Meeting papers

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                          11 DECEMBER 2023


6.5       RESOURCE RECOVERY AREA EXPANSION


Author               Waste Project Manager, Chelsea Bennett
                     Waste Management | Infrastructure Services Department
Index                ECM/ Subject / Waste Management / 60.34 - Waste Sites - Eumundi Road
                     Management and Maintenance
Attachments          1.   Attachment 1 - Concept Layout


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report provides information for noting regarding the proposed expansion of the existing
Resource Recovery Area at the existing Eumundi Noosa Road Resource Recovery site (Lot
77). Although a comprehensive process for the development of a comprehensive site masterplan is
underway, the Resource Recovery Area expansion cannot await this process due to operational
imperatives and must be delivered as a priority.

Expansion of the Resource Recovery Area is necessary for the construction of a new high-efficiency
sediment (HES) basin and to allow for improved management of community, health & safety and
environmental aspects of the site’s operation as summarised below:
      •   Community need - Council has the expectation and responsibility to provide an adequate
          waste service for the shire. With the region growing, so is the volume of waste being
          produced. Expansion of the Resource Recovery Area is critical to provide sufficient space for
          Council to meet waste deferral expectations and the community’s need.
      •   Safety Improvements - Council has a duty of care to provide a safe work environment for
          staff, contractors and the public using the landfill. Expansion of the Resource Recovery Area
          is critical to offer sufficient space for Council to manage safety risks and provide a safe work
          environment within the Resource Recovery Area.
      •   Environmental impacts - Council must operate the landfill under the Environmental Authority
          (EA) permit for the site (EPPR01855314). Council has a general environmental duty and is
          obligated under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, to take all reasonable measures to
          prevent environmental harm. Expansion of the Resource Recovery Area is critical to enable
          the relocation and upgrade of the sites northern high-efficiency sediment basin, so that
          Council can maintain compliance with the sites EA and general environmental duty under the
          Environmental Protection Act 1994.
Planning for this expansion commenced in 2019 on the back of recommendations from an external
consultant to resolve health, safety and environmental risks associated with the current Resource
Recovery Area. While temporary mitigation strategies to manage these risks have been thoroughly
employed, the site now requires the implementation of a more permanent and effective solution.

The expansion has impacts on vegetation on the site, noting that a significant proportion of the overall
site (76%) has been designated for conservation purposes. Further assessment of this aspect will
be determined by a development application to be presented to Council in the near future. Provision
of offsets are being provided as part of the proposal.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Waste Project Manager to the General Committee dated 11
December 2023 raising:
      A. The challenges and constraints associated with the current site; and
      B. The benefits associated with the proposed Resource Recovery Area expansion.



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