GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST WASTE AND RESOURCE … · Yarriambiack Tip Treasure Hunt 44 4.2.3 Materials Recovery Facilities 45 ... Maps 118 Appendix Eight – Collaboration Process and

GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST WASTE AND RESOURCE

RECOVERY GROUPIMPLEMENTATION PLANCONSULTATION DRAFT

GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST

WASTE & RESOURCE RECOVERY GROUP 2

Grampians Central West Regional Implementation Plan

© Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Victoria 2016

Authorised and Published by the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group (GCW WRRG)

5 East Street North

Bakery Hill VIC 3350

You are free to copy, distribute and adapt the work, as long as you attribute the work to Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group

Disclaimer

This publication is for general information purposes only. The State of Victoria does not guarantee that this publication is comprehensive, without flaw or appropriate for your needs. You should make your own inquiries or seek independent professional advice before relying on anything in this publication. The State of Victoria disclaims all liability for any error, loss or damage that may arise as a result of you relying on anything contained in this publication.

Accessibility

If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format, such as large print, telephone the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group on (03) 5333 7770

Conflicts of interest

Potential conflicts of interest of the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Board have been considered and managed throughout the development and adoption of this publication.

3 REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN - CONSULTATION DRAFT

CONTENTS

PAGE

CONTENTS 3

List of Figures 5

List of Tables 6

Foreword from the Chair 7

Executive Summary 8

ONE – INTRODUCTION 10

1.1 Purpose 11

1.2 The Victorian Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Planning Framework 11

1.3 Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group 11

1.4 How this Regional Implementation Plan Consultation Draft has been developed 12

1.5 How to get involved 12

TWO – ACTIONS TO ACHIEVE REGIONAL AND STATEWIDE OBJECTIVES 14

2.1 Goals, Priority Actions and Action Plan 15

2.1.1 Priority Actions for Grampians Central West 16

2.1.2 Action Plan 17

THREE – THE STATE OF WASTE IN THE GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST REGION 23

3.1 Overview of the Region 24

3.1.1 Regional Demographics 24

3.1.2 Regional Information 25

3.2 Waste Generated and Managed in the Region 26

3.2.1 Material Stream Summary 29

3.2.2 Waste Flows Into and Out of the Region 31

3.3 Future Projections of Waste to be Managed 35

3.4 Litter and Illegal Dumping 35

FOUR – THE WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY SYSTEM IN THE GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST REGION 37

4.1 Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure and Services 38

4.2 Resource Recovery Infrastructure – Strategic Assessment 40

4.2.1 Collection Systems 40

4.2.1.1 Municipal Kerbside Collection 40

4.2.1.2 Commercial Sector Collection 40

4.2.1.3 Hard Waste Collection 41

4.2.2 Resource Recovery Centres / Transfer Stations (RRC / TS) 41

Hepburn Hot Trash 44

Yarriambiack Tip Treasure Hunt 44

4.2.3 Materials Recovery Facilities 45

4.2.4 Reprocessing and Recycling Facilities 49

4.2.4.1 Organics 49

4.2.4.2 Plastics 49

4.2.4.3 Paper and Cardboard 49

Community Resource Recovery and drumMUSTER Campaign 49

4.2.4.4 Aggregates, Masonry and Soil 50

4.2.4.5 E-Waste 50

4.2.4.6 Glass 50

4.2.4.7 Rubber (Tyres) 50



PAGE

4.2.4.8 Metals 51

4.2.4.9 Textiles 51

4.2.5 Energy from Waste 51

Beaufort Hospital Bioenergy Project 52

Kaniva Biodiesel Project 52

Berrybank Farm, Windermere 52

4.2.6 Asbestos 53

4.3 Landfill Infrastructure 53

4.4 Waste and Resource Recovery Hubs 59

4.5 Financial and Environmental Performance of Infrastructure 61

4.6 Land Use Planning and the Transport Network 64

4.6.1 Land Use Planning 64

4.6.2 The Transport Network 66

4.7 Market Sounding (Request for Information) and Infrastructure Scheduling 68

FIVE – RISK AND CONTINGENCY PLANNING 69

5.1 Contingency Planning – Landfill 70

5.2 Risks – Resource Recovery 70

5.3 Contingency Planning – Resource Recovery 71

SIX – INFRASTRUCTURE SCHEDULE 72

Part A – Resource Recovery and Consolidation Infrastructure 73

Part B – Landfill Infrastructure Schedule 80

SEVEN – APPENDICES 92

Appendix One – Abbreviations & Acronyms 93

Appendix Two – References 94

Appendix Three – Data Sources 95

Appendix Four – Legislation and Policy Context 96

Appendix Five – Statewide Environmental and Financial Factors 103

Appendix Six – Infrastructure Scheduling Process 117

Appendix Seven – Maps 118

Appendix Eight – Collaboration Process and Outcomes 127

Appendix Nine – Glossary 129

Appendix Ten – Local Government Snapshots 134

Notes 149


LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO. PAGE

Figure 1 Process for Preparing the Grampians Central West Implementation Plan 13

Figure 2 Strategic Plan for Waste and Resource Recovery in the Region 15

Figure 3 Map of the Grampians Central West Region 24

Figure 4 Resource Flows in Victoria’s Circular Economy 26

Figure 5 Source Sector Projections for Materials Generated and Managed 2015 – 2045 (Business as Usual) 28

Figure 6 Projected Waste Generated and Managed Per Capita by Council Area 2015 – 2045 (Business as Usual) 29

Figure 7 Material Managed in the Region: Recovered and Landfilled Resource Material by Type (2013/2014) 30

Figure 8 Projected Growth of Reprocessed Materials 2015 – 2045 31

Figure 9 Cross Regional Flows of Reprocessed Materials in the Grampians Central West Region 33

Figure 10 Projected Waste and Recovered Resources 2015 – 2045 excluding Cross Regional Flows (Business as Usual)

36

Figure 11 VLAA Best Practice Model for Litter Prevention and Management 36

Figure 12 Landfills Used by Each Council 54



LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO. PAGE

Table 1 Rationale for Priority Actions for Waste and Resource Recovery 16

Table 2 Short-term Actions, Leads, Stakeholders and Timeframes 18

Table 3 Local Government Area Population Projected 2015/2016 – 2030/2031 25

Table 4a Sector Breakdown of Material Generated and Managed in the Region (tonnes) and Recovery Rate 27

Table 4b Sector Breakdown of Material Managed in the Region (tonnes) and Recovery Rate excluding Maddingley Brown Coal (Cross Region Solid Inert Receivables)

27

Table 5 Material Streams Reprocessed (Tonnes) in the Region 2013/2014 30

Table 6 Estimate of Cross Regional Flows of Recovered Materials 2013/2014 34

Table 7 Summary of Major Products Produced from Recovered Materials 34

Table 8 Summary of Operational Infrastructure Types in each Council Area (in 2015/2016) 38

Table 9 Summary of Reprocessing Infrastructure Types in the Region (in 2015) and Associated tonnages and Capacity from 2013/2014

39

Table 10 Council Managed Resource Recovery Facilities 42

Table 11 Number of Council Managed Resource Recovery Centre Facility by Categories 43

Table 12 Materials Recovery Facilities 45

Table 13 Reprocessing or Recycling Facilities 48

Table 14 Operating Landfills in 2015/2016 55

Table 15 Scenarios Modelled for Landfill Projections 55

Table 16 Private (Own Waste) Landfills in the Region 58

Table 17 Waste and Resource Recovery Hubs 60

Table 18 Financial Factors Affecting Performance of Infrastructure 63

Table 19 Strategic Implications for New and Existing Infrastructure 65

Table 20a Infrastructure Scheduling Application Process – Recommended Proposals 68

Table 20b Infrastructure Scheduling Application Process – Recommended Proposals to service the region 68

Table 21 Grampians Central West Implementation Plan Risk Register 71

Table 22 Existing Resource Recovery and Reprocessing Infrastructure 73

Table 23 Future Resource Recovery and Reprocessing Infrastructure 79

Table 24 Existing Landfills 81

Table 25 Landfills and Projected Life 2016 – 2045 83

Table 26 Rehabilitation Status of Closed Landfills 84

Table 27 Explanation of Landfill Rehabilitation Status 91


FOREWORD FROM THE CHAIR

I am pleased to present the consultation draft of the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan (Regional Implementation Plan) for public consultation. The Regional Implementation Plan provides a roadmap to inspire change and shape the region’s waste and recycling infrastructure for the next ten years.

The Regional Implementation Plan has been developed in collaboration with our waste and resource recovery stakeholders in Councils, industry and the community. Importantly, this plan has also recognised the principle of environmental justice, to ensure involvement from the entire community in delivering the optimum waste management outcomes for the Grampians Central West region.

The development of the Regional Implementation Plan has considered and reflects an expectation of our communities to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and to ensure waste and resource recovery facilities provide positive economic, community, environment, public health benefits and ultimately minimise environmental impacts from climate change.

We know that our region still has some challenges to improve the level of resource recovery, recognising that there are materials that can be viably recovered before going to landfill. We are aware that disposing of materials to landfill is a limited solution and while landfill is always likely to be required, easily accessible landfill space is finite. Landfills have social and environmental consequences and need to be well-managed to minimise their impact on the community. The challenge is to get the best outcomes from our waste.

The waste and recycling infrastructure within the region provides the capacity to manage current waste volumes. However, there is a need to improve operational performance, management of closed landfills, economies of scale and, in the end, minimise the costs imposed on the community and businesses.

We recognise that to achieve positive change through acknowledging our responsibility for waste solutions, we will need to work collaboratively with all our stakeholders to help deliver innovative solutions in waste and resource recovery technology, service delivery and engagement.

Through these stakeholder partnerships this plan aims to achieve the following outcomes:

Innovative infrastructure or systems that improve the recovery of materials; New, upgraded and expanded infrastructure that improves aggregation of materials for recovery and utilises

handling and transport and logistics efficiencies across the region; New and existing infrastructure operating to best practice principles or guidelines; and Local and regional data is accessible, up-to-date and linked to the statewide data system to underpin evidence

based decisions.

We thank our Councils, industry and the community stakeholders for their valuable input in developing this consultation draft. We now look forward to receiving feedback to finalise our plan of action and inspiring change for the better waste and resource recovery network across our region.

Cr. Tom Sullivan

Chair, Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Grampians Central West region (region) extends across 12 Council areas in western Victoria, encompassing an area of over 50,000km2, or more than 21% of the area of Victoria. This covers a significant area from the metropolitan boundary to the South Australian border generally surrounding the Western Highway.

The resident population is 252,230 which is projected to increase to over 290,000 over the next 10 Years. Population density varies across the region, with the number of people per km2 ranging from over 130 in Ballarat to less than one in the shires of Hindmarsh, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack.

The region generated and managed approximately 688,000 tonnes of waste in 2013/2014. This is expected to increase by around 14% over the next 10 years to over 756,000 tonnes. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) makes up around 45% of all waste.

The continual escalation in generated and managed waste growth is largely based upon population increases projected to occur over the planning period especially in regional centres and peri-urban municipalities. While the trend at the regional level is for increased waste generation, this is not uniform across all member Councils. Higher rates of population growth in some Council areas are expected to result in different contributions to the regional total.

Modelling suggests that under a business as usual scenario, overall waste managed increases consistently across the next 30 years with resource recovery occurring at a slower rate than landfilling. This rate of change is not consistent with statewide trends identified by Sustainability Victoria (SV), predominantly due to one unique landfill of state significance. Analysis excluding this facility demonstrates the region is performing in a sounder recovery position and recovering over 40% of materials. There remains a dynamic opportunity to increase the recovery of many of the materials currently being landfilled. Currently, in excess of 500,000 tonnes of waste is sent to landfill. A significant amount of material could potentially be recovered from this. This represents a significant value of resources that could be recovered where there is a final viable market.

The recovery rates for material streams such as cardboard, glass, textiles, aggregates, masonry and soils are extremely low across the region. There is potential to improve some of these rates and to significantly increase the recovery of textiles, plastics, wood and timber, and other materials through the promotion of existing services, aggregation and bulking, and work with local industries to develop markets including Energy from Waste.

1 Sustainability Victoria 2015, Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan Victoria 2015 - 44

At present there are only two councils out of 12 across the region that offer a kerbside organics garden waste service, with Ballarat commencing a service in the second half of 2016. Consequently, diversion of organics from landfill is a significant opportunity for the region to reduce material going to landfill.

