An environmental enforcement order has been issued to a hinterland home park after authorities discovered sewage treatment issues, including “surface ponding of effluent”.
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) has issued the order to Lilyponds Home Park at Mapleton.
The order, which was issued on January 16, says authorised officers inspected the site at Warruga Street on November 12 and observed liquid “seeping” from an irrigation area and “ponding in a resident’s backyard”.
A statement from Lilyponds acknowledged the issue and said it was caused by a power outage.
“Lilyponds Home Park accepts responsibility for a one-off technical incident that led to a small amount of effluent ponding,” it said.
“The issue was caused by a power interruption during maintenance, which temporarily disrupted our irrigation timer. We immediately corrected the system, implemented new safety protocols to prevent a recurrence, and are working closely with the department to ensure full compliance.
“Our priority remains the health and safety of our residents and the local environment.”
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The enforcement order says testing confirmed the liquid was consistent with sewage and contained microbiological contaminants.
“The seeping liquid was coming from an upgradient source of the resident’s water tank and/or dwelling pipe connections, indicating the seepage was a result of the irrigation area trenches,” it stated.
“To confirm the seepage source, authorised officers collected samples of the ponding liquid seeping from the irrigation area and the directly impacted soil for laboratory analysis.
“Water sample results confirmed the presence of effluent indicators Escherichia coli, thermotolerant (faecal) coliforms and enterococci. Soil samples also identified key indicators of effluent.
“The sample results confirm that the liquid seeping from the irrigation area is indeed consistent with sewage characteristics.
“The department concludes that you have not complied with an environmental authority and released effluent in a manner that causes surface ponding and seepage outside of the irrigation area.”
The order lists a series of steps Lilyponds Home Park must take to rectify the breach. They include providing fortnightly effluent pumping records; installing surface water drainage controls; removing all effluent-contaminated material; and submitting an investigation report to DETSI.
The over-55s retirement village is understood to have 17 cabins and is run by Victoria Stammes and Aidan Curtin.
Its website says it has plans to revamp the communal facilities including an upgrade of the pool, building a poolside barbecue pavilion and firepit, and refurbishing the communal lodge.
Last year plans were submitted to replace 45 caravan sites with 36 relocatable homes and four short-term accommodation cabins at the adjoining Lilyponds Holiday Park.
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