NSW’s Shoalhaven City Council has entering into a long-term contract with Bioelektra Australia Pty Ltd to build and operate a first-of-its-kind mixed waste processing facility.
The new resource recovery facility will be constructed on council owned land adjacent to the current West Nowra Landfill site. Works will commence in 2019 and the facility is expected to be fully operational by late 2021.
At its October 2018 Ordinary Meeting, the council resolved unanimously to adopt the new technology which Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley stated will be an Australian first in waste management.
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“The Shoalhaven, much like other council areas are running out of landfill space and in 12 years time, it is predicted we will reach capacity at our West Nowra Landfill Facility,” Cr Findley said.
“This new facility will be a giant leap forward for how Shoalhaven manages waste that would otherwise end up in the landfill.
“This state-of-the-art facility will be Australia’s first advanced treatment plant capable of diverting 90 per cent of mixed waste from the landfill. Everything that can be reused or recycled will be extracted in one process.
Cr Findlay said there will be no extra charges for ratepayers.
“The introduction of this new facility is projected to extend the landfill life of the Shoalhaven to more than 50 years.”
The council’s waste levy bill to the NSW Government is projected to reduce by nearly $7 million ($4 million for domestic waste) per year as a result of reducing its waste to landfill. While council’s projected landfill will be extended from 12 years to more than 50, council is boasts that 100 per cent of everything householders place in the red bin that can be recycled will be. According to council’s website, it will be a system no other councils in NSW are achieving.