Hans Lovejoy’s article on the Lavertys Gap Water Filtration plant gives cause for some serious questions.
Dominika Tomanek, Executive Assistant Infrastructure Services, seems to have made a recommendation to the elected Council to ignore the Water & Sewer Committee’s recommendation and follow the staff’s strategy. Firstly, what qualifications does Dominika Tomanek have in the field of water treatment and hydraulics?
Secondly, should it not be the director of infrastructure asking the committee to discuss this issue after presenting staff concerns and letting the committee make their recommendation?
Why has a staff member of Rous been sitting in on the Water & Sewer Committee meetings?
It is obvious that the Department of Infrastructure wants the Mullumbimby water supply handed over to Rous but how does this benefit the residents of Mullumbimby and what happens to the residents who are delivered water straight from the plant? Tell them to get tanks and see you later?
Other questions are: how is Rous going to get the water to the existing reservoir; and who is going to pay for the infrastructure to get the water there?
This is much the same as the attempt to close the Ocean Shores treatment plant, did that strategy go before the committee or straight to the elected Council?
I went to that Council meeting and witnessed the director of infrastructure indicate that the staffer was responsible. The directors are responsible for what happens beneath them, in this case, the director of infrastructure is responsible for ensuring accurate information is supplied for people to assess for the betterment of the community and Council.
