Bunbury Harvey Regional Council to receive $1.9 million operating subsidy after members approve request

The operators of the Stanley Road tip will receive a $1.9 million direct operating subsidy this financial year as it suffers from financial pressures. The Bunbury Harvey Regional Council has been successful in its request for the funds to operate its day-to-day operations, which is a 46 per cent increase on the $1.3 million direct subsidy received in the 2022-23 financial year. The contribution has been split evenly between the City of Bunbury and the Shire of Harvey after the latter approved its share of the request at last month’s meeting. Harvey Shire president Michelle Campbell said the Shire was required to assist the regional council as a member if and when it is required. “My understanding is the funds are to cover some of the operational costs and the legacy issues at the site,” she said. “They have a limited income and we have a responsibility to assist them financially.” Ms Campbell noted the regional council had to explain why the funding was needed before it was granted. “There is a lot of work done behind the scenes by Shire staff to ensure we are not just handing over the money without the BHRC fully justifying the funding,” she said. Harvey Shire’s decision comes after the City of Bunbury voted to approve its direct contributions in September. The Bunbury Harvey Regional Council has requested an additional $3 million combined from the two local governments to dispose of timber and $900,000 for mattress disposal as part of its 2023-24 budget. Its main asset, the Stanley Road Waste Management Facility in Australind, has been plagued by issues surrounding its historical use of what is known as unlined cells, which do not have barriers to stop decomposing landfill waste from leaching into nearby soil and groundwater. The facility was found to be responsible for the contamination of groundwater with per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS. The Bunbury Harvey Regional Council and the City of Bunbury were both contacted for comment.