Upper Lachlan Shire Council is undertaking a $3 million project to upgrade the Crookwell Landfill to extend the life of the tip and ensure it is compliant with new NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) guidelines.
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Upper Lachlan Shire Council’s General Manager John Bell said the project is being undertaken in consultation with the community, EPA and with the engagement of landfill design specialist GHD.
“In 2015 Council engaged GHD to undertake a feasibility study for the upgrade of the facility. The GHD Crookwell Landfill Feasibility Study June 2015 concluded $3 million would be required to bring the facility up to the EPA standard and ensure the landfill has the capacity to provide for the waste needs of the Upper Lachlan into the future. Council allocated funds in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 accordingly,” Mr Bell said.
“In 2016 Council extended GHD’s engagement to provide detailed design options for the facility, in-line with the EPA guidelines. GHD have now developed two alternative options.
“Option A provides a footprint encompassing two parcels of crown land adjoining the existing landfill site. This option is dependent on the crown land being available to Council. Council met with representatives from the NSW Department of Lands on Wednesday, 29 November 2017 to pursue this option and were advised that a decision would be made in due course.
“Option B provides a footprint within the parcel of land currently owned by Council – it is an alternative should the crown land not be available.
“Both options provide designs fully compliant with the NSW EPA’s requirements.
“Council is currently awaiting formal confirmation from the NSW Department of Lands regarding the availability of the crown land in order to confirm our available options. Adjoining land holders and affected authorities will be considered in the Department’s determination.”
Council will require the EPA’s endorsement of the final design plans in order to proceed to the construction stage. Council is continuing to liaise with the NSW Department of Lands and the EPA and is anticipating completion of the design process by the end of 2017. Construction activities for the upgraded facility are expected to be undertaken during 2018 and 2019.
In the meantime, Council has increased resources at the Crookwell Landfill to improve compliance with Environmental Guidelines from the EPA. Increased covering of the waste has reduced windblown litter and will help minimise the generation of leachate. The site’s environmental performance continues to be monitored by a network of groundwater bores in conjunction with EPA licencing requirements. Council appreciates community efforts in assisting site staff in maintaining a tidy and effective facility.
Documents relating to this project are available on Councils website: www.upperlachlan.nsw.gov.au/crookwell-landfill-upgrade. Further progress reports will be published on Council’s website as they become available.
For further information, or to provide feedback on the project, please contact Council’s Manager of Operations, Luke Moloney, on 4830 1015.
Feedback will be received until 12 noon on Friday December 22, 2017.
