX.
The MOU will see the establishment of a committee to develop a relationship between all stakeholders and work on the current issues in Allora.
Mayor Peter Blundell and Councillor Neil Meiklejohn have been appointed to the committee that will join two GrainX representatives and two local Allora residents to meet every two months to review the progress and monitor concerns. It will be active for 12 months.
Expressions of interest will be sought by council for two local Allora residents to join the consultative committee.
The MOU will require monthly reports to be submitted to council in relation to daily operations at the site and will contain volumes of water used, volumes of grain and traffic volumes.
However it is only the first step in creating a flow of communication between the town and the company.
Local Allora resident Sandy Manson has lived at her current address for almost three years and is across the road from GrainX.
She has been continually frustrated with communication flows in the past and does not believe there is going to be much of a difference.
“I feel like we’re being appeased. I ring council when I get really get cranky, when I see disgusting dust coming towards us. I’ve got to complain but they don’t care,” she said.
“They say we know how you feel, we’ll let you know in a week or so what’s going on. Nothing changes.”
Her partner is in remission having suffered from lymphoma and she worries how much he can take.
“How long before it finally affects my husband?” she said.
“It’s not the same town anymore.”
GrainX representatives have advised that between 1 October and 31 December, operations on the site will increase due to the busy harvest period.
The company has proposed a temporary expansion of the container operations from 1 October to 31 January that would allow GrainX to operate in the peak months 24 hours, seven days a week.
Mayor Peter Blundell said it was supported by council.
“This proposal is supported by council, as it will ensure container operations will not extend beyond daytime operations at the GrainX site on Herbert Street during the harvest period,” Cr Blundell said.
“In order for this to occur, a permit to occupy from the Department of Natural Resources is required, along with development approval from council and these processes are underway.”
Council has also agreed to allow GrainX access to the disused Allora water bore.
GrainX says the water will be used for dust suppression and misting. They are going to be provided 80 kilolitres per day at 87 cents per kilolitre, although that number may vary.
