New waste facilities taking shape

Maranoa residents will be aware that over the last 12 months changes have been taking place at our region’s waste facilities.

The implementation of the Queensland Waste Levy which was designed to reduce landfill waste and encourage recycling required changes to the way we operate these facilities.

The levy system requires Council to accurately track and report the volume of waste deposited in our facilities.

The biggest change this has brought about has been the move from operating some of our facilities as landfills, where waste is buried on site, to transfer stations.

The facilities transitioning to Waste Transfer Stations are:

• Jackson
• Yuleba
• Wallumbilla
• Surat
• Injune

Waste Transfer Stations provide residents with a location close to them to dispose of their waste items, which is measured on site and then transferred to Roma for recovery or landfill.

Significant works have been undertaken at each of these five sites, with the new waste bays now installed, and most of the construction works completed. 

Each of these sites now has a ramp to make it easier to unload general waste into bins. Bins are being used to ensure waste can measured as is required by the State Government’s Waste levy. Driver Control Stations incorporating Cameras and licence plate recognition will soon be installed, in order to manage regulated waste billing, and to combat illegal dumping.

Additionally, each facility has designated areas for steel/metal waste, bulky items and green waste. These areas are signed to direct residents to the correct area.

Mitchell will remain as a landfill site, and in order to facilitate this, a weighbridge is currently being constructed, which will allow Council to monitor and measure waste volumes. Works are planned to be completed at Mitchell by mid-late April.

Portfolio Spokesperson for Environment and Waste, Cr Jane Vincent said Council appreciated residents’ patience during the disruption the works have caused.

“To ensure that we comply with State Government waste legislation, we have had to make significant changes to the way our local facilities operate,” she said.

“It’s been a lengthy process and we appreciate the community’s patience as the work has been done, and the changes have been implemented.

“Each facility will have a slightly different process and full details about each site will be posted to Council’s website.”

Residents can learn more about their local waste facility here: www.maranoa.qld.gov.au/waste-facilities