While there is some data on cross-regional flows of waste disposed to landfill in the regional and recyclables managed outside the region, specific figures on the movement of landfilled waste are not well understood. This presents further opportunities for continuous improvement in resource recovery.

The detailed analysis underpinning the Regional Implementation Plan suggests that due to existing airspace availability, our region will not require additional landfill capacity within the next 10 years. In addition, the strategic objective to reduce waste going to landfill will further reduce unprocessed materials going to landfill, further supporting the analysis that no further landfill airspace is required.

The Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group does not consider that there is a demonstrated need for additional landfill airspace based on the airspace data analysis conducted in 2015/2016; and does not intend to proceed with expressions of interest for landfill in this point in time. This matter is to be reviewed within three to five years. No other Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Groups have advised Grampians Central West of the need for landfill in this region.

This consultation draft of the Regional Implementation Plan has been prepared to help stakeholders, including Councils, industry and the community to participate in planning to meet the waste and recycling needs of the region into the future.

During the development of the Regional Implementation Plan, the Group undertook a market assessment to identify industry’s strategic direction and aspirations for resource recovery and waste management. The Group also consulted with the community, Councils and industry to better understand the issues and challenges in the region and needs of households.

The ideas generated from these activities, together with the direction set in the Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan (State Infrastructure Plan)1, have helped in formulating this consultation draft.


During the period of this plan, together with our stakeholders, the Group will aim to work on nine priority actions including:

1. Assess and, where viable, support the development of solutions and systems to increase the recovery of priority materials;

2. Facilitate the development of regional partnerships to enable efficiencies in resource recovery, materials transport and disposal;

3. Work across all levels of government, industry and investors to explore innovative and technological advancements that could inform future infrastructure development and investment;

4. Work with Councils and industry to upgrade and rationalise infrastructure, improve operations and engage communities;

5. Facilitate work between Councils or industry and the EPA to progress any rehabilitation assessments and requirements for closed landfills;

6. Work with Councils and relevant state planning authorities to site new infrastructure appropriately and protect existing facilities and hubs from encroachment;

7. Contribute to the development and application of a reliable state and regional data system to inform waste and resource recovery decisions;

8. Share information across government on regional infrastructure and market development needs and priorities; and

9. Continue to work with relevant agencies, Councils, industry and schools on waste and resource recovery education and engagement.

These priority actions complement the direction set out in the State Infrastructure Plan1 and, together with the six other Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans (Regional Implementation Plans) being developed statewide, will establish a strategic direction and framework which will inform and encourage waste and resource recovery infrastructure that meets the needs of the Victorian community now and into the future.

INTRODUCTION


1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 PURPOSE

The management of waste and resource recovery in Victoria is an essential service that aims to minimise the impacts on the community and the environment and to protect public health, along with supporting a sustainable resource recovery and recycling system that reduces reliance on landfill.

This consultation draft of the Grampians Central West Implementation Plan has been prepared to assist stakeholders including Councils, industry and the community to participate in planning to meet the waste and recycling needs of the region into the future.

1.2 THE VICTORIAN WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING FRAMEWORK

In 2014 legislative amendments to the Environment Protection Act 1970 (EP Act) established the Victorian Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Planning Framework (the Framework). As amended, the EP Act provides the legislative underpinning for the regional implementation plans.

The Framework, and the regional implementation plans, are primarily governed by the EP Act, but regard has also been given to other relevant legislation in the preparation of this document, as appropriate, including the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic) and the Transport Integration Act 2009 (Vic).

The Framework provides the structure for strategic planning for waste and resource recovery that integrates state, regional and local planning. Its objectives are:

a) to ensure long-term strategic planning for waste and resource recovery infrastructure at state and regional levels;

b) to facilitate the integration of statewide directions for the management of waste and resource recovery infrastructure and regional infrastructure needs;

c) to enable waste and resource recovery planning to be:

i. effectively integrated with land use and development planning and policy; and

ii. effectively integrated with transport planning and policy

d) to ensure SV and the Waste and Resource Recovery Groups (the Groups) work together to integrate the State Infrastructure Plan and regional implementation plans; and

e) to enable waste and resource recovery infrastructure planning decisions at the appropriate level of the Framework.

The Framework provides for the preparation, integration and implementation of the State Infrastructure Plan by SV and seven regional implementation plans. Further legislative and policy context is located in Appendix 4.

Waste is an essential service:

An essential service can be defined as a service that is recognised as a basic right for the community. Any failure to

deliver this service results in risks to the community.

Victoria’s waste and resource recovery system provides the essential services to manage Victoria’s waste. If these streams

are not managed properly they can cause a range of issues including odours, dust, noise, generation of leachate which can contaminate ground water, soil contamination and the

generation of greenhouse gases which impact the community and environment.

Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan, Sustainability Victoria, 2015

1.3 GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY GROUP

The Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group (Group) is a Victorian statutory organisation responsible for facilitating a coordinated approach to the planning and delivery of waste infrastructure and services in the Grampians Central West region in western Victoria. The Group formed on 1 August 2014 and is one of seven in Victoria. The organisation is legislated under the EP Act with the objectives for the Group set out in Section 49G.

The Group works with twelve Councils to facilitate waste and resource recovery infrastructure and services and to enable improved knowledge, collaboration and best value opportunities. The twelve LGAs are mapped in Figure 3 and include:

Ararat Rural City Council

City of Ballarat

Central Goldfields Shire Council

Golden Plains Shire Council

Hepburn Shire Council

Hindmarsh Shire Council

Horsham Rural City Council

Moorabool Shire Council

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Pyrenees Shire Council

West Wimmera Shire Council

Yarriambiack Shire Council

The Group is responsible for planning and facilitating the continual improvement and development of waste and resource recovery facilities and services across the region. Its legislative functions are to plan for future infrastructure needs; facilitate infrastructure development, services and joint procurement contracts; work with and advise SV, LGAs, businesses and communities; support collaborative forums; coordinate and encourage community education and undertake projects funded by government or industry.



1.4 HOW THIS REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN CONSULTATION DRAFT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED

The EP Act2 sets out the full scope and requirements of the Regional Implementation Plan. It must include:

a description and analysis of waste and resource recovery infrastructure the region

a description of how the long-term directions in the State Infrastructure Plan will be implemented to give effect to local and regional infrastructure needs within the waste and resource recovery region

a schedule of existing and required waste and resource recovery infrastructure within the waste and resource recovery region

any matters required by the Ministerial Guideline: Making, amending and integrating the Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan and Regional Implementation Plans.

The waste and material streams managed by the waste and resource recovery system is complex. ‘Waste’ can be categorised as:

solid waste (which is either putrescible or inert)3

prescribed industrial waste (PIW) also known as hazardous waste

other waste (including waste emissions to air and water and liquid [trade] waste).

The Grampians Central West Implementation Plan addresses solid waste only. Whilst the management of PIW and other wastes can intersect with the management of solid waste they are outside its scope.

Figure 1 shows the overall process for preparing the Regional Implementation Plan. Underpinning this approach is an evidence-based analysis and assessment, principles of transparency and fairness, and engagement with stakeholders and the community.

In Stages One to Four, the Group undertook extensive background work to inform this consultation draft, including:

a literature review of recent regional, state and national research;

consideration of the State Infrastructure Plan;

data collection (see Major Data Sources at Appendix 1) and analysis including:

o detailed data collection and surveys from Council staff from the regional reprocessing industry as part of a statewide study4

o meetings with Council senior management, planning, economic development and engineering staff; and

o initial information, liaison and data collection from the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) and Construction and Demolition (C&D) sectors in the region

2 Environmental Protection Act 1970, Section 50BB, page 42 3 Putrescible waste readily decomposes whereas inert waste does not.

a review of Council waste management strategies and plans;

consultation with the Grampians Central West Local Government Waste Forum (convened by the Group) and its Technical Advisory Sub-Committee to understand regional priorities for future waste and resource recovery infrastructure development;

consultation with representatives of Councils, the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) and SV, and waste and resource recovery groups in Victoria about current and future risks to the region’s waste and resource recovery system;

in partnership with the Barwon South West Group, a Market Sounding (Request for Information) and review, together with a resource recovery scheduling process, to engage industry and Councils to understand the waste sector’s capacity and infrastructure investment intentions, challenges, capacity gaps, needs and opportunities and to inform the development of an infrastructure schedule;

analysis of media stories across the region to inform the broader community about the development of the Regional Implementation Plan; and

review of previous local surveys to gauge community aspirations and priorities around waste and resource recovery.

This consultation draft is Stage Six (refer Figure 1) of the Regional Implementation Plan preparation process. Following consultation on this draft, and its integration with the State Infrastructure Plan and all other regional implementation plans, the draft Regional Implementation Plan will be referred to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change for consideration and approval.

1.5 HOW TO GET INVOLVED

A range of opportunities to be involved in the development of the Grampians Central West Implementation Plan will be provided onwards from August 2016. These will include a series of forums with Councils, industry and community.

To find out more about upcoming engagement and submission opportunities go to the Group’s website at www.gcwwrrg.vic.gov.au.

Recognising that many stakeholders and communities are involved in planning, building, operating and using the region’s waste and resource recovery network, the consultation process will continue throughout the delivery of the Regional Implementation Plan.

4 Sustainability Victoria/Sustainable Resource Use (SRU) 2015, Survey and Analysis of Regional Reprocessors and Material Recovery Facility Operators – Consolidated Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Group Report


FIGURE 1. PROCESS FOR PREPARING THE GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Stage 1

• Analysis of current and projected waste generated andmanaged

Stage 2• Analysis of current infrastructure capacity and need

Stage 3• Market sounding for new and expanded infrastructure

Stage 4• Initial community engagement

Stage 5• Develop consultation draft

Stage 6• Broad engagement on Consultation Draft

Stage 7• Final Draft Grampians Central West Implementation Plan

ACTIONS TO ACHIEVE REGIONAL AND

STATEWIDE OBJECTIVES

15 Regional Implementation Plan - Consultation Draft

2. ACTIONS TO ACHIEVE REGIONAL AND STATEWIDE OBJECTIVES 2.1 GOALS, PRIORITY ACTIONS AND ACTION PLAN

The Group has adopted the vision, purpose and goals from the State Infrastructure Plan and developed regional strategic directions, 10-year outcomes and nine priority actions to reflect the specific challenges, needs and opportunities in the region.

Figure 2 represents the relationship between these and the strategic directions, outcomes and priority actions

The Strategic Plan will guide the implementation actions for the region, based on the principles of the EP Act and aligned to the strategic directions of the State Infrastructure Plan. The Priority Actions underpin the activities that the Group will progress over the coming years.

At the heart of the Grampians Central West Implementation Plan is a culture of cooperation between Councils, industry and the state government that focusses on achieving the best outcome for the community in waste and resource recovery.

FIGURE 2. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY IN THE REGION

VISION

The Grampians Central West region has an integrated and efficient waste and resource recovery system that provides an essential community service to protect the community, environment and public health; viably

recover materials from our waste; and minimise costs to residents, industry and government.

PURPOSE To provide strategic direction for the management of waste and resource recovery infrastructure that is able

to cost effectively and efficiently manage the expected mix and volumes of waste.

GOALS What we want to achieve in 30 years

GOAL1: Materials are made available to the

resource recovery market through aggregation and

consolidation of volumes to create viable

economies of scale.

GOAL2: Resource recovery and waste infrastructure,

including landfills, are established and managed over

their lifetime to provide economic, community,

environment and public health benefits and are commercially

flexible.

GOAL3: Reliable information that provides the evidence

base and confidence to plan and invest in new and existing

infrastructure is available.

GOAL4: Diversion rates are optimised so that

Landfills will only be for receiving and treating

residual waste streams from which all materials

that can be viably recovered have been

extracted.

STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS What we will do differently

Establish and optimise a cost effective and adaptable material

recovery infrastructure network and service

solutions through consolidation,

aggregation and transport efficiencies.

Advance the provision and performance of waste and

resource recovery infrastructure service delivery

through innovation and continuous improvement.

Gather reliable data to inform current and future waste and resource recovery planning.

Optimise the diversion of recoverable materials from

landfills and ensure adequate cost effective landfill provision to meet current and future needs.

