2017-03-07 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   7 MARCH 2017


4.   SYSTEMS & PROCESSES
Environmental
The first 12 months of water quality monitoring has now been completed under the Eumundi
Road Landfill’s Receiving Environment Monitoring Program. The monitoring didn’t identify any
water quality results that constitute reportable environmental impacts.
All surface water runoff from the landfill drains to a point located in the ephemeral creek within
bushland, off Old Hollett Road. Water quality at this location is required to be monitored
seasonally when water is flowing off the site. A flow meter connected to the SCADA system was
installed at this point so that Waste officers are notified when the flow rate is high enough to
warrant testing. This will save on staff call out time and ensure an expedient response to
discharges off the site.
A data logger has also been connected to the outlet point of the High Efficiency Sediment (HES)
Basin. This will allow for the turbidity of water to be continually monitored during overflow events
as required by the environmental licence conditions. This will ensure that monitoring conditions
are continuously met, even on the occasion that officers or consultants are unable to attend site.
The dosing system that delivers flocculants in the HES basin requires upgrading and quotes are
being obtained to conduct the work. The evaluation process will ensure that any proposed work
is suitable to treat the specific soil types and contaminants entering HES basin. Waste officers
intend to deliver the upgrade in the 2016/2017 financial year.
In mid-2016 air quality monitoring identified a continuation of excessive methane releases from
the cap of the recently filled Cell 2.1. It was concluded that the intermediate capping was
insufficient and presented an unacceptable environmental risk if left unmanaged. Waste officers
took steps to ensure that Cleanaway arranged for the intermediate capping to be replaced as
soon as practicable. Gas monitoring undertaken on 13 January 2017 after completion of the
capping replacement, did not identify any methane gas concentrations in excess of 65pmm,
which is well below the licence limit of 500ppm. As described above, the methane collection
network was also upgraded and expanded at this time and officers now expect a vast
improvement in methane collection.
In mid 2016 the Landfill Environment Management Plan, which was previously part of the
Sunshine Coast Regional Council Landfill Management strategy, was amended and refined to be
specific to Noosa Landfill operations. The amended Landfill Environment Management Plan was
incorporated into the new waste contract.

5.   FUTURE DIRECTION
Garden waste bin introduction
The Manager of Waste and Environmental Health is currently drafting a Policy for the introduction
of garden waste bins into urban areas. This Policy will be submitted for Council review in a
separate report. A comprehensive communication plan has also been drafted to support the
introduction process and will be implemented over the next six month period.
Diversion of saleable items at Eumundi Road Resource Recovery Centre
The current licence to occupy the area currently leased to Briteside Industries at Eumundi Road
RRC for the diversion of saleable items expires in August 2017. The Waste Section is currently
consulting with Council on a preferred model for this service from September 2017. It is
anticipated that a separate report will be submitted to Council on this matter next month.
Mobilisation of the new contract
The next six months will see Waste Officers working and liaising closely with Cleanaway staff on
the mobilisation of the new Waste Contract prior to activation on 1 September 2017. This will
involve upgrades to Eumundi Road RRC, commissioning of new plant and equipment and the roll
out of a new fleet of collection vehicles. The new contract will also see the significant extension
of the current garden waste bin collection service. Every effort will be made to ensure a smooth
transition.
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