News Alert |

Ballarat City Council has extended its Heads of Agreement with Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad to complete further due diligence studies associated with a feasibility study for a Waste to Energy facility. 

The Heads of Agreement has been extended until the 21 May 2019, with MRCB then due to report back to Council. 

During the initial 120 day agreement (August to December 2018) MRCB completed a financial feasibility study which provided a high level view on investment principles and a proposed way forward at the Ballarat West Employment Zone. 

It was identified in December 2018 that an extension (the first) into the new year was needed to brief Council and to accommodate the Christmas break. Post Councillor briefing it was determined that both the City of Ballarat and MRCB needed more time to complete due diligence assessments before a decision could be reached. 

A further extension (the second extension) has been approved that will allow for full and proper assessment of the proposal. 

Council is taking the appropriate time to fully understand the risks, long term costs and opportunities of the $300- $400 million proposal. Anything less would not be in the best interests of the community. Council is committed to providing as much information as possible within the confines of probity to ensure the community are kept abreast as things progress. 

Waste to Energy background

The City of Ballarat has to reduce its landfill burden, with the current Smythesdale regional landfill expected to reach capacity in 2043.

Existing Ballarat businesses have also identified energy supply security and cost as one of their most pressing growth barriers.

Council’s planning at the Ballarat West Employment Zone provides for a large-scale alternative energy facility which will provide Ballarat with a competitive edge over any other Victorian municipalities as a long-term, large-scale manufacturing base.

It is expected a Waste to Energy plant will divert 60 per cent of the city’s waste into energy, reduce carbon emissions, avoid landfill environmental impacts and treat waste as a valuable resource, not a liability.

The facility would also provide a long-term solution to waste management in the Grampians Central West district and potentially western metropolitan councils.