10-YEAR OUTCOMES What will be different in 10 years

New, upgraded and expanded resource recovery

infrastructure that delivers cost efficiency, increased and prioritised resource recovery and transport /

handling efficiencies.

New and existing infrastructure designed, developed and operating

viably and to best practice principles, standards or guidelines

and meeting community expectations.

An integrated data system established in partnership with local

and state governments and connected to industry.

Infrastructure and associated systems that optimise material recovery and minimise waste

to landfill.

PRIORITY ACTIONS What will happen?

1. Assess and, where viable, support the

development of solutions and systems to increase the

recovery of priority.

2. Facilitate the development of regional partnerships to enable efficiencies in resource

recovery, materials transport and disposal.

3. Work across all levels of government, industry and investors

to explore innovative and technological advancements that could inform future infrastructure

development and investment.

4. Work with councils and industry to upgrade (and rationalise)

infrastructure, improve operations and engage communities.

5. Facilitate work between councils or industry and the EPA to progress any rehabilitation

assessments and requirements for closed landfills.

6. Work with Councils and relevant state planning authorities to site new infrastructure appropriately and protect existing facilities and

hubs from encroachment.

7. Contribute to the development and application of a reliable state

and regional data system to inform waste and resource recovery

decisions.

8. Share information across government on regional

infrastructure and market development needs and priorities.

9. Continue to work with relevant agencies, Councils,

industry and schools on waste and resource recovery

education and engagement.



2.1.1 PRIORITY ACTIONS FOR GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST

TABLE 1. RATIONALE FOR PRIORITY ACTIONS FOR WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY

PRIORITY ACTION WHY IS IT PROPOSED?

1. Assess and, where viable, support the development of solutions and systems to increase the recovery of priority materials

Recovery of the majority of resource materials is lower in the region compared to the state trends. This is evident in areas such as organics, timber, tyres, aggregates, plastics and E-waste, which could be significantly improved:

the region only recovers in the vicinity of 13% of materials through reprocessors.

The majority of Councils at present do not collect kerbside organic garden material and it is currently being landfilled. Organics that are landfilled totals at least 41,000 tonnes

Recovery rates are presently lower for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), C&I and C&D in comparison to statewide trends

Information obtained suggests no textiles or rubber (tyres) were recovered

The glass recovery rate was 0.1% and the plastics recovery rate was 2%.

A number of infrastructure or service gaps that limit recovery have been identified:

There are no operational rubber (tyre) recovery facilities in region; stockpiles being dealt with slowly

There is a significant cost of transport due to the extensive distance across the region.

Growing stockpiles of materials are evident at many facilities

The community expects that materials should be recovered rather than landfilled where possible.

2. Facilitate the development of regional partnerships to enable efficiencies in resource recovery, materials transport and disposal

Facility operators generally manage waste and resource recovery individually, without the consideration of partnerships in the interest of cost and logistical effectiveness.

Councils are required to have regard to the transport system objectives and decision-making principles in the Transport Integration Act 2010 (Vic) when making decisions under their governing legislation. The transport system objectives include integrating land use and transport systems, and promoting efficient and coordinated movement of goods.

There are no options currently for aggregation and bulking, as well as back loading of waste to reduce the cost of transport. Emergency events such as fires and floods have the potential to contribute to spikes in the volumes of waste to be managed by regional infrastructure. Clear mechanisms need to be developed to ensure that appropriate waste systems and contingencies are in place during and following these events.

3. Work across all levels of government, industry and investors to explore innovative and technological advancements that could inform future infrastructure development and investment

Innovative and technological advancements are continually progressing and becoming more competitive.

Monitoring changes and new opportunities could inform new infrastructure development or upgrades including innovative and cost effective service delivery models to rural and remote communities that increase resource recovery.

Investigations into energy from waste initiatives and their technologies are in their infancy and require investigation.

4. Work with Councils and industry to upgrade and rationalise infrastructure, improve operations and engage communities

Given the Victorian Government has committed to banning E-waste from landfill, it is likely additional infrastructure, storage and solutions to divert E-waste from landfill will be required.

The waste and resource recovery infrastructure in the region is aging and in some instances does not meet best practice.

There are inadequate storage facilities for certain materials at many resource recovery facilities,

High levels of skills and expertise are required to plan for, design, construct, operate and rehabilitate landfills to best practice.

There are many Resource Recovery Centres (RRCs), many not operating at best practice, which operate at a high cost to Councils and not achieving desired recovery rates.

The quantities of waste being managed by most landfills are relatively small and the cost effectiveness of existing landfills is expected to continue to deteriorate with increasing resource recovery. Significant capital, operational and long term rehabilitation costs of operating a landfill, captured in feasibility, business case and investment plans, are required to underpin decisions to progress with further landfill development

Approaches to planning for, procuring and operating resource recovery facilities is inconsistent, contributing to inefficiencies and does not necessarily address regional objectives or broader issues.

Commercial proprietors face a number of challenges relating to resource recovery

Sufficient landfill airspace exists within the Grampians Central West region to accommodate projected waste generation beyond 10 years.

Landfills play a role in safely and effectively managing residual waste, and whilst increasing resource recovery is a priority, landfills will continue to play a role in the infrastructure network.


TABLE 1. RATIONALE FOR PRIORITY ACTIONS FOR WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY continued

PRIORITY ACTION WHY IS IT PROPOSED?

5. Facilitate work between Councils or industry and the EPA to progress any rehabilitation assessments and requirements for closed landfills

The costs of rehabilitation and the ongoing management of landfills post-closure to the standards required under the EP Act to protect the environment and communities are high and are often unfunded liabilities, with Councils managing the majority.

6. Work with Councils and relevant state planning authorities to site new infrastructure appropriately and protect existing facilities and hubs from encroachment

If sites are not located appropriately and protected by suitable and appropriate buffers, then the functionality of existing facilities to undertake operations and protect the amenity of the community may be impacted.

Land use planning is a key mechanism to protect buffers.

Confidence to invest in new facilities is linked to the availability of sites with adequate, protected buffers.

All Victorian planning schemes require planning decision-makers to consider (as appropriate) relevant regional waste management plans. This requires planning decision-makers to consider the regional implementation plan when considering planning permit applications for new waste and resource recovery infrastructure and development.

7. Contribute to the development and application of a reliable state and regional data system to inform waste and resource recovery decisions

Accurate, credible, timely and reliable data is essential to assist planning for service delivery and capital infrastructure investment.

There are currently difficulties and repetition in data measurement and collection systems

The state government waste and resource recovery portfolio (Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Groups, EPA, SV and Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning – DELWP) is currently investigating data collection enhancements and ways to share information.

There are a limited number of weighbridges at the region’s facilities, which necessitates the use of estimates without standard criteria and accurate measurements.

There is a difficulty in distinguishing volumes of MSW and Solid Industrial Waste (from business and industry) particularly at transfer stations.

There is an interest in sharing learnings between operators and all Councils

8. Share information across government on regional infrastructure and market development needs and priorities

The Regional Implementation Plan can provide evidence to assist funding applications or business cases around asset improvement for waste and resource recovery infrastructure and associated infrastructure such as roads

To ensure industry, government and community have a full understanding of the trends, developments and technologies and advances that can influence markets and support investment in recovered resources

Consideration has specifically been given to meeting community expectations for resource recovery activities that improve the environment, community amenity and public health, while stimulating markets for the use of recovered materials for positive economic return.

9. Continue to work with relevant agencies, Councils, industry and schools on waste and resource recovery education and engagement

The draft Victorian Government’s Community and Business Waste Education Strategy for identified the value in coordinated education across the state to improve efficiency and effectiveness

There is a need for state programs to be tailored address regional and local priorities and to maximise effectiveness and take-up

There are a range of stakeholders with a role in the delivery of waste education: Councils, SV, EPA, Infrastructure Victoria, Regional Development Victoria, Victorian Litter Action Alliance, Schools, etc.

2.1.2 ACTION PLAN

Table 2 outlines the short-term activities proposed for each priority action.

A five-year timeframe for delivery has been set to enable actions to remain relevant, achievable and measurable.



TABLE 2. SHORT TERM ACTIONS, LEADS, STAKEHOLDERS AND TIMEFRAMES

PRIORITY ACTION SHORT-TERM ACTIVITIES (5-years)

LINK TO PRIORITY ACTIONS

LINK TO STATE INFRASTRUCTURE

PLAN GOALS LEAD

STAKE HOLDERS

WHEN


1.1 Investigate viable and innovative opportunities to increase recovery of food and garden organics as feedstock for regional Energy from Waste (EfW) options.

2, 3, 9 1, 2, 3

GCW WRRG, City of Ballarat,

Councils (subject to project)

Industry, SV, EPA, DELWP,

RDV

2016 – 2020

1.2 Facilitate discussions with the waste and resource recovery industry to investigate opportunities for resource recovery improvements

2, 3, 4, 9 All GCW WRRG Industry, SV,

Councils 2016 – 2019

1.3 Conduct waste audits to inform pre-sort viability assessment

3 2, 3 GCW WRRG Councils, SV 2018 – 2019

1.4 Investigate viability of pre-sort infrastructure at landfills and large RRCs

3, 4 All GCW WRRG Councils 2019 – 2020

1.5 Investigate and, where viable, inform and facilitate opportunities to increase recovery of priority materials including: organics; timber, tyres, aggregates, E-waste, glass, and textiles

2, 3, 9 1, 2, 3 GCW WRRG Industry, SV,

Councils 2017 – 2020

1.6 Identify appropriate co-location sites, that have the appropriate buffers and social licence to operate to receive, process or treat organic waste

2, 3, 4, 6 2, 3, 4 GCW WRRG

Councils, Industry,

Water Authorities

2018 – 2020

1.7 Work with Councils and state authorities to develop mechanisms to appropriately manage waste and resource recovery opportunities during and after emergency events

3, 8, 9 3, 4 GCW WRRG

SV, Emergency

Management Victoria, EPA,

Councils

2017 – 2018

1.8 Consider, inform and facilitate any future material diversion requirements from landfill in line with government commitments

2, 3, 4, 8, 9 All GCW WRRG

DELWP, Councils, Industry, Product

Stewardship ‘arrangements’

2016+

1.9 Investigate resource recovery opportunities with industry via waste stream mapping and resource availability awareness schemes

2, 3, 7, 9 2, 3 GCW WRRG Industry, SV,

Industry networks, RDV

Ongoing


TABLE 2. SHORT TERM ACTIONS, LEADS, STAKEHOLDERS AND TIMEFRAMES continued




PLAN GOALS LEAD

STAKE HOLDERS

WHEN


2.1 Investigate logistics and infrastructure that enables efficiencies in waste transport including understanding the viability verses distance constraint

1, 3, 4, 9 All Councils,

GCW WRRG Industry, SV 2016+

2.2 Facilitate collaborative procurements to maximise waste and resource recovery outcomes, where viable and providing cost effective solutions to optimise resource recovery

1, 3, 4, 9 2, 3, 4 GCW WRRG Councils, SV Ongoing

2.3 Observe and facilitate methodologies to minimise stockpiles of recovered materials

1, 3, 4, 9 2 GCW WRRG Councils, SV,

DELWP, Industry, EPA

2017 - 2020

2.4 Assist Councils to procure waste and resource recovery services and infrastructure that will achieve the goals and objectives of the State Infrastructure Plan and this Regional Implementation Plan

All All GCW WRRG Councils, SV,

Industry Ongoing

2.5 For collaborative procurements, encourage Councils to notify the ACCC or initiate authorisation

All All Councils GCW WRRG Ongoing

3. Work with all levels of government, industry and investors to explore innovative and technological advancements that could inform future infrastructure development and investment

3.1 Assist Councils to establish policy and strategies for resource recovery, waste management, infrastructure, the environment and sustainability which are aligned with this Regional Implementation Plan and the State Infrastructure Plan

1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9

All GCW WRRG Councils, SV Ongoing

3.2 Promote the strategic directions of this plan to the waste and resource recovery industry in the region

3, 9 4 GCW WRRG Industry,

Councils, SV Ongoing

3.3 Investigate and evaluate service delivery models and any associated infrastructure in rural and remote regional areas to facilitate cost effective resource recovery

1, 4, 9 2, 3 GCW WRRG Councils, SV 2016 - 2017







PLAN GOALS LEAD

STAKE HOLDERS

WHEN

3.4 Monitor and provide advice on opportunities and advances in the waste and resource recovery sector and consider their application and viability for the region

1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9

2, 3, 4 GCW WRRG Councils,

Industry, SV Ongoing

3.5 Foster innovation, economic development and employment initiatives as they relate to the waste and resource recovery industry

1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9

2, 3, 4 GCW WRRG Councils, SV,

DELWP, Industry, RDV

Ongoing

3.6 Assist Councils and industry in responding to key waste and resource recovery issues and topics to foster enhanced relationships and continuous infrastructure and operational improvement


Industry Ongoing

3.7 Review the Regional Implementation Plan and associated Schedules within 3 - 5 years

All All GCW WRRG Councils, SV, DELWP, EPA,

Industry

2018 - 2020

3.8 Provide ongoing assistance to Councils and Industry to identify and develop opportunities for recovery of material streams with potential economic value or high environmental and public health risk at the state, regional and local level to inform infrastructure investment decisions including: potential

opportunities and gaps identified in the State Infrastructure Plan

opportunities to use cross regional flows to consolidate material streams

opportunities in rural areas where economies of scale may be hard to achieve

1, 3, 4, 7 2, 3, 4 GCW WRRG Councils, Industry

Ongoing






PLAN GOALS LEAD

STAKE HOLDERS

WHEN

4. Work with Councils and industry to upgrade and rationalise infrastructure, improve operations and engage communities

4.1 Work with Councils to establish best practice storage and handling of materials such as hardstand areas to reduce contamination of organics at RRCs, shelters, etc., where appropriate

1, 3 2, 3 Councils GCW WRRG,

SV 2016 - 2020

4.2 Investigate and consider options for asset rationalisation, consolidation and upgrade of landfill and RRC infrastructure, primarily in rural and remote areas.

