Polpure pursues Narrambla solution for waste processing facility

Polpure was first approved to operate at its Forest Road location in 2009, treating grease trap waste and storing oil-water separator waste.

But in 2014, the company lodged a development application (DA) with Orange City Council to also include septic tank waste, drill mud from mining exploration and agricultural liquid waste.

Residents opposed the development at the time concerned about the ongoing quality of their bores, which most used for drinking, and the land’s zoning for primary production, which did not allow for waste facilities. 

They also started a petition against the expansion, which gained about 200 signatures, and 35 submissions were lodged with Orange City Council, but the DA still has not come before councillors.

However, Polpure recently lodged another DA with the council to locate the operation on Phillip Street, as part of the Narrambla industrial estate. 

It would be located directly to the west of the council’s sewerage treatment plant. 

The operation would produce 4320 tonnes of compost a year.

It would also process 480 tonnes of septic waste, 104 tonnes of oily water, 1400 tonnes of grease trap waste, 208 tonnes of agricultural waste and 104 tonnes of drilling mud waste annually. 

“The proposed facility will encompass Polpure’s philosophy of viewing waste as resources, which can be converted into useful products,” the application said. 

Planner Peter Basha, speaking on behalf of Polpure, said both applications were live. 

“It’s my understanding that if the Narrambla application gets approved, then it’s likely the currently undetermined Spring Hill application will be withdrawn,” he said. 

Public submissions close at 5pm on Monday.