RESOURCE RECOVERY AREA EXPANSION · Report

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                       11 DECEMBER 2023



REPORT
1. Background

The Noosa Council has traditionally relied on landfilling as the primary method of waste
management. However, in line with global trends, this practice is undergoing significant changes as
governments and businesses worldwide are increasingly seeking to reuse and repurpose waste as
a resource. In response to these changes, Noosa Council has made a strategic decision to move
away from the use of landfill as the primary waste management method. This decision is strongly
supported by the community as reflected in the recently endorsed Noosa Council Waste Plan (2023-
2028). The Waste Plan underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable
resource management through the emphasis on waste deferral activities, programs, and the forward
planning of the Eumundi Noosa Road Resource Recovery site’s land use (Lot 77).

An historic example of this commitment was reflected in 2007, and later again in 2021, where Council
supported the re-designation of over 76% of the original 322 hectares of the landfill site Lot 77, for
the purpose of Nature Refuge instead of community infrastructure associated with landfill. The
remaining land on Lot 77 that has been specifically set aside for community infrastructure is currently
undergoing a thorough master planning process to ensure improved future planning and direction.
However, the immediate priority is to address the land restrictions related to the Resource Recovery
Area and high-efficiency sediment basin. The planning process for this issue is more advanced and
cannot be delayed for the more extensive process tied to the master plan.

Figure 1, Extents of Lot 77 originally zoned as Community Infrastructure

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                     11 DECEMBER 2023


Figure 2, Timing and Extent of Weyba Refuge Dedications




Figure 3, Area Remaining for Community Waste Infrastructure

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                      11 DECEMBER 2023


In 2008 the Eumundi Noosa Road Resource Recovery site (Lot 77), established a Resource
Recovery Area to permit recycling activities on site to lessen the volume of materials and waste
being sent to landfill. The trend in waste tonnage being processed through the Resource Recovery
Area can be seen in the below chart – which shows that the volumes are now more than double the
original throughput, despite an increased waste diversion rate across the site. This observation
reinforces the need for a reassessment of our waste management infrastructure to accommodate
the increasing demands of our growing community. Despite the shift towards increased recycling
practices, the annual influx of 1.8 million tourists to Noosa and the significant population growth of
the region - this Resource Recovery Area has not undergone any expansion since its construction
in 2008.




2. Resource Recovery Area Expansion

In conjunction with the region’s growth and the site’s deferral practices, Council’s Waste Branch has
been planning for the expansion of the Resource Recovery Area for a number of years and the
capital expenditure for the high-efficiency sediment basin was approved by Council in 2020. To
manage identified risks and continue to meet the community’s needs, a development application has
been submitted for the expansion of the Resource Recovery Area into an adjacent vegetated land
parcel. This land, approximately 1 hectare in size (representing 0.3% of the original Lot 77), falls
within the Community Infrastructure Zone which historically was designated and planned for landfill
use.

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                      11 DECEMBER 2023



Figure 5, Area of Land Being Considered for Immediate Resource Recovery Area Expansion




The key outcomes of this expansion will include:
   •   New high-efficiency sediment basin with increased capacity for dirty water management.
   •   Industry leading design combining high-efficiency sediment & bio basin (floating wetland) to
       optimise space and maximise output water quality.
   •   Improved flood resistance (overtopping protection).
   •   Increased operational space and optimised configuration for improved waste deferral
       processes such as:
           1. Improvements to green waste processing.
           2. Stockpile management.
           3. Concrete crushing processing and location.
3. Key Considerations
   •   There is no other land within Lot 77 that can be used for this purpose, given the location of
       the existing infrastructure and the topographical requirements of the high-efficiency sediment
       basin.
   •   The land required for the Resource Recovery Area expansion is approximately 1 hectare,
       the loss of this vegetation will be offset elsewhere on the site comprising approximately 1.8ha
       - nearly double the size of the subject land.
   •   Following the 2022 storm event, the capacity of the existing retention basin was exceeded,
       noting the extremity of the rain event. Council has worked with Department of Environment
       and Science (DES) to commit to an improvement program regarding pollution management
       at the site to mitigate future risk and ensure compliance with the Environmental Authority
       (EA).
4. Next steps

Council has externally lodged a development application for the expansion of the Resource
Recovery Area. A specific issue for consideration is the clearing of vegetation required for the
construction of a new high-efficiency sediment basin which is being independently assessed. The
planning report associated with the development application is expected to be presented to Council
for decision in early 2024.

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                              11 DECEMBER 2023



Assuming approval is received, the next step would be the final design of the high-efficiency
sediment basin, followed by the construction phase planned for Winter 2024 (dry season) to minimise
environmental risk.
Link to Corporate Plan

Theme No. 3. - Prosperity
Focus areas include economic development, local business, innovation, arts and culture, waste and
a circular economy.

Objective 3.7
Deliver the waste program focused on accelerating actions and solutions including circular economy
opportunities to cut waste and pollution, keep prodcuts and materials in use and regenerate natural
systems.


Previous Council Consideration
Nil
Finance
There are no financial implications associated with this report. The works forecast in the report are
part of the approved capital works program and forecast.
Risk & Opportunities
Risks associated with not expanding the Resource Recovery Area include:
       •   Safety – limited ability to eliminate interactions between heavy machinery and the general
           public which may result in significant injury or damage to property.
       •   Environmental – risk of overloading the HES basin beyond its design capacity, causing the
           release of high sediment water into the surrounding environment. Current infrastructure lacks
           the ability to handle major rainfall events.
       •   Fire – inability to adequately isolate mulch stockpiles from adjacent to bushland. Mulch
           stockpiles are prone to self-combustion and increase the risk of bushfires.
       •   Diversion capability - without additional land to increase the Resource Recovery Area, the
           existing landfill operation will continue to be restricted, impacting the ability to divert waste to
           the detriment of the environment and the Noosa community more generally.
       •   Future Proofing – the current location of the high-efficiency sediment basin is situated in the
           middle of the operations area, where it doesn’t adequately support adjacent activities.
           Retraining the existing basin restricts the site’s ability for additional waste diversion activities
           and the introduction of new waste infrastructure as part of the site masterplan.
       •   Community – the State Government’s DES has the ability to shut down the site if
           environmental risks are not adequately managed. This could mean the loss of the EA for
           operating the site and may result in a site closure. The implications of a site closure would
           be significant to the Noosa Shire in both cost and inconvenience.


Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Nil.
Internal Consultation

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                        11 DECEMBER 2023


Departments consulted:

     Office of the CEO, Mayor &         Community Services               Corporate Services
             Councillors
        Mayor & Councillors             Director                         Director
        Chief Executive Officer         Community Development            Financial Services
        Executive Officers              Sport & Active Lifestyles        Fleet
        Community Engagement            Arts & Culture                   Revenue Services
 X      People & Culture                Community Connection             ICT
        Governance                      Customer Experience              Procurement

                                                                         Commercial Property

      Strategy & Environment          Development & Regulation          Infrastructure Services
        Director                        Director                    X    Director
        Strategic Land Use Planning     Development Assessment      X    Infrastructure      Planning,
                                                                         Design and Delivery
        Economic Development &          Local Laws                       Civil and Asset operations
        Destination Management
        Environmental Services          Environmental Health        X    Waste
        Innovation & Digital Hub        Building & Plumbing              Building & Facilities
                                        Property / Permits               Disaster Management