1, 2, 3, 9 All Councils GCW WRRG,

SV, EPA 2016 - 2020

4.3 Facilitate training opportunities to assist Councils to continuously improve landfill and RRC operations to meet best practice and optimise recovery

1, 2, 9 3 GCW WRRG EPA, Councils Ongoing

5. Work with Councils or industry and the EPA to progress any rehabilitation assessments and requirements for closed landfills

5.1 Facilitate work between operators’ / duty holders and the EPA to develop risk based assessments for closed landfills and develop management strategies for future rehabilitation implementation

3, 4, 9 1 GCW WRRG,

Councils EPA

2017 - 2020

6. Work with Councils or industry and the EPA to progress any rehabilitation assessments and requirements for closed landfills

6.1 Work with Councils to discuss potential planning mechanisms to protect buffers for existing and proposed facilities and hubs where required

3, 8 3, 4 GCW WRRG

Councils, Minister for Planning,

Industry, SV, DELWP

2016 - 2019

6.2 Work with industry and Councils to identify possible sites for new infrastructure including mechanisms to consider this plan in relation to relevant planning scheme amendments and planning permit applications for new waste and resource recovery infrastructure

1, 3, 4 3, 4 GCWWRRG

Councils, Minister for

Planning, SV, EPA DELWP,

Industry

2016 -2019







PLAN GOALS LEAD

STAKE HOLDERS

WHEN

7. Contribute to the development and application of a reliable state and regional data system to inform waste and resource recovery decisions

7.1 Work with SV and other Groups to develop and support an integrated data system that responds to state and regional needs

9 4 SV

GCW WRRG Groups,

Councils, DELWP, EPA

2016 – 2018

7.2 Work with industry and SV to receive more timely, consistent and reliable data through building relationships

9 4 GCW WRRG Industry, SV 2017 – 2019

7.3 Analyse and share data and information to assist evidence based decision-making and operations

9 4 GCW WRRG Councils,

Industry, SV 2017 – 2019


8.1 Consult with industry and Councils to gather information on innovation and market development needs and priorities

3, 8, 9 4 GCW WRRG Councils,

Industry, SV Ongoing

8.2 Inform and participate in the development of state policies and programs by communicating regional needs and priorities for infrastructure, innovation opportunities and market development for materials

1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9

All GCW WRRG Councils, SV,

DELWP, Industry

Ongoing

9. Continue to work with relevant agencies, Councils, industry and schools on waste and resource recovery education and engagement

9.1 Play a role in assisting SV, the Victorian Litter Action Alliance (VLAA) and Councils in facilitating the development and implementation of best practice litter prevention programs


DELWP, Industry

Ongoing

9.2 Implement community education and engagement activities in conjunction with Councils, Schools, industry and communities.

4 4 GCW WRRG

SV, VLAA Councils, Schools, Industry

Ongoing

9.3 Provide assistance to industry to ensure infrastructure, facilities and services are operated and managed to protect the community, environment and public health

4 4 Councils GCW WRRG,

SV, Community,

Ongoing

THE STATE OF WASTE IN THE GRAMPIANS CENTRAL

WEST REGION



3. THE STATE OF WASTE IN THE GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST REGION

3.1 OVERVIEW OF THE REGION

3.1.1 REGIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS

The Grampians Central West region (Figure 3) spreads across 12 LGAs in western Victoria, encompassing an area of over 50,000km2 or more than 21% of the state.

This covers a significant area from the metropolitan boundary to the South Australian Border generally along the Western Highway corridor. The region includes key population centres such as Ararat, Ballarat, Horsham and Stawell, and ranges from urban fringe areas adjoining metropolitan Melbourne to rural areas bordering South Australia

The region is home to a current population of over 250,000 which is projected to grow over the next ten years to around 290,000 (an increase of over 14%). The total regional population, as outlined in Table 3, is forecast to increase by 16% between 2015/2016 and 2025/2026 (the life of the Regional Implementation Plan) incorporating more than 40,000 more people. Population density varies across the region, with the number of people per km2 ranging from over 130 in Ballarat to less than one in Hindmarsh, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack.

FIGURE 3. MAP OF THE GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST REGION


TABLE 3. LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA POPULATION PROJECTED 2015/2016 – 2030/2031

LGA 2015/2016 2020/2021 2025/2026 2030/2031 CHANGE 2016-2026

Ararat 11,299 11,578 11,744 11,913 445 4%

Ballarat 104,344 115,476 127,265 139,650 22,921 22%

Central Goldfields 12,729 13,039 13,482 13,768 753 6%

Golden Plains 21,714 24,250 26,488 28,841 4,774 22%

Hepburn 15,175 16,059 17,082 17,918 1,907 13%

Hindmarsh 5,497 5,352 5,125 4,932 -372 -7%

Horsham 19,886 20,509 21,371 22,223 1,485 8%

Moorabool 32,420 36,484 40,930 45,414 7,970 25%

Northern Grampians 11,657 11,554 11,410 11,542 -247 -2%

Pyrenees 6,902 7,199 7,461 7,739 559 8%

West Wimmera 3,933 3,828 3,696 3,631 -237 -6%

Yarriambiack 6,674 6,434 6,264 6,208 -410 -6%

Total 252,230 271,762 292,318 313,779 39,548 16%

Source: Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 2015 Victoria in Future (VIF) projections

The projected growth is not uniform across all LGA areas. The population in Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack is expected to decrease slightly in the next ten years, with the western segment of the regions remaining stable, and the majority of growth expected to occur in the peri-urban and regional centres of Ballarat, Golden Plains and Moorabool.

The regional centres and peri-urban municipalities have the larger population base and will also include the greatest population growth. This is evidenced by the City of Ballarat hosting 44.5% of the regional population in 2030/2031 and between now and 2030/2031 Ballarat will also accommodate the majority of new residents with over 35,000 people equating to 57.4% of the regional growth. Rural LGAs, on the contrary, are experiencing slightly declining populations for a number of reasons including but not exclusive to ageing population, changing agricultural scenarios and migration to regional centres where health and education facilities are located.

While population growth is a major driver of how much waste is generated, there are many other factors contributing to how much and what waste and associated materials are generated. This includes but may not be exclusive to urban lifestyles, economic conditions, manufacturing, consumer decision, education and community behaviour.

5 Central Highlands Regional Growth Plan, May 2014 and Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Growth Plan, May 2014

3.1.2 REGIONAL INFORMATION As noted in the Central Highlands and Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Growth Plans5 the region has three distinct parts, each with its own particular issues and opportunities:

Ballarat, which is the largest city has a significant impact on the development and growth in its hinterland

The eastern section of the region, which is within Melbourne’s peri-urban hinterland and has particular population growth pressures around areas with significant landscapes, agricultural, waterway and other environmental assets

The western area, predominantly comprising rural areas and establishment settlements, with relatively low or negligible population growth.

The main road transport corridor in the region is the Western Highway, which connects the region from Bacchus Marsh through to Ballarat, Ararat, Stawell, and Horsham and onto the South Australian border. There are also numerous other important road and rail corridors including the Sunraysia Highway connecting Ballarat to the central part of the region, the Henty Highway, which runs north-south through Horsham and the Wimmera Highway which provides an additional east-west link in the West Wimmera.

The region contains highly productive agricultural and horticultural land for broadacre grazing in the south and broadacre cropping in the north and central areas. There are also some areas of intensive agriculture, including horticulture, viticulture and poultry across the region.



Other key employment sectors across the region are healthcare, manufacturing, retail and construction. Manufacturing, tourism, transport and mining are important elements of the economy in some areas across the region. Employment is growing in the services sectors particularly education and health. The industry outlook over the next two decades indicates that high growth sectors will be healthcare and social assistance, professional, scientific and technical services, renewable energy, accommodation and food services and tourism.

One of the principle challenges in managing the future of waste and resource recovery across the region is the significant variation in the economic outlooks in terms of population density, growth patterns, economic diversification and changes in economic activity.

3.2 WASTE GENERATED AND MANAGED IN THE REGION

All aspects of life, business and household activities within the region lead to the generation of waste. Some of this waste is managed, that is recovered and reprocessed, within the region but some of it is transported and managed outside of the region. Some materials come from outside the region and are managed by reprocessors and landfill within the region.

Based on modelling and outlined in Table 4a, an estimated 688,000 tonnes of waste was generated and managed in the Grampians Central West region in 2013/2014, representing approximately 7% of the state total. Of this, 561,000 tonnes (81.5%) of residual waste was sent to landfills in the region6 which included significant flows from the Metropolitan region (State Infrastructure Plan 2015).

The remaining 127,000 tonnes (18.5%) of material resources were recovered.

MSW is the largest generating sector with around 311,000 tonnes per annum and representing 45% of all waste.

Less than a quarter (23%) of this waste is recovered, thus forcing significant volumes to landfill.

The C&I sector generates approximately one third of the waste in the region (228,000 tonnes) however only recovers a small portion (26,000 tonnes or 11%) of the materials.

The C&D sector equates to about one fifth of the waste generated and managed, and of that amount recovers a further 20% of materials.

Overall, the recovery rate of 18.5% is a low figure, below state averages, but permits the region to have the greatest opportunity for improvement.

It is anticipated that a range of new Council resource recovery systems, industry and community education will increase the recovery rate into the future.

FIGURE 4. RESOURCE FLOWS IN VICTORIA’S CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Source: Sustainability Victoria 2015, Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan Victoria 2015 – 44

6Blue Environment 2016, Grampians Central West Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment


TABLE 4a SECTOR BREAKDOWN OF MATERIAL GENERATED AND MANAGED IN THE REGION (TONNES) AND RECOVERY RATE

2013/2014 TOTAL RECOVERED LANDFILLED7 RECOVERY RATE LANDFILL RATE

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

311,000 70,000 241,000 23% 77%

Commercial and Industrial (C&I)

228,000 26,000 202,000 11% 89%

Construction and Demolition (C&D)

149,000 31,000 118,000 21% 79%

Total 688,000 127,000 561,000 18.5% 81.5%

Source: Compositional data from Sustainability Victoria 2015, Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3, Blue Environment 2016, Grampians Central West Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment and direct information from LGAs and Reprocessors.

When considering the volumes of waste and resources generated and managed and within the region, one must be cognisant of the fact that the region is home to Maddingley Brown Coal, a waste facility of state significance.

Maddingley Brown Coal is a solid inert waste landfill and is the only landfill in the state permitted to receive shredder floc8 which is a major by-product of industrial activity. The majority of material disposed of at Maddingley Brown Coal has had all viable resources recovered from it and is totally residual. With its proximity to metropolitan Melbourne, much of the material deposited at Maddingley Brown Coal is generated outside the region and transported in to the region for disposal. More information on Maddingley Brown Coal can be located in Section 4.3 Landfill Infrastructure.

