RESIDENTS are encouraged to make a submission on suitable site criteria and potential locations for the proposed Western Resource Recovery Centre.
Currently, the Rosewood Recycling and Refuse Centre, is operating above capacity.
The Refuse Centre dates back 30 years and cannot cater to the anticipated future population growth along the Rosewood corridor.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said a new centre is desperately needed to replace the existing facility.
“The community will play a critical role in determining suitable locations for the site,” she said.
“The Rosewood community made it clear last year that they wanted to have a say in where the proposed Western Resource Recovery Centre should be located and now is the time to bring those ideas forward,” she said.
“The existing refuse centre in Rosewood is operating well above capacity and should have been replaced many years ago.
“We know a new facility needs to be located somewhere in the Rosewood, Thagoona and Walloon corridor, and I am excited to work closely with local residents, to hear their ideas for suitable locations and site criteria, and to continue to work with them at each step of the process.”
Deputy Mayor Russell Milligan said the recent subsidence issues at the Rosewood centre were a stark reminder of the need for a new facility.
“The Rosewood community deserves a new and fit for purpose centre and planning for a new facility is long overdue,” he said.
“The current subsidence issues at the Rosewood Recycling and Refuse Centre were a timely reminder this facility has been stretched well beyond its capacity.
“I made a commitment to local residents that we would seek their views ahead of any decision being made on a potential site for the new facility, and we are now delivering on that promise.”
Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann added that there were some necessary criteria that needed to be considered under legislation.
“There are some important criteria that we need to adhere to such as land area size, buffer distances and planning requirements, but we know there are others that the community is passionate about.
“This is the opportunity for local residents to come forward and shape the delivery of their future Western Resource Recovery Centre.
“The community will have the first say and then their ideas and feedback will guide the technical work to propose a list of suitable sites, we are also keen to share these findings with the community before deciding on the next steps.”
Residents can have their say through the Shape Your Ipswich website from July 17 to August 14 on where a new refuse and recycling centre should be developed.
