Council to consider closing resource recycling platform at Katoomba

Blue Mountains City Council will consider permanently closing the resource recycling platform at the Katoomba Resource Recovery & Waste Management Facility, following the discovery of suspected Asbestos Containing Material (ACM).

The platform has been closed since December 2017 and more than $4 million spent on extensive remediation at the site, to date.

Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: “Millions has been spent on this platform. Asbestos was found nearly two years ago, that had been brought to the facility by members of the public. If pieces are still to be found there, after spending so much money, I am concerned. Health and safety are paramount.

“I am inclined to close the platform permanently and I am looking for advice about that.”

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill and Council CEO Dr Rosemary Dillon will take the item to the next Council Meeting, on 27 August.  

“As the facility has been closed for 18 months, with minimal service disruption, we will be asking Council to consider closing the resource recovery platform following the latest find,” Cr Greenhill said.

“We will also ask Council to undertake the actions required to finalise the closure plan for the old landfill site.”

Council’s Asbestos Response Team conducted a routine inspection and found the suspected ACM. Council has engaged a licensed asbestos assessing company to provide further advice and recommendations.

Council has continued to undertake periodic proactive inspections of the facility, while conducting extensive remediation at the site, since December 2017.

The small vehicle drop off area and Community Recycling Centre (CRC) at the Katoomba facility are operating as usual, and will continue to do so.