With Maddingley Brown Coal receiving the majority of its material from metropolitan Melbourne, Table 4b has been included to provide a picture of what occurs in the region directly from its population.

The significant volumes of solid inert material, with no recovery potential and disposed of at the Maddingley Brown Coal Landfill, skews the regions recovery rate to a lower figure. This particular issue is not encountered by any other regions in the state in the same way it is encountered in the Grampians Central West, due to its particular size and location of this landfill.

Table 4b shows that the region is recovering 50% of MSW, which demonstrates a better recovery rate than otherwise indicated. The recovery of C&I (30% - 26,000 tonnes) and C&D (47% - 31,000 tonnes) presents a case that industry is endeavouring and attaining improved recovery rates. The removal of the cross regional inflows provides a recovery improvement, but there is still the capacity for local and regional improvement.

The four major landfills located across the region, each manage between 17% and 39% of the total landfill volume generated in the region.

This waste generated and managed across the region is expected to grow continuously in line with population growth projections at around 14% over the next 10 years to over 756,000 tonnes (and to more than 982,000 tonnes by 2044/2045).

The expected rate of growth of landfilled and recovered material is shown in Figure 5 under existing conditions of generation and diversion, i.e. ‘business as usual’ (BAU). BAU is defined as the current situation (status quo) continuing although it is noted that the intention of the Regional Implementation Plan is to endeavour to provide continuous improvement and these figures to ultimately change for the better.

TABLE 4b SECTOR BREAKDOWN OF MATERIAL MANAGED IN THE REGION (TONNES) AND RECOVERY RATE EXCLUDING MADDINGLEY BROWN COAL (CROSS REGION SOLID INERT RECEIVABLES)

2013/2014 MANAGED TOTAL RECOVERED LANDFILLED RECOVERY RATE LANDFILL RATE

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

140,000 70,000 70,000 50% 50%

Commercial and Industrial (C&I)

86,000 26,000 60,000 30% 70%

Construction and Demolition (C&D)

66,000 31,000 35,000 47% 53%

Total 292,000 127,000 165,000 43.5% 56.5%

7 Tonnes landfilled are derived from landfill levy data supplied by EPA and do not include prescribed industrial waste (PIW). There has been no allowance for daily cover which must be considered when comparing figures with those in earlier drafts of the State Infrastructure Plan. Previously landfill figures were adjusted to remove a 15% allowance for daily cover. 8 Shredder Floc is Residue directly arising from large scale shredding operations to recover metals. Shredded material includes, but is not limited to, end of life vehicles, white goods, machineries, drums and corrugated material.



Figure 5 shows that under BAU conditions and including Maddingley Brown Coal, much of the additional growth in waste is expected to result in landfilled materials, while the amount of waste recovered is expected to remain relatively static.

The principles and priority actions of this Regional Implementation Plan aim to alter this to recover more resources and minimise landfill usage.

Therefore, a future representation of this figure will indicate an increased rate of resource recovery in line with the objectives of this plan. The trend at the regional level is for increased waste generation, which is not uniform across all LGAs. This increase in generated and managed waste growth is largely based upon the population increases projected to occur over the

planning period, especially in regional centres and peri-urban municipalities as evidenced in Figure 6.

The projected 30-year trend for total waste and resources recovered (based on a per capita generation rate) by each LGA is shown in Figure 6 utilising BAU modelling.

This demonstrates that the largest contribution towards the total generated and managed waste growth in the region is from the LGAs with the largest projected population increase and includes Ballarat, Moorabool and Golden Plains.

Proportions of waste generated and managed by each LGA is based on the overall waste for the region divided by the population for each LGA.

FIGURE 5. SOURCE SECTOR PROJECTIONS FOR MATERIALS GENERATED AND MANAGED 2015 – 2045 (BUSINESS AS USUAL)

Source: Blue Environment 2016, Grampians Central West Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment based on RWRRD data Sustainable Resource Use for Sustainability Victoria, 2015. NB – includes Maddingley Brown Coal landfilled material.

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

Tonnes

C&D ‐ Landfilled

C&D ‐ recovery

C&I ‐ Landfilled

C&I ‐ recovery

MSW ‐ Landfilled

MSW ‐ recovery


FIGURE 6. PROJECTED WASTE GENERATED AND MANAGED PER CAPITA BY COUNCIL AREA 2015 – 2045 (BUSINESS AS USUAL)

3.2.1 MATERIAL STREAM SUMMARY

Of the more than 688,000 tonnes of material managed in the region in 2013/2014, it is estimated that only around 127,000 tonnes was recovered for recycling and reprocessing.

The composition (by weight) of the type of material recovered and the breakdown of what residual went to landfill in the region is shown in Figure 7.

The percentage recovered does not include the materials that go directly to other regions for recovery, estimated to be around 43,000 tonnes, including the large amounts of glass, paper, cardboard, etc., that are collected through kerbside commingled recyclable collections and sent for recovery in metropolitan Melbourne. Further detail and information on key materials is outlined in their respective categories in Section 4.

Figure 7 illustrates that of the recovered materials in the region, organics all (combined including food, garden, wood / timber, and other) equates to approximately 36%. It is expected that the introduction of a garden waste collection in Ballarat during 2016 will result in an increase in the resource recovery rate of organics. Other key materials recovered include Metals 54%, Aggregates, masonry and soil 18% and Paper / Cardboard 8%.

The recovery rates for cardboard, glass, textiles, plastics, aggregates, masonry and soils are extremely low. There is potential to improve some of these rates and to significantly increase the recovery of textiles, plastics, wood and timber, and other materials through the promotion of existing services, aggregation and bulking, and work with local industries to develop markets.



FIGURE 7. MATERIAL MANAGED IN THE REGION: RECOVERED AND LANDFILLED RESOURCE MATERIAL BY TYPE (2013/2014)

Source: Compositional data from Sustainability Victoria 2015 Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3, and Blue Environment 2016, Grampians Central West Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment.

Table 5 and Figure 8 consider the data on recovered materials that were reprocessed in the region. It is evident, and similar to the above Figure 7 that the reprocessing of organics and metals occurs at a reasonable rate. There are deficiencies in the recovery and reprocessing of plastics, glass, textiles and paper/cardboard to name a few. This provides the potential opportunity for further recovery of these materials and their reprocessing in the region, if viable.

TABLE 5. MATERIAL STREAMS REPROCESSED (TONNES) IN THE REGION 2013/2014

MATERIAL CATEGORY MANAGED9 (TONNES)

RECOVERED (TONNES)

LANDFILLED10 (TONNES)

% RECOVERED

Organics

Food 42,000 15,000 27,000 36% Garden Waste 10,000 3,000 7,000 30% Wood / Timber 9,000 3,000 6,000 33% Combined N/A N/A N/A N/A Other 9,000 9,000 <500 98%

Paper/ Cardboard 142,000 12,000 130,000 8% Glass 15,000 N/A 15,000 0.1% Plastics 115,000 3,000 112,000 3% Rubber incl. tyres N/A N/A N/A N/A Metals 34,000 18,000 16,000 53% Aggregates, Masonry and Soil 97,000 17,000 80,000 18% Textiles 44,000 N/A 44,000 0% PIW 60,000 N/A 60,000 0% E-waste <500 <500 N/A 100% Other 63,000 4,000 59,000 6% Total 640,000 84,000 556,000 13%

Source: Compositional data from Sustainability Victoria 2015 Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3, Sustainability Victoria/SRU 2015, Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operators – Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Regional Report and Blue Environment 2016, Grampians Central West Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment.

9 Modelled data and rounded figures. Percentages based upon actual data. 10 Tonnes landfilled are derived from landfill levy data supplied by EPA and do not include prescribed industrial waste (PIW). There has been no allowance for daily cover which must be considered when comparing figures with those in earlier drafts of the State Infrastructure Plan. Previously landfill figures were adjusted to remove a 15% allowance for daily cover.

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

Recovered Landfilled


FIGURE 8. PROJECTED GROWTH OF REPROCESSED MATERIALS 2015 – 2045

Source: Compositional data from Sustainability Victoria 2015 Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3 and Blue Environment 2016, Grampians Central West Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment.

This data has identified that there is a significant value of resources that are going to landfill and a significant percentage of those resources could and should be recovered as long as there is a viable final market.

To place this in financial perspective, if the total landfill levy paid annually in the Grampians Central West region, for materials currently being landfilled (tonnages of approximately 550,000 as per Table 4a), excluding the category ‘other’ which includes all non-recyclable waste, it proposes that this is in the order of $15 - $30 million. This amount is currently being paid as a landfill levy to dispose of a valuable resource that can be retained and reused, and potentially derive additional financial, social and environmental benefits.

This calculation is based on landfill levy estimation:

$30 million = Schedule C - Metro and provincial premises Municipal and Industrial waste;

$15+ million = Non-Schedule C (Rural) premises Municipal and Industrial waste

While it is highly unlikely to recover 100% of every material, the landfill levy savings are considerable. This, when calculated with total commercial activity including landfill gate fees, corporate profit margin, transport costs and so forth, suggests there is capacity to invest into resource recovery as the value of the market potential for recovery is significant and worthy of further feasibility and investigation. Any investment in resource recovery may be brokered on the initial payback of the form of a reduction in total volumes to landfill and subsequent landfill levy savings.

3.2.2 WASTE FLOWS INTO AND OUT OF THE REGION

There is a significant amount of waste that flows in and out of the region. The exact amount is difficult to determine due to the rudimentary amount of data captured and the extensive array of waste measurement and recording methodologies, multiple facility options within the region and abroad and transport routes. Simply the region, where viable, should focus on the opportunity to better manage materials generated in the region.

The current information on cross regional flows was one of the considerations that the Group when undertaking a joint Market Sounding process with the neighbouring Barwon South West region. Some residual waste is transported to Werribee landfill from Golden Plains and mixed recyclables to other facilities in Melbourne for reprocessing. Kerbside collection of recyclable materials, such as in Ballarat which has over 40% of the regional population, is managed in Melbourne. Virtually all other Councils are transporting kerbside recyclables to Barwon South West or the Melbourne metropolitan regions. This impacts on the amount of materials currently managed within the region and subsequent regionally managed recovery rates.



Figure 9 illustrates the source of materials entering the region to reprocessors and the destination of materials leaving reprocessors from the region. Analysis of the estimated data from Sustainability Victoria (2015) outlines that the reprocessors in the Grampians Central West region receive the majority of their recovered materials from within the region, followed by the Melbourne metropolitan region. Small tonnages are received from other Victorian regions and from interstate sources. Reprocessors, as a collective, indicated they received 68% of their materials from within the region, 3% from other non-metropolitan regions in Victoria, 28% sourced from metropolitan Melbourne and 1% from interstate.

Current data11 indicates that more material leaves the region than enters the region. Significant material flows are transported out of the region for recovery/reprocessing and include:

A large amount of paper and cardboard is collected in the region and transported to Melbourne;

Metals and tyres are collected and transported to Melbourne. The exact quantity and volumes are unknown;

Organic material to Barwon South West region;

Plastics and mattresses to Barwon South West region; and

Hazardous waste12 (oil, car batteries, paint and gas bottles) are collected and sent to Melbourne.

The majority of materials able to be reprocessed are sent either directly to the Melbourne metropolitan region, or aggregated at local reprocessors and forwarded. Smaller tonnages are managed within the Grampians Central West region, sent interstate and to other Victorian regions.

A small proportion of material is sent overseas following reprocessing. Most materials leave the region, with only 20% staying within the Grampians Central West area. Of the material that leaves the region, 47% is sent to Melbourne, 12% to other non-metro regions, 19% interstate and 1% is exported.

In addition to the material sorted or reprocessed in the region, there is also material sourced from within the region but managed in Melbourne. Waste generators and material handlers with a statewide or nationwide presence often have recycling contract arrangements that see material flow directly to capital city facilities.

This includes national waste companies and also national retailers and industrial sites.

The total value of resources recovered in the region13 is estimated to be over $4m, with less than $0.5 million of those resources staying in the region. This figure underestimates the value of the industry as some businesses in this region did not provide a value for reprocessed products.

In an extensive geographical region with variation in population, there is an opportunity to undertake a number of resource recovery initiatives to aid in the viable reclamation of materials within the region such as reducing contamination, developing new or enhanced markets, security of feedstock and economies of scale.

