Long-term Waste Infrastructure Plan for Toowoomba Region

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is planning for the long-term management of waste with new facilities being delivered throughout the region.

Currently the Toowoomba Region has a population of 165,000 and this figure is expected to grow to 205,000 by 2036.

TRC Water and Waste Committee Chair Cr Nancy Sommerfield said that it is vital Council is able to provide key infrastructure projects to meet both the current needs of the community and provide for future growth.

“Council has 23 Waste Management Facilities throughout the region, which is the highest number of any local government in Queensland. The majority of these facilities are located in smaller populated regional communities,” Cr Sommerfield said.

“In 2015/2016 more than 71,000 tonnes of waste was buried at our landfills and, with a growing population, there will be an increase in waste generation meaning that it is important to look at long-term options including waste stream education and innovative design.

“In delivering the Waste Infrastructure Plan, Council has already opened four new waste management facilities, including the award winning Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility at O’Mara Road, Wellcamp, which is the model for all future facilities.

“A number 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 to each community.

“When selecting new sites, Council will consider factors that ensure the sites meet the needs of the wider community and all sites must meet a minimum requirement of a 25 to 50 year lifespan, Cr Sommerfield said.

“Feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly supportive of Council taking a long-term approach and considering the future growth of the region in siting and developing new waste management infrastructure facilities.

“As a region, our communities want to reduce the amount of waste going into landfill , and Council appreciates the support of the community in increasing the level of diversion from landfill at the new Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility to over 70%, up from around 30% at the older style Bedford St facility.

“The current priority for Council is to construct new waste transfer facilities that cater for the Toowoomba Regions’ Northern and Southern Growth Corridors. These facilities will be located on existing Council-owned land located at 228 Kleinton School Road, Kleinton and 379 Love Road, Wyreema.

“The Wyreema site at 379 Love Road that runs down to Frank Road was previously a sewage treatment plant and it will replace the existing Greenmount landfill.

“These sites have been selected strategically due to their location and the overall level of service they can provide to residents in the region.

“As part of our integrated waste management network, these new facilities and the Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility will serve 85% of the Toowoomba Region’s population ensuring that 98% of residents live within a 20 minute drive from a waste management facility.”

For further enquiries about the facilities, either visit Council’s website www.tr.qld.gov.au, contact Council on 131 872 or email [email protected]