Ipswich City Council is investing $70 million dollars this financial year in improving Resource Recovery Centres, stating that the new proposed Western Resource Recovery Centre will be a far cry from the historical tip.
Community consultation on the Western Resource Recovery Centre site closed on August 14, and Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said a major focus will be on upgrading existing facilities.
“Focus is aimed on undertaking planning for the delivery of fit-for-purpose facilities in high-growth areas to meet the needs of our growing community and to recover more resources whilst reducing waste to landfill,” she said.
“The new Rosewood centre will not be like an old-style smelly tip or open landfill, as the role of resource and recovery centres is to recover, sort, transfer and recycle materials from household waste efficiently and cleanly.
“Resource recovery centres do not operate material processing machinery that generate significant smell and no materials are stored on site long term as they are transported off site as soon as possible.
“Materials not recoverable are transported off site daily for appropriate processing.”
During the community consultation process, subjects such as size and planning requirements were discussed.
Division 4 Councillor and Deputy Mayor Russell Milligan said that the overall size of the proposed centre is yet to be determined, though the location must have a land size of at least 30,000m2.
“It is critical that a potential site has good road access, proximity to major roads to support effective transportation, or is close to major roads or a highway with suitable all-weather access,” he said.
“During a community consultation that was conducted in 2019, Ipswich residents expressed a preference for the commute to be less than a 10-minute drive to their local resource recovery centre, so the centre must be within a reasonable distance for local communities to travel.
“Planning requirements, topography, hydrology, environment and cultural heritage must also be taken into consideration when selecting a site, as well as the feasibility for council to either purchase or redevelop the location.”
Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann added that the new centre will be a far cry from the historical tip, which is known to be smelly, dusty and noisy.
“A resource recovery centre focuses on recycling and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill at another location,” she said.
“The community consultation on the proposed new centre is now closed and submissions made before this time will be reviewed, before progressing to the next steps.
“Once a site for the future centre has been selected, council will begin planning a concept design and engage further with the community on proposed design elements.
“Council will also need to seek approval from the environmental authority to operate on the site and must follow all legislative requirements in developing the new centre.”
