‘Hunter New England Local Health District Health Honer New Englana Population Heath NSW | Hunter New England Prone: (aaa ote Fac) ze 0 Local Health District SRST pce nena egos 24 March 2014 Mr Doug Lucas ‘Manager Commercial Services Hunter Water Corporation P 0 Box5171 HRMC NSW 2310 Dear Mr Lucas HUNTER REGION PRIORITY SEWERAGE PROGRAM | refer to your recent telephone conversations with Mr Philippe Porigneaux, Environmental Health Manager and email dated 13 March 2074 in relation to the above, Hunter New England Local Health District, NSW Health (HNELHD) is supportive of the ‘approach being taken by Hunter Water Corporation (HVC) to reinstate the Hunter Region Priority Sewerage Program (PSP). The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) report titled Prionty Sewerage Program Supplementary Environmental Assessment Apr! 12002 identified fourteen townships in the Hunter Region which were without reticulated sewerage, Since the EPA report of 2002, four of the fourteen townships identified have subsequently been provided with reticulated sewerage. Of the ten townships remaining, five are listed as ‘Ranking A — high priority’ with the assessment report indicating amongst tenvironmental considerations, that provision of sewer in the remaining locations would Tikely result insignificant reduction in hurnan health risk. Its acknowledged that the EPA report of 2002 isa litle dated. Nevertheless, the detail of the report provides sound basis for setting current priortes. HNELHD concurs with HWC's approach to Local Government Authorities in the region to ensure the townships listed in the report that remain without reticulated sewerage are stil considered appropriate for inclusion in the PSP. It is also appropriate that re-evaluation by Local Government Officers of Ranking Category’s allocated to listed townships be encouraged. This will greatly assist in identifying locations with limited change and those that may require escalation n ranking status due to growth over the last decade. Such growth may have placed additional environmental burden on ecosystems resulting in heightened environmental degradation and potentaly increased public health risk, HINELHD is also supportive of a process which enables Local Government Authorities the ‘opportunity to identify additional townships, either existing or emerging townships which utero gn al ea iit una tw EngandPonsaton Hat at nei Scanstenceaheh nova) ‘won tehath eng 062 Mc Doug wucas "8 March 20% have associated issues with sewage management and may be contributing to ‘environmental iseues or risk to public health. Its noted that townships within the Dungog ‘Shire Council that may be suitable for inclusion in the PSP are currently not included which is associated with Dungog and surrounds having only been recently included within HWC's area of operation. It is acknowledged that townships within the Dungog Shire Council area will be considered separately ‘Whilst HNELHD is supportive of provision of reticulated sewerage to all the townships listed in the EPA report of 2002 that remain without reticulated sewerage, it is fully supportive of those Ranking A townships being Hexham, Seaham, Wyse, Wollombi and Blackalls Park/Toronto West being funded and upgraded. In addition, it is. the Understanding of this office that North Rothbury (previous Ranking C) has undergone significant growth in the last decade. Along with the upgrade of the Branxton WWTP ‘which provides high quality recycled water to the Vintage Estate in the area and a significantly improved discharge to Black Creek (when required), it would appear that the North Rothbury ranking would require adjustment to as high as Ranking A. Over the Centu’s, the provision of reticulated sewerage remains one of man's greatest public health interventions and has succeeded in drastically reducing the incidence of water-borne diseases among urban population along with increasing human life expectancy. This office is supportive of HWC’s endeavours in progressing with the PSP and i wiling to assist where practical to achieve desired outcomes. ‘Should you have any further enquiries or require additional information, please telephone Mr Philippe Porigneaux, Environmental Health Manager on 4924 6494. Director - Health Protection Hunter New England Population Health