RESOURCE RECOVERY AREA EXPANSION · Report

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