Meeting Minutes
Meeting Title
Park Orchards Trial Community Engagement Panel
Prepared by
Katherine Collette
Phone
9872 1832
Location
Yarra Valley Water
Report at Reception Offices
Lucknow Street
Mitcham 3132
Date & Time
6:00 – 7:30 pm
8 November 2016
Attendees
Toni Meek (YVW - Facilitator)
David Diaz (YVW)
Katherine Collette (YVW)
Matt Wagenfeld (PORA)
Peter White
Andrew Prout
Elizabeth Hanson
Apologies
Robert Ameer,
Kristian Demsky (YVW)
Andrew Gellie (YVW)
Item
Meeting commenced at 6:00pm
1.
Previous Minutes and Actions
Chris Brace (YVW)
Jan van der Merwe
Trevor Street
Trevor Habel
Gail Jobson
Action & Date
There were two outstanding actions from the previous meeting. These
were:
2

POTCEP panel members to indicate if they wanted to meet with
Manningham Council to discuss septic system management
options/permits/options for overlays. The following panel members
are interested: Trevor Street, Matt, Andrew, Gail, Peter. Agenda
items to include: Council’s responses to complaints about poorly
functioning septics, Planning Permits for the proposed sewer, rPBR
system.
Katherine will set up
a meeting with
Manningham and
distribute an agenda
prior for people to
add to.

At the previous meeting Matt said he wanted to understand YVW’s
‘framework’ and what is/is not negotiable. Matt needs to discuss
this with (local MP) Ryan Smith and once he has done this, will get
back to the group.
Matt to clarify what he
means
by
‘framework’.
Trevor’s questions
Trevor Street sent through a number of questions after the last meeting.
Katherine went through each question and YVW’s response (see
presentation).
3.

Peter raised a general concern about who will manage on-site
systems. He said he is concerned some residents will not do this
to the standard required.

Andrew had a query about the steps in slide 9 of the presentation.
He said that there needs to be another couple of steps. E.g. Step
2 should ask if the system was delivering a better environmental
outcome. His other point was if the system isn’t capable of
containing wastewater on-site and was failing, whose responsibility
was it?

Chris agreed that management of septic systems is an issue and
YVW is working to get reforms that will help and potentially give
councils more power. YVW is also considering the role it could play
in the management of on-site systems into the future. Chris
reiterated that currently all management options are being
considered, and the trial should provide the information required to
evaluate all possible scenarios.

Gail said YVW needs to be clearer about who has responsibility for
what. If a property can contain YVW needs to be more explicit that
it is the customer that pays/has responsibility for
maintenance/upkeep (i.e. it’s not just the council’s responsibility, it
is also the customer’s.)

Matt asked if Council’s role in dealing with complaints could be
added to the agenda for the meeting with Council.

Elizabeth had questions relating to the implications of on-site
systems for future property improvements. She said that if people
had more knowledge about the implications now would they change
their mind?

Katherine said that YVW is undertaking social research to
understand what residents think about on-site servicing and this is
one of the things that will be explored—i.e. attitudes to and
understanding of the implications of on-site servicing. This will be
considered in decision making about how/if YVW pursues on-site
servicing in Park Orchards and elsewhere.

Gail made a comment about changes over time in property size and
how larger properties that would have been able to contain their
wastewater on-site had become smaller because of changes in
zonings and were now less able to contain all of their wastewater
on-site.

Trevor asked how the sewer was being designed and what flows it
would accommodate. He also asked why was not being sized to
take all flows (i.e. not just the flows from the properties that cannot
contain).

Chris explained the pipe is designed is around the peak flow in wet
weather. This means there will be some capacity for more lots to
connect. He said it duplicating the sewer would be less of an issue
because it is not a large sewer. Having to duplicate a branch sewer
(like Donvale) would be much more difficult and it is more important
to ensure the sewer can control all of the flows upstream.
Onsite properties

David provided an update on the construction works.

David said there were some issues associated with refurbishing
one of the sand filters and SSA had to install an Advanced
Wastewater Treatment System on the site instead.
4.
5.

Andrew Prout talked about failing sand filters. He cited his work with
rain garden installation and said that issues were usually noticeable
in the first 200mm.

Elizabeth had a question about landlords not letting tenants know
about works. Elizabeth will provide information to David about a
specific matter for David to follow up.

Jan raised concerns about traffic management while construction
works are undertaken. Jan said there had been times when
Ennismore Crescent was reduced to one lane. David responded
that he has been working with the contractor this week to improve
their traffic management practices.

Gail asked a question about planning permits and ensuring that
process went smoothly. Chris responded that YVW has been
having ongoing discussions with Council about this. Gail asked if
this could be added to the agenda for the meeting with Council.
Offsite properties

Katherine provided an update on the design of the sewer and likely
timing.

Katherine talked about the new on-site (rPBR) system YVW is
considering trialling on the sites within the trial area that can ‘partly
contain’ their wastewater.
Social research

6.
Katherine will
include planning
permits on the
agenda for the
meeting with
Council.
Katherine provided background information on the social research
YVW will be undertaking.
Katherine may
distribute social
research questions
for POTCEP
members to
comment on.
General Business


7.
Elizabeth commented about the complexity of the project.
Elizabeth also requested that she would like to see a comparison
of all environmental impacts associated with the project, i.e.
greenhouse implications with pumps etc.
 David said YVW had considered this and he had some reports he
would make available. TM asked if the rest of the panel members
would like to see this information – they agreed they would.
 Matt commented that responsibilities and guidelines need to be
very clear. He also requested that this be put to Council at the
proposed meeting.
 Trevor Street asked about how long after the shops are serviced
will it take to get some good data about environmental impacts,
and also once all of the on-site systems are installed.
 Trevor Habel wanted to acknowledge the contractors who he said
had been very courteous and obliging and arrived on time for
meetings.
 Matt complemented YVW’s innovation with trialling recirculating
flatbed reactor wastewater treatment systems.
 Toni thanked panel members for their ongoing participation and
on behalf of YVW wished them all the best for the festive season.
Next Meeting time, date and agenda setting
Next meeting to be held in same venue on Tuesday 7 February 2017 at
6:00pm.
Katherine will
distribute this
information with the
minutes
8.
Wrap up and close – Meeting closed at 7:30pm.