COBDEN SEWERAGE

Grey River Argus, 7 February 1941, Page 5

COBDEN SEWERAGE

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Borough Engineer reported as follows on the Cobden sewerage to the Borough Council last evening:— The major portion of the domestic waste waters from that area of Cobden bounded on three sides by Cardwell and Bright Streets and Range Creek passes into Taylor Creek which crosses Sturge Street north-east-wards from Ward Street, and Bright Street, under the War Memorial Bridge, near Cardwell Street. A tributary of this is a small creek which crosses Ashmore Avenue and joins the larger creek in Sturge Street, thissmaller creek bringing the domestic waste waters from the Ashmore Avenue area. An application has been received for the piping of the open portion of this tributary between Ashmore Avenue and Sturge Street., portion being already enclosed. This application opens up the much larger question of the enclosure of the whole of the main creek and its tributary into which domestic waste waters are discharged, one portion of the system cannot be considered without considering flic position generally as appli-. cations for the remainder would no doubt, be received immediately a favourable decision had been given regarding the application now before the Council.

When the scheme for the completion of the sewerage of that portion of the Borough lying to the south of the Grey River was prepared in 193536, a comprehensive scheme was drawn up for the sewerage of Cobden. That scheme provided for the diversion of Taylor Creek, by piping it with 42-inch diameter pipes, via Newcastle Street to the Grey River, the estimated cost of that portion being £6,703., the cost of pipes alone amounting to £2,135. Apart from cost subsequent investigations has made questionable the desirability of so diverting the creek and abandoning tne existing channel. An alternative appeared to be the piping of the creek in the existing channel. Pipes alone for this would cost £2,500, and the creek bottom is very soft, a circumstance which would entail very considerable cost to lay the pipes on a secure foundation, probably as much if not more than the cost of the pipes. In addition a large volume of filling would have to be brought in to provide cover. This proposal is not recommended diversion of the creek is preferable. The alternative of either of these proposals is to provide a sewer to take the flow for which lhe remainder of the system is designed only. With provision for expansion of the burnup area in the locality this calls for a 24-inch diameter sewer down Newcastle Street from Ward Street to an outfall into the Grey River, al Nelson Quay meanwhile, but later across Cobden Island to the main river channel. To this has to be added the cost of eliminating domestic waste waters from the Ashmore Avenue tributary, the cost of which, proportional to the estimated cost of brancn sewers in the 1935-36 scheme, amounts to £1,668. Comparative estimates for lhe two schemes, the diversion of Taylor Creek, via Newcastle Street and the provision of sewers only to attaining the same end so far as domestic sewerage is concerned, are as follows:— Taylor Creek, via Newcastle Street. —Piping Taylor Creek £6,703; Ashmore Avenue Branch £1.668. Tola! £8 371. Sewer only.—Ward Street to Nelson Quay £2,135; Ashmore Avenue branch £1,668; Sturge Street branch £9OO. Total £4,703.

The report was referred to the Works Committee for consideration, and a copy is to be h.rwarded to the two residents concerned.