Cleanaway concede communication needs to improve

A Cleanaway spokesman has said the company has acknowledged that it needs to communicate better with the Dardanup community amidst growing opposition to its latest development applications.

“Since commencing this process, we have been made aware of concerns held by the community in relation to a range of issues,” he said.

“We want to acknowledge that and we know we need to do better about informing and consulting the community.”

Cleanaway has established a community engagement group in an effort to improve how the two parties work together.

“The opportunity we have now, and which we welcome, to improve how we work with the local community and the council,” the spokesman said.

“This is something we, as a business and a neighbour, are very committed to.

“We are developing our short and long-term community engagement plans and will communicate these plans in the near future.”

Three development applications have been put to shire councillors and will be assessed at a meeting next month.

The spokesman said a burgeoning lithium industry is set to play a role in the growth of the State’s economy and Cleanaway had an opportunity to play a part by providing a bespoke waste service.

He said the company was regularly assessed by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and would continue to meet any requirements placed on it.

“Cleanaway regularly meets all our requirements set by DWER,” he said.

“We have dedicated resources to collect windblown debris, increase vegetation and capping and have sourced additional water tanks for further dust control.”