At least 95 per cent of household waste from nine councils in Melbourne’s south-east will be diverted from landfill and used to create energy.
The councils have entered a Waste Supply Agreement with Maryvale EfW Project Co Pty Ltd, a consortium between Veolia Australia and New Zealand, Opal Australian Paper, and Masdar Tribe Australia. Under the agreement, waste will be sent to an advanced processing facility in Maryvale in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley.
The nine councils are shareholders in South East Metropolitan Advanced Waste Processing (SEMAWP) Pty Ltd, a company created by the councils for the purpose of this procurement.
Mick Cummins, SEMAWP Board Chair and Bayside City Council Chief Executive Officer, said diverting the residual waste from the nine councils would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 270,000 tonnes annually, equivalent to removing 50,000 cars from the road each year.
“This solution provides an alternative to landfill that makes better use of household waste than burying it in the ground. Items that can’t be reused or recycled will be put to better use,” Cummins said.
Considering how waste is managed into the future needs to be a priority for councils said Yarra Ranges Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Tammi Rose.
“We know we are running out of space for landfill. Our recently introduced waste changes have seen a reduction in the amount of food and organics going to landfill but there is still more we can do,” Rose said.
“Ideally, we should be preventing, minimising, recycling and recovering our waste wherever possible; and when it’s not possible then we need to look at disposal. Generating energy from waste is a logical part of managing our waste and Yarra Ranges is pleased to be involved in this innovative approach to waste management.”
Household waste in Melbourne’s south east is projected to increase by 40 per cent by 2046. The last remaining landfill in the south east of Melbourne will close in the next few years. The SEMAWP project will ensure that residents’ waste is used to create a valuable energy source for an important industry in the Latrobe Valley.
The Maryvale Energy from Waste (EfW) facility will be adjacent to the existing Opal Australian Paper Maryvale Mill.
Councils will deliver waste to a transfer station planned for construction in Melbourne’s south east, where it will be prepared for bulk transfer to Maryvale EfW. The paper mill will use the combined heat and power from the facility.
Energy-from-waste facilities are being used safely and reliably in metropolitan areas around the world, including in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and North America.
Modern, best-practice advanced waste processing facilities have strong safety track records and are designed to meet strict emissions standards, with real-time emission monitoring to ensure they meet strict air quality standards.
In Victoria, EfW facilities must be appropriately located, constructed and operated according to strict regulations that minimise risks to the environment and people.
The contract term for the Waste Supply Agreement will be 25 years. Cummins said this would provide cost certainty and waste processing security to participating councils.
SEMAWP comprises Bayside City Council, Cardinia Shire Council, City of Casey, City of Greater Dandenong, Frankston City Council, Kingston City Council, Knox City Council, Whitehorse City Council and Yarra Ranges Shire Council.
By forming a single entity, the councils strengthen their influence on the economic, environmental and social outcomes of the project. SEMAWP exists only to manage the contract agreement for the advanced waste processing facility and cannot make decisions on other waste or council matters.
For more information, visit: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au
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