2020-11-10 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                               10 NOVEMBER 2020


Benefits:
Recycling and reuse of waste in a circular economy is preferred, but some waste cannot be
effectively treated or reused. Thermal destruction can provide an effective alternative to landfilling
with the following benefits.
    Thermal destruction of non-recyclable waste can significantly reduce consumption of
      landfill air space, reducing the need to find new sites with their associated environmental
      impacts.
    Reduces the risk for groundwater contamination from potentially toxic material in landfill.
    Heat is easily harnessed to generate electricity and feed into the electricity grid providing a
      significant source of revenue to offset some of the costs of the treatment process.
    The technology is robust enough to accept non-combustible waste accidentally included in
      the incinerator.
Concerns:
    Capital investment and operating costs are high, even with the sale of electricity to offset
      some costs
    The report did not fully examine other emerging technologies overseas giving preference to
      safer and tried technology to avoid risk.
    Potential objection to toxic fumes and stack height make location of a facility an issue.
      Current technology is claimed to be able to scrub the exhaust gases to remove toxic
      residue.
    Participants did not support Unitywater providing governance for construction and
      operation of an incinerator primarily used by local government, as they have small amounts
      of residual combustible waste compared to local government.
5.    MOU Outcome
Initially participants supported the concept of proceeding to a business case for at least
anaerobic digestion however issues such as Covid-19 and local priorities have determined that
the timing is not right to proceed to this stage now. As the lead agent in the MOU process,
Unitywater have written to participants advising the MOU agreement is now finalized.
Unitywater have expressed interest in waste treatment technologies that may be implemented by
individual local governments suitable for treating sewage bio solids.
6.    Future Regional Opportunities
There are a range of initiatives underway within the broader region which provide potential
opportunities for Council to participate. Given the advances in this space, there are also likely to
be more options to be considered going into the future. Several of these options are outlined
below and it is recommended that the work undertaken to develop the new waste strategy for
Noosa Council explore the options for regional advanced waste treatment.
6.1 Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC)
Moreton Bay Regional Council had called a public tender for advanced waste treatment including
options for thermal processing and energy production prior to their involvement in the MOU
feasibility study.
Noosa Council has been approved to attend a MBRC Council meeting in mid-November to
observe a presentation by Riccardo (consultants) on the technical aspects of the tenders
received. Following this Noosa Council officers will continue to liaise with MBRC officers
regarding any potential involvement into the future.
6.2 Sunshine Coast Regional Council (SCRC):
SCRC are required to call tenders for their next waste collection contract and tenderers need to
know the future location and type of advanced waste treatment facility that may be available.



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