FINAL WASTE PLAN 2023 - 2028 · Attachment 1: From Waste to Resource Waste Plan 2023-28

Attachment 02: Eumundi                                                   1. Food waste processing: Implementing processes such as anerobic digestion, or
                                                                         in- vessel composting will convert food waste into valuable resources such as biogas
                                                                         and fertiliser, which in turn could generate a revenue stream from the process’s

Noosa Road Landfill Draft                                                outputs. This approach not only diverts waste from landfill but also harnesses
                                                                         the potential resource contained within the waste as well as reduce greenhouse
                                                                         gas emissions associated with landfilling organic matter. Food waste collection
Masterplan - Overview                                                    potentially has an impact on collection frequencies and bin infrastructure for
                                                                         households and commercial sites (to be further investigated).

                                                                         2. Biochar production from waste untreated timber: Investigating the implementation
                                                                         of biochar production techniques. Biochar is a charcoal-like substance created
                                                                         from organic matter. It provides a range of benefits. It serves as a soil amendment,
                                                                         enhancing soil health and fertility by improving nutrient retention and moisture
Noosa Council is now initiating a significant transformation of its      management. In addition, biochar plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration, aiding
Eumundi Noosa Road Landfill (Landfill) site into a renewable resource    in the capture and long-term storage of carbon dioxide, thereby mitigating climate
and energy hub.                                                          change impacts.

This is in tandem with changing State and Federal laws, as well as       3. Composting of green waste: Given the annual volume of approximately 20,000
evolving community standards that demand higher waste diversion          tonnes of green waste received at the Landfill site, Council is investigating the
and reuse over traditional landfill practices.                           establishment of a composting facility. This facility would allow Council to efficiently
                                                                         convert green waste into nutrient-rich compost, which can then be utilised in various
Such a strategic shift will address multiple environmental and           applications, such as agriculture and landscaping, thereby closing the organic
economic challenges while promoting sustainability, and the creation     waste loop.
of jobs in the region.
                                                                         4. Eumundi Noosa Road Landfill & Pomona/Cooroy Transfer Station redevelopment:
The need to rethink waste management practices stems from the            To drive resource recovery for both residential and commercial waste, the
recognition that emissions generated from decaying organic matter,       modernisation of the existing Landfill and Pomona & Cooroy Transfer stations are
predominantly food waste, running at an alarming 4000 tonnes a year,     critical. A state-of-the-art facility will facilitate efficient sorting and processing of
contributes to approximately 63% of Council’s total carbon footprint.    waste, enabling the diversion of recyclable and reusable materials from landfill.
                                                                         Implementing advanced waste management techniques at the Landfill will optimise
By adopting resource recovery methods, Council will significantly        resource recovery and contribute to a circular economy.
reduce resources (being viewed as waste) and going to landfill as well
as reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate                          5. Solar energy: A solar farm with battery storage capability is proposed to further
environmental impacts.                                                   maximise the environmental and economic potential from the Eumundi-Noosa Road
                                                                         landfill site, built onto available areas of the existing landfill.
To realise the Waste Plan vision, Council is exploring a range of
technologies, each specifically tailored to target different             6. Advanced manufacturing: A key proposal to attract local reuse and recycling
waste streams.                                                           businesses to work on site with potentially discounted access to raw materials
                                                                         and or cheap electricity/gas to allow businesses to actively participate in the
These plans are subject to approvals and feasibility studies but are     circular economy.
already in the early planning phase.


From Waste to Resource | Waste Plan 2023 - 2028                                                                                                                  32