New waste disposal option gives longer life to landfill
Published on 03 June 2015
An innovative option for waste disposal is set to bring a new lease of life to the Lakes Creek Road Landfill.
Today the Rockhampton Regional Council’s Business Enterprise Committee agreed unanimously to recommend to the Council to “piggy back” on the Lakes Creek Road site and see more than 20 years added to its lifespan.
The decision was made in aim of providing continued waste disposal to the community in preparation for the current site’s expiry in late 2016.
Following its closure, the piggy back option will allow building on top of existing capped landfill at the Lakes Creek Site. A total of four landfill cells will be added to the site over a period of time, with the first being able to accept around 180,000 cubic metres.
Chair of Council’s Business Enterprise Committee, Councillor Neil Fisher said it’s an option which sees multiple benefits.
“The piggy back option is a fairly new and exciting concept. It’s coming into consideration now and only in the last few years has become a viable option,” Cr Fisher said.
“It’s a smart option. Some of the areas we need to look at are ways of better utilising what we already have and the piggy back option does exactly that.”
Councillor Fisher said further benefits are added with the future use of the Waste Transfer Station currently being constructed at the site.
“If the waste is further compacted, it means more space and therefore a longer life for the landfill site,” he said.
“The use of the waste transfer station will assist in achieving further compaction before being transferred to the cell, and ultimately extend the life of the new piggy back cells.
“It will also provide the community a safer drop off option, rather than going to the face of the site.”
The piggy back option is one of two that Council has been extensively investigating for the past 18 months, with the second option being a collaboration with Gladstone Regional Council.
“We were strongly considering working with Gladstone Regional Council to transport the waste to their Benaraby landfill. In the end though, the piggy back option was the most cost effective choice,” Cr Fisher said.
Despite the decision, Cr Fisher said the investigation established a strong relationship between both Councils.
“I have nothing but praise in regards to how both Councils have worked together to investigate the options,” he said.
Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said Council is still looking to collaborative options for the future.
“For a longer term solution we will still need to collaborate with Councils across the Region. Twenty years isn’t long in this game and I would like to see us seriously look at working with Gladstone in the future.”
In the meantime, Mayor Strelow said the piggy back option is one to be congratulated.
“Reaching a decision has been a long and difficult journey. The piggy back option has been a game changer. I would like to congratulate those involved for seeing this option and seeing the viability around it,” she said.
Key facts:
- The piggy back option is going to extend the life of the Lakes Creek Landfill
- Compaction rate will be significantly improved
- The site will work dually with the Waste Transfer Station and provide a safer option for community drop off.