FAQs
Why is a Master Plan needed?
The purpose of the masterplan is to guide the future plans at Tweed Resource Recovery and Landfill Centre site. It will meet the needs of the community’s current and future landfill, waste recovery as well as environmental and regulation requirements.
Waste placed in landfill costs the community and the environment. With most of Tweed residents living within a 20-30 min radius of Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre, waste needs to have the least impact on the Tweed environment as possible.
On 22 March 2018 Tweed Shire Council resolved to adopt a Towards Zero Waste target across the Tweed. This includes the management of landfilling and recovering waste.
What does Towards Zero Waste target mean?
Towards Zero Waste goes beyond recycling and focuses on reducing as much waste as possible, getting as close to zero materials being sent to landfill as possible.
It also means committing to make the most out of each opportunity to avoid, reuse, repair, recycle and recover and avoid wasteful or toxic products and practices.
It is recognised that Towards Zero Waste means that some waste cannot be saved from going to landfill or reused, but the amount going to landfill is reduced to the minimum.
Best practice is diverting 90 per cent of waste from landfill.
How will the Master Plan affect me, as a resident?
The Tweed Resource Recovery and Landfill Centre will be upgraded over the next five years to improve services.
During the time that these upgrades are taking place, the site will remain open and operational. As much as possible the impacts of the various elements will be contained to minimise any potential impacts on customers or operations.
There will be some changes on site such as where to drop off items however Council will ensure all customers are well informed through signage and the weighbridge staff will direct customers to where they need to go.
Will I still have access to the Tip Shop?
The tip shop will remain as operational as possible throughout the changes.
Council has plans to continue to improve the tip shop. At some point, this may mean that the tip shop is open for fewer days each week but that the type, quantity of material or surrounding site is improved.
When any change is proposed Council will ensure the message is clearly communicated to all patrons.
What is being done to minimise smells, noise, litter and dust?
As per the Council licence, landfill waste will be covered with soil to minimise odours. There will be twice daily odour inspections, annual surface emissions testing and quarterly gas migration testing.
Litter is picked up daily up on-site and there will be routine litter inspections to keep adjacent public roads clear of litter.
A water truck will be used to control dust on paved and unpaved roadways with the truck operating several times a day during dry periods.
Council will also try to ensure any area that is likely to be exposed for any length of time is grassed and maintained. Natural barriers and other site features will be created to provide visual and noise attenuation barriers between the landfill and site neighbours.
What is this going to cost residents?
Council has received $1.2 million in funding for the Food and Organics Processing Facility through the EPA’s Waste Less Recycle More Grants funded by the waste levy. Council will continuously seek additional funding from the State Government if and when it is available.
Estimated cost is $40 million dollars for projects that will be staggered over 5-7 years.
The landfill and waste management charge on rates covers the cost of landfill operations and past, current and future landfills to minimise environmental impact.
The more the site is set up for recovering, recycling and reuse - the easier it is for residents and the less there is going to landfill.