WYNDAM LEAKS SEWAGE INTO THE SEA

This sullage pond appears to be leaking into the tidal marsh near Wyndham.

GEOFF VIVIAN

Outdated sewerage works are leaking human waste into the Cambridge Gulf, according to Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley council minutes.

Shire president David Menzel said it was also deterring new industries from coming to Wyndham, as any new developments needed to provide for their own liquid waste disposal.

He said the Shire itself had tried to provide better toilet facilities at Wyndham Port but had not been allowed to link to the existing sewerage system.

“We found that the Health Department wouldn’t let us effectively do what Water Corp’s doing now,” he said. “I’m wondering if there’s a bit of a double standard there as far as Water Corp can get away with things that the Local Government can’t.”

At its latest meeting Councillors voted to formally approach State authorities to raise concerns about possible risk to the Wyndham community, and ask what could be done.