Materials across the region are sold from resource recovery operators in the form of a number of products. Table 7 outlines the three major products for each material type sold on by reprocessors in the region. Some of these products will be used by manufacturers to produce other products further down the supply chain.

11 Sustainability Victoria/SRU 2015, Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operations - Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Regional Report 12 Hazardous waste is out of scope of the Regional Implementation Plan

13 Sustainability Victoria/SRU 2015, Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operations - Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Regional Report


FIGURE 9. CROSS REGIONAL FLOWS OF REPROCESSED MATERIALS IN THE GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST REGION

Source: Blue Environment 2016, Grampians Central West Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment.



TABLE 6. ESTIMATE OF CROSS REGIONAL FLOWS OF RECOVERED MATERIALS (2013/2014)14

MATERIAL CATEGORY FLOWS INTO THE REGION FLOWS OUT OF THE REGION

Tonnes Source Region Tonnes Destination

Region

REPROCESSING

Organics

Food N/A

Garden Waste 3,000 Metropolitan 35,000 Regional Victoria, Metropolitan

Interstate Wood / Timber N/A

Combined N/A

Other N/A

Paper / Cardboard 8,000 Regional Victoria

Metropolitan

6,000 Regional Victoria, Metropolitan,

Overseas

Glass N/A 1,000 Regional Victoria, Metropolitan

Plastics 2,000 Regional Victoria, Metropolitan,

Interstate

2,000 Metropolitan, Interstate, Overseas

Rubber (inc. Tyres) N/A

Metals N/A 2,000 Regional Victoria, Metropolitan

Aggregates, Masonry and Soil

9,000 Metropolitan N/A

Textiles (Mattresses) N/A <500 Regional Victoria

E-Waste <500 Regional Victoria N/A

Other <500 Interstate 7,000 Metropolitan, Overseas

Total 22,000 53,000

Disposal to Landfill 400,000 Metropolitan N/A

Source: Sustainability Victoria/SRU 2015, Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operators – Grampians Central West Regional Report, and direct Industry and Council data contribution.

TABLE 7. SUMMARY OF MAJOR PRODUCTS PRODUCED FROM RECOVERED MATERIALS

MATERIAL TYPE MAJOR PRODUCT 1 MAJOR PRODUCT 2 MAJOR PRODUCT 3

Aggregates, Masonry and Soil Crushed concrete Other undifferentiated products N/A

Glass Packaging glass Cullet Sand substitute

Metals Metal / steel Secondary aluminium casting

alloys N/A

Organics Stock feed Manufactured soils /

landscaping soils Furniture, flooring, construction

timbers and general lumber

Paper and Cardboard Cardboard packaging (baled) Printing papers Other paper packaging products

Plastics Timber replacement products Mixed plastic packaging (baled) PE-HD (2)

Rubber N/A N/A N/A

Other Disassembled E-waste N/A N/A

14 Not including kerbside collection


3.3 FUTURE PROJECTIONS OF WASTE TO BE MANAGED

Figure 5 (in section 3.2) highlights the future for the region’s waste and resource recovery by sector based on business as usual projections. Assuming current resource recovery rates continue, and based on further economic development and expected population increases, by 2026, waste generated and managed is projected to increase by 14% (or more than 100,000 tonnes) to 756,000 tonnes. In 30 years it is expected to increase by more than 50% to approximately 982,000 tonnes.

Under business as usual conditions, overall waste generated and managed increases consistently across the next 30 years with recovery occurring at a slower rate than landfilling. This trend runs counter to statewide trends and provides a substantial opportunity for this region to address and increase resource recovery. As outlined in Section 3.2.1, a significant volume of waste is deposited at Maddingley Brown Coal’s solid inert landfill. This waste is a result of cross regional flows and generated in the metropolitan Melbourne region. Regional projection must take into consideration when analysing resource recovery and landfill rates.

The region will continue to consistently increase the amount of waste and resources generate and manage within the region, as outlined in Figure 10. This figure which excludes cross regional flows (Maddingley Brown Coal), aligns with Table 4b, and demonstrates that the region is projected to increase the amount of resources recovered. This improved recovery rate is projected to increase at approximately 5% per annum ahead of landfill at 3%. In this scenario when excluding cross regional flows, the recovery rate inherently increases from around 30% to almost 40%. Other resource recovery initiatives, if applied over the next 30 years would also create a larger rise in the recovery rate and a lessening in the waste to landfill volumes.

Detailed analysis has established that the region will not require additional landfill capacity within the next 10 years. Furthermore, the strategic objective to recover materials and reduce waste to landfill will further reduce reliance on landfill.

15 Gladwell, M. The Tipping Point, 2000

3.4 LITTER AND ILLEGAL DUMPING Litter and illegal dumping poses a significant problem for communities in terms of environmental and amenity impacts, clean up and collection costs. Litter also has a negative impact on local communities’ feelings of safety and wellbeing (Gladwell, M. 200015 and Kelling, G. 198216).

Litter and illegal dumping is managed through a wide range infrastructure, education and enforcement actions across state and Council authorities. The Victorian Community and Business Waste Education Strategy identifies regional litter plans as a key mechanism to identify and prioritise regional litter issues and develop targeted, measurable and evidence based litter prevention activities.

The Group will play a role in supporting Sustainability Victoria, the Victorian Litter Action Alliance (VLAA) and Councils in facilitating the development and implementation of best practice litter prevention programs by:

Leveraging our strong relationships and partnerships to influence best practice litter prevention practices among our stakeholders and delivery partners;

Supporting participation (and retaining membership) with the VLAA and to utilise existing resources, research and tools developed by VLAA to ensure a consistent approach to litter prevention and clean up;

Supporting stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing, capacity and capability building through state government and Council partnerships, and with other land managers, where relevant;

Supporting the development of consistent litter data collection and reporting practices (e.g. VLAA’s Local Litter Measurement Toolkit) that can be shared and used by all stakeholders for strategic program implementation and evaluation; and

Supporting the development of cohesive State, Regional and Council litter strategies.

16 Kelling, George L.; Wilson, James Q. Broken windows: the police and neighborhood safety. Atlantic Monthly. 1982



FIGURE 10. PROJECTED WASTE AND RECOVERED RESOURCES 2015 – 2045 EXCLUDING CROSS REGIONAL FLOWS (BUSINESS AS USUAL)

Source: Blue Environment 2016, Grampians Central West Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment based on RWRRD data Sustainable Resource Use for Sustainability Victoria, 2015

FIGURE 11. VLAA BEST PRACTICE MODEL FOR LITTER PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT

Source: http://www.litter.vic.gov.au/litter-prevention-tooklits/best-practice-model Victorian Litter Action Alliance Website

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Tonnes

Waste recovered

Waste to landfill

THE WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY

SYSTEM IN THE GRAMPIANS CENTRAL

WEST REGION



4. THE WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY SYSTEM IN THE GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST REGION

4.1 WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES

The region is served by a range of waste and resource recovery infrastructure, both publicly and privately owned and operated. The infrastructure network includes four licenced landfills (two owned by Councils, and two privately owned) and 12 landfills exempt from licencing.

The region also accommodates 59 Resource Recovery Centre / Transfer Stations / Drop off Facilities (all operated by Councils except for one in in Ballarat), four Material Recovery Facilities, three Resource Recovery Interchange Facilities and at least 21 reprocessors.

The network generally has adequate current capacity however some additional capacity in key areas will be required to meet the region’s future needs.

Table 8 shows the number of resource recovery facilities / reprocessors and landfills in each LGA and Table 9 displays a summary of the types of infrastructure and their capacity – noting that some materials flow out of the region to be managed and others flow into the region. The facilities and their locations are mapped out in Appendix 7.

TABLE 8. SUMMARY OF OPERATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE TYPES IN EACH COUNCIL AREA (IN 2015/2016)

COUNCIL AREA RESOURCE RECOVERY

CENTRES / MRF / INTERCHANGED

REPROCESSORS LANDFILLS

Ararat Rural City Council 9 0 7

Central Goldfields Shire Council 4 1 0

City of Ballarat 3 12 0

Golden Plains Shire Council17 1 1 1

Hepburn Shire Council 4 1 0

Hindmarsh Shire Council 7 0 0

Horsham Rural City Council 6 3 1

Moorabool Shire Council 3 1 1

Northern Grampians Shire Council18 6 1 2

Pyrenees Shire Council 6 1 0

West Wimmera Shire Council 7 0 0

Yarriambiack Shire Council19 10 0 4

Total 66 21 16

17 Smythesdale Landfill is owned and operated by the City of Ballarat but located in the Golden Plains Shire Council 18 Includes one combined Resource Recovery Centre and Landfill and one Interchange Facility 19 Includes four combined Resource Recovery Centres and Landfills


TABLE 9. SUMMARY OF REPROCESSING INFRASTRUCTURE TYPES IN THE REGION (IN 2015) AND ASSOCIATED TONNAGES AND CAPACITY FROM 2013/2014

INFRASTRUCTURE TYPE NUMBER20 TONNES

CURRENTLY MANAGED

INSTALLED CAPACITY

UNDER-UTILISED CAPACITY

Resource Recovery

Drop Off 5

25,000

RRC/TS Stand Alone 42

RRC/TS (co-located at landfill)21 12

RRC Interchanges 3 N/A N/A N/A

MRF 4 7,000

Reprocessor Organics 5 30,000 68,000 38,000

Reprocessor Paper / Cardboard 3 12,000 29,000 17,000

Reprocessor Glass 0 <100 <100 0

Reprocessor Plastics 1 3,000 4,000 1,000

Reprocessor Tyres / Rubber 0 N/A N/A N/A

Reprocessor Metals 4 18,000 64,000 26,000

Reprocessor Aggregate, Masonry and Soils 4 18,000 43,000 25,000

Reprocessor Textiles 0 N/A N/A N/A

Reprocessor E-Waste 1 <500 <1,000 <500

Reprocessor Other22 1 4,000 3,000 0

Energy from Waste (EfW) Anaerobic Digestion / Other 2 N/A N/A N/A

Total 87

Source: Compositional data from Sustainability Victoria 2015 Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3, Sustainability Victoria/SRU 2015 Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operators Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Regional Report and Blue Environment 2016, Grampians Central West Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment.

20 Note that some reprocessors manage multiple materials. 21 At collocated sites RRC/TS volumes managed only; no landfill volumes considered. 22 Reprocessor other predominantly manage Aggregates, masonry and soil / plastics



4.2 RESOURCE RECOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE – STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

4.2.1 COLLECTION SYSTEMS

A waste collection system involves services to pick up waste where it is generated and transport it to facilities for processing or disposal. These services are provided to households and some businesses by Councils, and to some businesses by commercial operators. Collection services play an important role in aggregating materials for recovery and appropriate management and protecting public health and the environment.

4.2.1.1 MUNICIPAL KERBSIDE COLLECTION

Municipal kerbside collections provide an essential community service through the regular removal of waste materials from households. These services include the collection of commingled recyclables, organic garden waste (in some localities) and residual waste (garbage). Some Councils provide a service to small and medium enterprises.

Kerbside services are provided by Councils via private contracts and in-house providers, paid for by residents through rates and waste levies. All Councils deliver weekly residual waste collection services other than Golden Plains Shire who provide a fortnightly collection and larger receptacle. Rural properties are generally provided with an optional service subject to being on an acceptable route or in a reasonable density. Recycling collections occur across all LGAs, generally on a fortnightly basis, but not in outlying rural areas.

Limited organics garden waste collections occur; Pyrenees Shire Council has a fortnightly collection and Central Goldfields Shire Council have an opt-in fortnightly service. Organics garden waste collections have commenced in Ballarat urban areas from July 2016. This leaves 75% of Councils and a significant number of households not collecting organic garden waste, thus producing considerable tonnage of a viable waste material that is going to landfill. The gap in kerbside organics recovery is an opportunity for the region.

Municipal collections provide a secure supply of feedstock for reprocessors. Efficiency, transport and environmental performance has improved through technological advances such as global positioning guidance and tracking systems, cameras, improved emission standards, low entry and high visibility collection vehicles.

