6 July, 2022
Go dump your thoughts
As you may have seen show up in your letterbox, Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is encouraging residents to offer their views on the concept design of an upgraded waste management facility at Greenmount.
TRC Water and Waste Committee portfolio leader Cr Nancy Sommerfield said upgraded waste transfer facilities offered a cleaner, neater and tidier waste solution.
“The Greenmount upgrade will see the construction of our Region’s second Tier Two waste management facility,”
Cr Sommerfield said.
“The new facility will be built on the site of the existing landfill and designed as a smaller version of the Region’s state-of-the-art flagship, the Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility.
“Transfer facilities reduce the need for regional landfills, ensuring better environmental outcomes for the community.
“The new design allows waste to be stored on hardstand pavement, and transported off-site, helping us to recover and re-use more of our waste products.”
Cr Sommerfield said Council was planning for the long-term management of waste through its Waste Infrastructure Plan.
“Council has 23 waste management facilities across the Region, which is the highest number of any local government in Queensland. Many of these facilities are in smaller, populated regional communities,” Cr Sommerfield said.
“Some of our older regional landfills are reaching capacity and are not able to be upgraded due to the sites being unsuitable for future development.
“As a result, Council will replace some sites with new, modern waste transfer facilities that are convenient for each community.
“As part of our integrated waste management network, our facilities will serve 85 per cent of the Toowoomba Region’s population, ensuring that 98 per cent of residents live within a 20-minute drive from a waste management facility.”
These guidelines mean the Greenmount facility will service residents at Cambooya, Wyreema, Vale View, Ramsay, Top Camp, Hodgson Vale and some of the southern parts of Toowoomba.
The Clifton facility will continue operating as it does now, with Council installing a weighbridge at this facility during the coming financial year. This is in accordance with State Government requirements for landfills.
Under Council’s endorsed Waste Infrastructure Plan, Clifton will continue operating as a landfill for the foreseeable future.
TRC is working to transition in line with the State Government targets for 90 per cent of waste being re-used and diverted from landfill by 2050.
Council has allocated $3 million to start the Greenmount Waste Management Facility in the 2022/23 Budget.
Cr Sommerfield said Council would like to hear the community’s comments and feedback about the new facility.
“Make haste and don’t waste the opportunity to have your say on the new Greenmount Waste Management Facility,” she said.
Greenmount Waste Facility, on Falknau Road at East Greenmount is open from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday every day of the year besides Good Friday and Christmas Day.
In addition to the Greenmount and Clifton facilities, there is also the Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility at Wellcamp and Pittsworth Waste Management Facility.
Community feedback on the new design is open until 5pm on Monday, July 25, 2022 via Council’s Your Say page.
To have your say visit here or contact Council on 131 872 quoting ‘Greenmount Waste Facility.’
