Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey MP, today announced that the Kempsey Shire Council will receive $6.63 million in funding to construct the Stuarts Point sewerage scheme, liberating the town from long held water quality and sewerage issues.

Mrs Pavey said the sewerage system, to be operational in four years, would be installed to properties in Stuarts Point, Fishermans Reach and Grassy Head, with wastewater transferred 18km to the South West Rocks treatment plant.

“The project will convert the area’s septic tanks over to a modern wastewater management system’” she said. “Funding this scheme makes a difference to property values and the quality of life for residents and will also have a positive environmental impact on our waterways and in turn secure the future of our oyster industry.”

President of the Stuarts Point and District Community Organisation (SPADCO) Des Breust said residents had been campaigning for the sewerage system for over a decade and were ‘ecstatic’ over the announcement.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Mr Breust said. “I joined SPADCO ten years ago and it was in the notes then.”

“People will be ecstatic – especially those who live in the streets behind the caravan park. They’re sick of the stench that comes during peak periods when the park septic system gets really smelly.”

Local real estate agent Caterina Cooper said she was still in shock over the news.

“It’ll be a while before it sinks in!,” Mrs Cooper said. “Developers have been waiting so long for this. It should make a huge difference to prices – it has to, we saw it happen in Hat Head.”

Mayor Liz Campbell said there would be no lump sum up front cost to residents, with a phased payment system set to begin this financial year, which will see residents pay an estimated total of $1708 by 2020. 

“With this funding injection Council have now been able to develop a financial model that will meet the total project costs without placing an up-front financial burden on the residents,” she said.

Mr Breust said he felt most residents would be happy to pay the designated amount.

“It’s bugger all to pay,” he said. “They will just be so relieved not to have to deal with that smell at Christmas time!”

Jake Jeffery from Stuarts Point Supermarket and Liquormart said he was excited to see the town benefit from the sewerage system.

“It’s be great to see some growth in the community,” Mr Jeffery said. “I think it’ll evolve – it’ll be exciting to see what happens next.”