Future Needs and Opportunities

There is capacity for Councils to investigate a number of opportunities including:

Ongoing assessment and extension of kerbside collection routes for new developments and rural areas (or alternative solutions);

Extension of organics (garden waste) services to Council areas that do not currently offer kerbside services (should be examined through feasibility investigations and procurement processes);

Analysis and review of forthcoming kerbside

contracts and investigation for suitable size (larger) commingled recycling receptacles, smaller (general waste) receptacles, optimal frequency of collection; and

Continue to increase the quality of recovered materials by a number of methodologies from education to better infrastructure.

The City of Ballarat’s commitment to a continued investment in the kerbside collection and street cleaning fleet with a rolling programme of investing in a new fleet on a three to five-year cycle, is an example of strategic asset renewal for kerbside collections. This will continue whether the collection system remains in-house or is managed by external contractors.

4.2.1.2 COMMERCIAL SECTOR COLLECTION

Commercial premises and not-for-profit organisations (non-residential) customers are generally required to seek, manage and fund their own waste and recycling requirements through commercial contractors.

Commercial and Industrial (C&I) waste will generally include material generated from activities including education and health as well as manufacturing, governments and related agencies, restaurants, factories and offices and other small to medium business enterprises. These often occur through provision of skip bins (in a range of sizes). Source separation in in this sector is growing with cardboard, shrink wrap and plaster only skips offered.

Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste is largely made up of solid inert materials, many of which are heavy and can be recovered, which is again collected in skip bins or trucks and conveyed to landfill or recovered.


There is capacity for the Group to work with industry and Councils to investigate a number of opportunities including:

Extension of Council kerbside collection routes for a user pays recycling provision to service more small to medium business enterprises, and in the long-term potentially garden waste and ultimately food waste;

Investigate resource recovery opportunities with industry via waste stream mapping and resource availability awareness schemes; and

Understand and address the challenges commercial proprietors face including:

Limited reprocessors to received mixed industrial waste;

Distance to reprocessing facilities;

Cost to transport waste materials for recovery;

Source separation of material for collection;

Commercial in confidence matters; and

Physical space to accommodate a range of resource recovery receptacles.


4.2.1.3 HARD WASTE COLLECTION

The majority of Councils do not provide a kerbside hard waste collection (provision for households with the opportunity to dispose of items not normally accepted or possible to fit into garbage bins, for example, white goods and furniture) and residents are encouraged to utilise resource recovery centres. A couple of Councils provide landfill vouchers for disposal of hard waste materials. Central Goldfields Shire Council operates a hard waste collection on request (twice monthly) and Pyrenees Shire Council have committed to move from an annual hard waste collection to a tri-annual collection commencing in 2016/2017.

Dialogue from Councils generally indicates that kerbside hard waste collection is not a preferred recovery method because the evidence, benchmarking and information from other LGAs across the state suggests:

is expensive whereby collection costs more than double on a per household and per-tonne basis23;

has extensive risks associated with its operations;

provides poor public amenity

materials recovered decreased significantly, from 22% to 9%24, which is likely due to:

people collecting valuable material before the contractor arrives at kerbside (reducing the ability to off-set collection costs with revenue from recovered items)

collection processes, such as the use of compactor trucks, damaging items

23 Victorian Local Government Annual Survey trend data provided by Sustainability Victoria

4.2.2 RESOURCE RECOVERY CENTRES / TRANSFER STATIONS Resource Recovery Centres / Transfer Stations (RRC/TS) represent an important link in the infrastructure chain and are the most common waste and resource recovery infrastructure facility type across the region.

RRC/TSs receive a range of materials, some of which are not collected through kerbside services, as well as servicing residents without a kerbside service. They focus on recovering, sorting and/or consolidating recyclable materials for transport to sorting or reprocessing facilities and consolidating residual waste for transport to landfills. Some RRC/TSs have infrastructure for more problematic materials and products such as E-waste, mattresses and tyres. The RRC/TS facilities operate on a range of scales and some a standalone, others are collocated with landfill. A number of landfills have closed in recent decades and many of these have been converted to a transfer station.

Councils have realised the cost and operational efficiencies of RRC/TSs compared to landfills. Sorting of recyclable materials is encouraged by pricing structures.

Despite the expanse of the region, there is currently an equitable geographical network of RRC/TSs accepting a range of material for disposal or resource recovery, within a reasonable radius of the majority of populated townships – refer Appendix 7.

Improving the ability to recover more resources and manage the RRC/TSs to best meet the needs of the local community (such as opening hours) is an opportunity to ensure the facilities provide the best value for the Council, maintain reasonable access by the community and recover more resources.

RRC/TSs are detailed in Table 10 with their currently managed annual tonnages.

24 Victorian Local Government Annual Survey trend data provided by Sustainability Victoria



TABLE 10. COUNCIL MANAGED RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITIES

COUNCIL FACILITY TYPE TONNES CURRENTLY MANAGED

(ANNUALLY)


Ararat RRC 100 - 200 Elmhurst RRC <100 Lake Bolac RRC <100 Moyston RRC <100 Pomonal RRC <100 Streatham RRC <100 Tatyoon RRC <100 Willaura RRC <100


Bealiba TS <100 Carisbrook TS 1000 - 5000 Dunolly TS <100 Talbot TS <100

City of Ballarat Ballarat TS 5000 - 10000 Golden Plains Shire Council Rokewood TS <100

Hepburn Shire Council Creswick TS and Resale 1000 - 5000 Daylesford TS and Resale 1000 - 5000 Trentham TS and Resale 500 - 1000

Hindmarsh Shire Council

Dimboola TS 500 - 1000 Jeparit TS 100 - 200 Kiata Depot DO <100 Netherby Depot DO <100 Nhill TS 500 - 1000 Rainbow TS 100 - 200 Yanac Depot DO <100

Horsham Rural City Council

Horsham TS and RRC 1000 - 5000 Jung TS and RRC <100 Mt Zero (Laharum) TS and RRC <100 Pimpinio TS and RRC <100 Quantong TS and RRC <100 Toolondo TS and RRC <100

Moorabool Shire Council Bacchus Marsh TS 1000 - 5000 Ballan TS 1000 - 5000 Mt Egerton TS 200 - 300

Northern Grampians Shire Council Halls Gap TS <100 St Arnaud TS and LF 300 - 400 Stawell TS 500 - 1000

Pyrenees Shire Council

Avoca TS 200 - 300 Beaufort TS 1000 - 5000 Carranballac DO <100 Crowlands DO <100 Landsborough TS <100 Snake Valley TS 300 - 400

West Wimmera Shire Council

Apsley TS <100 Chetwynd TS <100 Dergholm TS <100 Edenhope TS 100 - 200 Goroke TS <100 Harrow TS <100 Kaniva TS <100


Beulah TS and RRC <100 Hopetoun TS and RRC <100 Minyip TS and RRC <100 Murtoa TS and RRC <100 Patchewollock LF and RRC <100 Rupanyup TS and RRC <100 Speed/Tempy LF and RRC <100 Warracknabeal LF and RRC <100 Woomelang TS and RRC <100 Yaapeet LF and RRC <100

Source: Compositional data from Sustainability Victoria 2015, Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3, Blue Environment 2016, Grampians Central West Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment and LGA information


Table 11 lists the number of RRC/TSs in the region by the Victorian categories, based upon annual tonnes received.

TABLE 11. NUMBER OF COUNCIL MANAGED RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITIES BY CATEGORIES25

CATEGORY TONNES NUMBER IN

REGION

1 Less than 1,000 51

2 1,000 – 3,000 8

Stockpiles at RRC/TSs are generally uncontrolled and amounts are very much estimated. Some material may be segregated at rural facilities but stockpiled for long periods. The material may biologically degrade (e.g. garden organics), reducing in volume over time. The reasons for stockpiling include it being financially unviable to transport some materials to reprocessing facilities or for mobile equipment to process the material on site. As data on recovered material is often not captured until it leaves the site, information on stockpiled materials may be missing from regional data.


RRC/TSs are considered to have sufficient capacity to meet growth in demand over the next ten years, subject to some general infrastructure and equipment upgrades, increased collection frequency of skips and storage to manage additional recovered materials.

Many centres require upgrades to improve the function, safety, recovery rates and operational performance so that they meet best practice guidelines26 which may include hardstand areas, shelters, accessibility and circulation, signage and so forth. RRC/TS facilities also need to be flexible and adaptable to the changes material types which could be expected to be managed.

Some Councils have investigated and audited a number of their RRCs, such as the West Wimmera Shire Council’s Rural Resource Recovery Centres Best Practice Review and Priority Improvements Program27 for the Kaniva and Edenhope RRCs respectively.

The City of Ballarat, given the limitations to the existing local TS facility, is considering a new TS site within the next four years, which will be required to accommodate adequate infrastructure to manage the revised operations. The new site is planned for the Ballarat West Employment Zone. The City existing compactor fleet deliver individually to the Smythesdale landfill site, and it is proposed to build a central receivable point for compactor delivery, and to transfer daily kerbside collection to the Smythesdale site via the City’s articulated vehicle. This proposed change to the City’s operation will deliver significant efficiencies to the kerbside collection system, improve resource recovery and related industries, and enhance quality control across the waste management system generally.

25 Sustainability Victoria 2009, Guide to Best Practice at Resource Recovery Centres 26 Sustainability Victoria 2009, Guide to Best Practice at Resource Recovery Centres 27 Impact Blue Pty Ltd 2014, West Wimmera Shire Council Rural Resource Recovery Centres Best Practice Review and Priority Improvements Program

Pyrenees Shire Council’s recently endorsed Municipal Waste Management Plan28 demonstrates the local commitment to continuous improvement at RRC’s. Recommendations include:

“That Council initiate a redesign of existing transfer stations to include “best practice” guidelines and detail cost estimate.

That regular monthly joint inspections of transfer station sites be conducted between the Contractor’s representative and Council Officers to review general “housekeeping” activities and that the Contractor provide improved manual handling equipment for each site.

That Council makes early submission to GCW WRRG for inclusion of upgrade works funding at Beaufort, Avoca and Snake Valley Transfer Stations as part of the Regional Planned Works for subsidy funding from Sustainability Victoria Infrastructure Grants, when they are reinstated. “29

Councils are constantly investigating and analysing the need to rationalise and consolidate RRC/TSs to create viable economies of scale to reduce costs, while improving operations, service and efficiency. It is worth noting that anecdotally in the central and eastern end of the Region people have generally suggested that the existing RRC service and distances are suitable whereby they do not need to drive more than 10 - 20 kilometres.

This is also a typical distance between many smaller country towns. For example, the majority of residents within the Central Goldfields Shire live within 15 kilometres of one of the Shire’s four RRCs.

If consolidation was to occur this would increase to a travel distance of around 20 - 25 kilometres and the Shire would only need two RRCs. Therefore, Councils need to consider the balance between the level of service to residents and proximity in conjunction with cost of multiple operations.

In the western sector of the region townships are more often 30+ kilometres apart and the RRC in the vicinity of 30 - 50 kilometres away from each other. An analysis of what is viable in relation to reasonable and equitable access is also needed in the west.

All Councils can continue to provide improved information and education to residents on the location of their nearest RRC, and incentivise their use.

RRCs generally benefit from resale centres. There is continual progression at medium and larger sites to provide resale shops. Examples of recent resale centre improvements include a shed expansion at the Carisbrook Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre (Central Goldfields Shire Council) and a new structure at the City of Ballarat Transfer Station.

Utilising social media, events and education campaigns across the region stimulates interest and awareness in resale centres at RRCs and two case studies are presented on the next page.

28 Pyrenees Shire Council 2015, Review of Council Municipal Waste Services and Waste Management Plan 29 The Group will support the Council in seeking funding support for upgrades that are strategically aligned with the Implementation Plan, if and when funding may be available.



