Council makes full use of Waste and Recycling Budget

Published on 15 July 2015

An innovative landfill option; improvements to waste disposal and collection; and the commencement of the newly constructed Waste Transfer Station are just some of the projects on the cards for Rockhampton Regional Council this financial year.

The newly adopted 2015-16 Budget includes capital funding and an operational expenditure of $15.6 million for Waste and Recycling. 

Chair of Council’s Business Enterprise Committee, Councillor Neil Fisher said the budget brings a number of major projects, each with positive results.  

“We definitely have some big projects in this budget,” Cr Fisher said.  

“The capital expenditure includes $1.4million for capping of the Lakes Creek Road Landfill, and this will ensure we don’t have another situation like Kershaw Gardens,” he said.

Other highlights include works toward the Region’s future waste disposal.

“We will also be working toward the continued use of the Lakes Creek Road Landfill site, and begin early stages of the Piggy Back Option,” Cr Fisher said.

“This option was chosen earlier this year and will build on top of existing capped landfill at the site.

“It’s a fairly new and very exciting concept and will mean an extended life for the current landfill site in excess of 20 years.”

Cr Fisher said another big ticket item of the budget will be commencing the operation of the Waste Transfer Station located at Lakes Creek Road.

There will also be refinement to waste collection and disposal throughout the Region as Council massage the collection routes for greater efficiencies.

“We will be implementing changes to our Waste Infrastructure to bring positive changes to targeted Roadside Bin Stations and maintain these vital services for our rural community,” Cr Fisher said.

“We really want to focus on improving our disposal and collection options for the community, particularly those bin stations which have been facing issues of misuse or overuse.”