Warkworth – The Warkworth Business Association has formally notified the Ministry of the Environment it is opposed to a composting facility being established near the village.

WBA chair Kim MacNeil warns in a letter to the Moe that the proposed venture, to produce fertilizer, “has the potential [to cause] economic decay” in the local community.

Bio Balance requires a certificate of approval in order to proceed with plans to use the former Warkworth Cheese Factory and an offsite property where whey was once dumped.
The association is concerned having a composting facility just 1.5 kilometres west of town will gradually ruin the retail businesses “that are so important to our survival.”

MacNeil cited concerns over odour, truck traffic, and inconsistencies in the proponent’s documentation that have given rise to doubts about Bio Balance’s credibility.

She said “Warkworth was a dying town 10 years ago” until the WBA and municipal, provincial and federal governments spent more than $500,000 to revitalize the village and turn it into “a going concern.”

Businesses and building owners also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of their own money to refurbish their properties, MacNeil said.

Not only is their future at but also the many events that take place in Warkworth, such as the Maple Syrup Festival in March, which brings 5,000 to 7,000 visitors to the village for a weekend; the Percy Bulldogs Winter Classic which raises money for minor hockey; the Donnybrook fundraising auction organized by the Warkworth Community Service Club; the Warkworth Western Weekend; and the famous Long Lunch that draws about 1,200 people.

MacNeil asked the ministry to carry out a full environmental assessment before considering the application by Bio Balance.