As flood-related waste reaches unprecedented levels, nine councils across the NSW North Coast are seeking a new processing facility to cut waste going to landfill.
The councils are calling for expressions of interest from industry proponents to provide a regional response to the challenge of the volume of waste sent for landfill disposal, as well as enhance recovery rates and gain opportunities from sending recovered materials to end markets.
The councils, including Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Tweed and Richmond Valley, will seek to negotiate a long-term waste processing contract with industry, with the successful proponent responsible for the operation and maintenance of an appropriate facility.
Regional approach needed
Richmond Valley Council’s Director Projects & Business Development Ben Zeller said RVC Council was committed to the implementation of viable options for waste management. He said a regional approach to sustainable waste management may attract private investment in waste treatment, processing or disposal facilities.
Mr Zeller said all nine councils were interested in a complete project package, which incorporated feasibility, finance, technology delivery, operation, maintenance, and marketing of the processed output products.
Waste streams available for the new facility could include kerbside and self-hauled municipal solid waste and recyclables, general waste from commercial and industrial self-haul customers, and residual waste from the material recovery facility too contaminated for recycling.
‘All technologies offered must meet best practice, have a track record of reliable operation, and meet the environmental and safety expectations documented in NSW’s Environmental and Health legislation,’ said Mr Zeller said.
Expressions of interest will be accepted until 5pm on 3 June 2022 and submitted through the VendorPanel.
I have said elsewhere that there was a lot of stuff that probably should not have been throw out. If something can be saved and recycled all the better. One cannot blame the flood victims entirely, I suppose there were few options for separation and storage at such short notice.
End of the day, everything that has been throwen out is covered in human septic waste and whatever was in the petrol stations,ext.The landslides have also contributed to the amazing amount of guck, sometimes you just gotta Bury it.an that’s what they do at the working face at the tip.Hopefully some things will get recicled, I like going to the recicled shop in Lismore.