Photo credit: Vicki Whyman
Environmental Protection
There is a general acknowledgement that human activity, including the pressures of population, technology and business is placing increasing strain on the environment. Pollution, loss of species and waste are some of the impacts.
Pollution comes in many forms, but the most common are land, noise, air and water. Long-term pollution and pollution incidents can give rise to large areas of waste and contaminated land that have an impact for many generations. There is a range of legislation and government (local, state and federal) bodies designed to manage the cumulative impact of existing and future human activities on the environment.
However, the community can play an important part in maintaining and enhancing the local environment.
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The definition of noise itself is highly subjective. To some, the roar of an engine is thrilling, to others an annoyance; loud music may be enjoyable or a torment, depending on the circumstances. Whatever the circumstances, we all have a responsibility to minimise the noise our activities, equipment and animals make. Always remember that your neighbour should be able to enjoy their property or residence as much as you enjoy yours.
As well as responsibilities under planning legislation, Council has a range of enforcement options under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
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Living the country lifestyle allows residents to enjoy a relatively clean atmosphere with good air quality. Short-term air quality issues can arise from time to time as a result of environmental factors such as climate, bushfires or air-borne pollens.
If you feel that air quality is being adversely affected by an individuals actions, please contact Council on 02 6930 1800.
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Council and residents are proud of the way our towns and villages and road corridors are presented. Unfortunately at times this can be jeopardised through senseless littering and illegal dumping. Litter and illegally dumped waste is not only unsightly, but also potentially dangerous and damaging to human health and the wider environment. On-the-spot fines can be issued by Council beginning at $200 for cigarette butts.
Through the vigilance of residents and visitors, we can ensure that litter and illegal dumping does not become a frequent occurrence within the Coolamon Shire. Illegal dumping can be reported to Council on 02 6930 1800.
Water
Goldenfields Water County Council is the water authority for the Coolamon Shire. In recent years, the Shire, like many other areas of Australia, has been significantly impacted by drought which resulted in dramatic changes to water use for households and businesses.
Council is committed to water conservation and has a number of strategies and actions in place to save water in the shire, we are also proud to partner with the Water Conservancy. For further information and resources available visit: water-conservation-management
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Council has been recycling the effluent from the Coolamn Sewerage Treatment Plant for re-use on sporting fields since the mid-1960s. The system was recently upgraded to a first-class tertiary water treatment process by adding a 40 megalitre solar powered storage facility, with improved filtration and chlorination plants. The water is used to irrigate Kindra Park, the Coolamon Sport and Recreation Club and the Jim Thompson sporting fields, providing significant water and cost savings while maintaining local playing fields.
Both the reclaimed water and soil of the application areas are frequently tested to strict license conditions to ensure no environmental harm or public health issues arise.
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Council aims to save 3.17 million litres of town water each year by increasing the use of synthetic turf in parks, installing centralised watering systems and replacing sprinklers with low water use pop-up Watermark approved systems.
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For the latest information on water restrictions, please visit the Goldenfields Water website.
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The Water For Life website contains everything you need to know about saving water recycling and efficiency and has a good educational resource hub.
The NSW Office of Water is responsible for the management of the State's surface water and groundwater resources.
The Sustainable Gardening Australia website contains a wealth of information relating to drought-tolerant gardening and water use in the garden
Biosecurity
Weeds in the Coolamon Shire area have the potential to pose a serious threat to our natural environment, farming productivity and health of the community.
The Shire has a biosecurity team which enforces the Biosecurity Act 2015 and liases with and advises land owners and occupiers in regards to biosecurity risks. The team is also responsible for developing local control plans, detecting new incursions, controlling weeds on Council land and carrying out property inspections.
Private landowners or occupiers of land are required under the Biosecurity Act 2015 to control any declared species which may be present on their property.
Council’s Biosecurity Weed Management Policy can be downloaded from the Council Policies page.
You can speak to Council's Biosecurity Officer by calling 02 6930 1800.
Pest Management
Pest animals and insects can pose significant problems to land owners. From time to time, the Shire is subjected to infestation from outbreaks of pests such as mice and locusts, sometimes in plague proportions.
All up to date information on pests can be found on the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities website.
The NSW Government's Department of Primary Industries also has a range of information and fact sheets relating to the management and control of pests, all of which can be found on the DPI website.
Underground Petroleum Storage Systems
Underground petroleum storage systems (UPSS) can leak and contaminate surrounding land and groundwater, creating risks to human health and the environment.
UPSS, or 'fuel tanks', are most common at service stations but may be found where fuel is used, for example at marinas, work depots, airports, car dealerships, or government facilities.
Operators of UPSS must have systems in place to help prevent, report, and fix leaks if they happen.
Local Councils took over the regulation of the operation of UPSS in NSW on 1st September 2019 from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
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The Protection of the Environment Operations (Underground Petroleum Storage Systems) Regulation 2014 (UPSS Regulation) aims to minimise the risk to human health and the environment through best practice design, installation, maintenance, and monitoring of UPSS in NSW.
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The person responsible for a UPSS is the person who has ‘management and control’ of the system. The person responsible must have procedures and systems in place to detect and manage any leaks as early as possible, and document these in an Fuel System Operation Plan for the premises.
It is against the law to allow, or ignore, contamination resulting from a leaking or faulty UPSS.
The person responsible for the UPSS has a duty to notify pollution incidents immediately and then provide a completed UPSS Regulation notification form to the Appropriate Regulatory Authority within seven days.
You can access a UPSS Leak Notification Form on the Forms, Applications and Certificates page.
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The EPA will remain the appropriate regulatory authority for UPSS sites that are:
operated by public authorities
in the unincorporated areas of NSW
subject to an environment protection licence
subject to a notice issued by the EPA for a matter under the UPSS Regulation until the actions in the notice have been complied with.
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Remnant Vegetation
Grassy Box Woodland
Coolamon Shire is home to some rare stands of remnant Grassy Box Woodland communities. Two such communities of note have been identified at the North Berry Jerry Cemetery and the Marrar Cemetery. Species studies have indicated the presence of some rare and beautiful plant species such as the Chocolate lily (Dichopogon strictum), which when in flower smells like a chocolate milkshake!
Corridors
Council, in partnership with the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority and local landholders have strengthened the conservation status of several of Council’s remnant vegetation sites. Corridors linking the North Berry Jerry and Marrar Cemeteries, as well as another linking Ganmain, Kindra and Lesterfield Forests have been completed providing sanctuary for native flora species often subjected to droving or roadside destruction, whilst also banking habitat for native fauna species and ensuring biodiversity into the future.