Feedback on a development application for the facility was invited at a discussion forum on Wednesday night. 

Resident Gordon Lindsay said he was amazed when he heard where the ambulance station would be built, particularly when union representatives were already raising concerns about odour from the plant.

“I was a bit amazed. I couldn’t believe that we would impose this on people who work for us in the community,” he said. 

He was even more amazed to hear that this was the most suitable location when around 20 sites were considered, saying the others “must have been pretty bloody awful”.

Mr Lindsay wrote letters to the mayor and each ouncillor detailing his concerns and later arranged a meeting with the mayor and planning officer for last week.

He said he asked a lot of questions at the meeting, including how many sites were looked at and what the criteria was, only to be told “We don’t know”.

He learnt that council had very little to do with the selection of a site and planning of the development. 

“I’m not disappointed, I’m disgusted, that this level of government cannot do anything about something like this and that we have people … they’re going to be put in an area where – it may not affect their health – but it certainly won’t be a pleasant area to work in,” he said.

Mr Lindsay said he plans to talk to higher levels of government to find out more about the project and hopefully stop staff being put in that position.

Health Infrastructure’s Emma Gosper and project manager Aaron Chandler were at the discussion forum to responded to the concerns.

In regards to odour, Mr Chandler said that an independent odour assessment report was compiled, finding the site suitable, however additional mitigation measures would be put in place.

These include an air conditioning system to provide ventilation without having to open doors and windows and the planting of around 1600 native plants to screen, filter and mask any odour. 

“A communication strategy will be established so that ambulance station staff are kept informed about the operation of the Bathurst STP and are consulted about aspects of the operation likely to result in odour,” he said.

Mr Chandler also addressed concerns over the impact to traffic, saying a traffic assessment was undertaken and determined no major upgrades of the intersection would be necessary.