Routine works at the Nerriga Landfill site have identified that the extended wet conditions are causing ingress of groundwater into the existing landfill. The existing landfill is unlined and there is no barrier to groundwater entering the waste. As such, groundwater is collecting within the landfilled waste and migrating into the open landfill trench.
It is a legislative requirement to periodically cover waste as it is deposited in the landfill. To cover this waste, or to cut new landfill trenches, it is necessary to remove groundwater to enable safe excavation. In addition, it is a legislative requirement to prevent the release of contaminated groundwater (known as leachate) from the site and there is no suitable location to collect the groundwater on-site and store it until it evaporates.
The only option to remove leachate is to pump the leachate into a liquid waste tanker and transport it for treatment. There are no viable liquid trade waste facilities nearby and it would need to be taken to the Greater Sydney region for treatment. In addition, the liquid waste would be expensive to treat. Transport costs would also be incurred. These costs would recur approximately every 6 to 8 weeks and costs would eventually need to be passed onto ratepayers.
For the reasons outlined above, continued landfilling of waste at the Nerriga Landfill is not feasible. To ensure that Council reduces the likelihood of environmental pollution and does not expose ratepayers to costs associated with environmental enforcement actions by third parties such as the EPA, several interim measures will shortly be implemented.
As an interim arrangement, the following site changes will occur as soon as is practicable to do so:
- Landfill activities will cease for all wastes and the landfill area fenced off
- Several hook-lift skip bins will be placed on site for the disposal of large/heavy residual waste.
- Lighter residual waste and all commingled recyclables will still be placed in the mobile garbage bins currently on-site
- Residents will be directed to place waste materials in the appropriate location
- Hook-lift bins will be collected and transported to the Bungendore Resource Recovery Facility for transfer to the Woodlawn landfill or directly to Woodlawn. Existing arrangements for the mobile garbage bins will continue.
- Existing landfill trenches will be monitored and, once the groundwater has evaporated, covered in accordance with our legislative requirements.
These changes will be implemented as soon practicable.
Fees and charges will not be implemented until a new facility is constructed. Once a new facility is constructed, fees and charges will be implemented to provide consistency across the LGA. Increased costs will be covered from existing waste funds.
The landfill is near the end of its life and the QPRC Waste Strategy contains actions and funding to progress a replacement facility and close and rehabilitate the existing landfill. It is expected that consultation with the community about a future facility will be undertaken following a workshop with Councillors scheduled for 2 March 2022 on this matter. Rehabilitation of the landfill will address the groundwater issue.