“Hepburn Hot Trash” Facebook and Instagram Sites Launched

Council is excited to announce the launch of new Facebook and Instagram sites to facilitate the sale of goods through its tip shops at Daylesford, Creswick and Trentham transfer stations. The "Hepburn Hot Trash" Facebook and Instagram sites will be used to promote the sale of unusual and/or sought-after products in all three sites. Hepburn Shire Council CEO, Aaron van Egmond, said “Reducing waste to landfill, and the environmental benefits that come from that reduction, is a priority for Council. This initiative is just another way we are diverting waste from landfill.” "We look forward to seeing the popularity of the sites grow as people become aware of them. We will be working with interested community groups and the administrators of other sites focused on recycling to promote these pages," said Mr van Egmond. The sites will also be used to engage with the community by highlighting educational blogs and blogs that relate to recycling, upcycling and waste management. Source: Hepburn Shire Council Media Release 23 March 2016

Yarriambiack Tip Treasure Hunt Taking a very different approach to engaging their community about diverting material from landfill and increasing awareness of local opportunities to recycle and repurpose household items, Yarriambiack Shire Council produced their first Op Shop Tour brochure in 2012. The brochure highlights the range of op shops and second-hand shops that can be found in nearly all the small towns across the shire, from the Wheatlands Warehouse in Warracknabeal through to Flutterbys at Beulah. While many of these shops have the dual purpose of raising funds for charities, they are an effective way of encouraging the residents of Yarriambiack Shire to recycle, reuse and repurpose. After refurbishing their transfer stations in 2014 with new resale sheds with funding from Sustainability Victoria, the council also created the ‘Tip Treasure Tour’. Again another innovative promotion to encourage local residents to take advantage of the old maxim, ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’. Source: Yarriambiack Shire Council


4.2.3 MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITIES There are four Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) (Table 12) within the region and they are located at Daylesford, Horsham, St Arnaud and Ararat; a combination of private and Council operated facilities.

MRFs receive commingled recyclables from MSW and C&I waste streams collected by Councils or private contractors, and sort and send them to reprocessors. Non-recoverable materials are sent to landfill Materials leaving facilities include:

Aluminium

Steel (ferrous metals)

Plastic - sorted by plastic type 1-7

Plastic - mixed

Glass - mixed cullet

Paper and Cardboard

These materials usually originate from packaging. MRFs are not commonly designed to recover non-packaging materials like steel or plastic from toys or furniture or soft plastic like foils or plastic bags.

Recent closure of MRF’s in Horsham (WasteBusters) and Stawell (Vatmi) occurred due to lack of viability.


Future potential to expand or re-establish a MRF to sort and process recyclables in the region may depend on a number of factors including but not exclusive to:

willingness of Council and operators to run a MRF and the associated timing of council tenders for waste services contracts; and

how well such facilities compete with large-scale facilities, especially from those outside the region.

If recovery of industrial waste was enhanced, it would improve recovery outcomes. Pre-sorting of residual waste prior to it being disposal of at landfills would also recover additional recyclable materials from all sectors that could provide feedstock to MRFs, contributing to the economy and reducing reliance on landfill.

Relatively small quantities of some of the sorted materials are aggregated; this can create a barrier since markets demand minimum quantities. In these circumstances aggregation over long periods of time may be required to reach marketable quantities.

TABLE 12. MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITIES

COUNCIL FACILITY TYPE MATERIALS MANAGED

Ararat Rural City Council Downes Recycling Paper Cardboard

Hepburn Shire Council Daylesford MRF Mixed Waste / Recyclables

Horsham Rural City Council Horsham Green Waste Processing Mixed Waste

Northern Grampians Shire Council St Arnaud Recyclers EcoSwish Recyclables



4.2.4 REPROCESSING AND RECYCLING FACILITIES

Reprocessor; A facility that changes the physical structure and properties of a waste material, that would otherwise be sent to landfill, to add financial value to the processed material. Without reprocessing, the beneficial use of the material would be lost.

There are a range of reprocessing facilities in the region recycling resources. There are currently 21 private reprocessing facilities (listed in Table 13 and mapped in Appendix 7). Many of the reprocessors manage a primary material but also recover and reprocess a number of secondary material streams. The existing pathways for reprocessing as identified by SV’s 201530 reprocessor survey have been analysed accordingly.

The 2015 SV reprocessor survey31 found that approximately 20% of recyclate stays within the region and 80% is sent elsewhere for reprocessing. There are a number of material streams that are not reprocessed in the region or the existing capacity is limited. For some material streams, local management solutions may not be feasible, for example due to lack of local markets, or the need for specialised treatment technologies. Further investigation needs to occur on respective material streams and determine if there is potential to establish or expand reprocessing for some materials within the region.

A number of facilities listed as reprocessors do not actually recycle or reprocess the material on site, but may act as aggregation points for collected material prior to on-selling to recyclers outside the region or forwarding to parent companies. Continual improvements in facility definition, classification and associated data collection will continue to improve regional analysis of the network.

Some material may be recovered from the waste stream and stockpiled on site; it is not reprocessed or otherwise managed, and is not reflected in regional waste and material data. Material types that are often stockpiled on site for long periods include garden organics, tyres, metals, concrete, bricks and tiles.

Resource recovery and reprocessing has largely been driven by a ‘push’ to divert waste from landfill, which has been strongly supported by the community’s desire to recycle. This ‘push’ or supply of materials has not always been matched by consumer and industry ‘pull’ or demand for products made from recovered resources. This imbalance in supply and demand of recovered resources can result in stockpiles of these materials, and can reduce the viability of some resource recovery industries.32

30 Sustainability Victoria/SRU 2015, Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operations - Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Regional Report 31 Sustainability Victoria/SRU 2015, Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operations - Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Regional Report

Councils are also an important influencer in the acceptance of recycled materials in civil projects such as pavement and trench construction. They are both an end user on their own capital works projects and a specifier in instances such as subdivisional works, which are often contracted out to civil construction companies.

Councils that are proactive about recycling are not simply supporting the collection of materials from kerbside, they are actively specifying and procuring recycled materials for civil applications including pavement and trench construction.33

4.2.4.1 ORGANICS

Organic wastes are presented in a variety of forms:

food organics, including food waste from domestic and industrial sources (e.g. food manufacturers)

garden organics, including grass clippings, prunings, plants and leaves

wood and timber (excluding treated timber which cannot be recycled due to its impregnation with substances such as copper-chrome-arsenate)

other organics, such as biosolids, straw, agricultural processes.

Different types of organic wastes require different technologies and treatment systems; hence not all reprocessors can accept all types of organic waste, with some facilities specialising in one or more types. Data from the region34 estimates that more than 30,000 tonnes of organics was managed in the region in 2013/2014. This includes food organics (around 50%), garden organics (around 11%), wood / timber (around 9%) and other organics (around 31%, which includes biosolids, greasetrap waste, sludges, etc.).

There are at least six facilities in the region accepting, aggregating and/or reprocessing organics. Castlegate James manages around 40 - 50% of the organics total and is the only facility which accepts food waste) and Calleja Transport (40 - 45% of the organics total) are major reprocessors of organic materials.

The Horsham Garden Recycling Centre and Dunolly Second-hand Timber Yard manage significantly smaller volumes. Central Goldfields Shire Council currently operate an in-vessel composting facility, which manages the garden waste from its voluntary kerbside organics collection. The facilities produce a range of composts, soil conditioners and biodiesel.

Community expectations around the operation of facilities are likely to minimise the establishment of open windrow composting.

It is noted that a number of RRC/TSs and landfills stockpile garden organic waste; this is not included in data on the amount of organics managed in the region as it does not leave the site where it is deposited.

32 Sustainability Victoria, 2016 Victorian Market Development Strategy 33 Sustainability Victoria, 2016 Victorian Market Development Strategy 34 Sustainability Victoria/SRU 2015, Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operations - Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Regional Report


This organic material is either mulched and utilised by Councils in horticultural practices at parks and reserves (or occasionally offered to the community), used for daily cover or rehabilitation of landfills or sometimes burnt.

Consequently, there are higher amounts of this material available for reprocessing than is accounted for in the data.


A “one size fits all” approach to organic waste management fails to recognise the unique challenges of service delivery in metropolitan, regional and rural settings or the opportunities for managing organic waste for local benefits. Thus, individual solutions, relevant to scale and viability, will need to be determined for each locality.

Notwithstanding, appropriate sites for facilities to manage organic material will be needed in the region. The Victorian Organics Resource Recovery Strategy35 states that:

Identify appropriate co-location sites, through the development of Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans (RWRRIPs) that have the appropriate buffers and social licence to operate to receive, process or treat organic waste

This directive is built into the actions of this Implementation Plan.

There is a need and opportunity to increase the collection and reprocessing of organics garden waste across the region. This occurs at some LGAs but not the majority and the existing and proposed facilities could cater for this additional demand.

The City of Ballarat has commenced an organics garden waste kerbside collection service from July 2016. Reprocessing of the collections will be managed locally, at the proposed Mt Wallace composting facility located within Moorabool Shire Council. This and other prospective facilities may progress the region to having ample capacity and strengthen respective local and regional markets.

Many industries are significant generators of organic material and accurate organics data may never be captured as the material may be used for economic benefit without further reprocessing.

There is potential for improved solutions for garden organics currently processed further. It is worth noting that organics are recovered in the region in a number of other ways including:

the wine industry can benefit from compost and mulch;

Councils chip garden and woody waste to produce a raw mulch which does not have an end market but is utilised in their own horticultural practices and in some locations made available to residents as mulch;

mulch is used in combination with soil as a weekly or daily cover at their landfill;

aquatic plant material harvested from Lake Wendouree and donates to the community to take as they wish for domestic horticultural use such as mulch;

composting of a wide range of materials into certified composts and soil additives; and

reuse of clean timber in MDF and particle board.

The continuation of this organic material re-use for other beneficial outcomes is admirable and should wherever practicable and viable be promoted.

Councils have advised that their issues with garden organics relate to contamination by way of what impurities are included when the material is received, the ability to chip garden organics down to a smaller size for composting, stockpile management and the ability to functionally dispose of or sell the end material.

It may be warranted for relevant stakeholders in the Region to continue to examine potential agricultural sources for organics reprocessing such as wheat protein, stubble and any other suitable by-products.

35 Sustainability Victoria, 2015 Victorian Organics Resource Recovery Strategy



TABLE 13. REPROCESSING OR RECYCLING FACILITIES

BUSINESS NAME PRIMARY FACILITY TYPE OTHER MATERIALS

REPROCESSED LGA

Dunolly Second-hand Timber Yard Organics Wood Timber Central Goldfields Shire Council

Ballarat Concrete Recycling Aggregates, Masonry & Soil

City of Ballarat

Ballarat Regional Industries Paper / Cardboard Organics Wood Timber

Ballarat Scrap Metal Recyclers Metals

Berrybank Farm (CIFE) Organics Other

Castlegate James Organics Food

Chris Bev Pty Ltd Aggregates, Masonry & Soil

Garden Recycling Centre Organics Garden Aggregates, Masonry & Soil, Mixed Recyclables

Kings Marine Stores Metals Beverage Containers

KKC Pty Ltd Aggregates, Masonry & Soil Organics Wood Timber, Metals, Plastics

Onesteel Recycling Metals

Paper Freight Australia Paper / Cardboard Plastics, Glass

Repeat Plastics Australia Plastics Paper / Cardboard

Western Gypsum Aggregates, Masonry and Soil Golden Plains Shire Council

Davo's Worm Farm Organics Garden Hepburn Shire Council

Axis Worx E-waste Plastics

Horsham Rural City Council Manhari Metals Metals

WestonVic Waste Aggregates, Masonry & Soil

Calleja Transport Organics Garden

Organics Wood Timber / Other; Metals; Paper / Cardboards; Aggregates, Masonry and Soil

Moorabool Shire Council

Grampians Recycling Paper / Cardboard Northern Grampians Shire Council

Beaufort Hospital Bioenergy Plant Organics Wood Timber Pyrenees Shire Council

Disclaimer: Every effort was made to identify all reprocessors, but this does not guarantee that all were identified.


4.2.4.2 PLASTICS

There are at least five reprocessing facilities in the region which manage plastics. These facilities managed around 2,000 tonnes of plastics in 2013/2014. The majority (approximately 90%) of plastics are managed by two reprocessors in the region and both of these are based in Ballarat being Repeat Plastics Australia and KKC Pty Ltd.

Note that there are differing types of plastics and reprocessors may focus on managing only one or a few different forms or resin types. Reprocessor survey reports (Sustainability Victoria 2015c) indicate the types of plastics reprocessed in the region include timber replacement products, mixed plastic packaging and high density polyethylene.

Recent consultation sessions with Councils and the waste industry has identified a potential issue with flexible plastics used in agricultural enterprises across the region. Flexible plastics is an issue and priority material identified in the Victorian Market Development Strategy36.

“There is no specific data on the generation or recovery of flexible plastics. However, the volume disposed of to landfill in Victoria annually, is thought to be in the range of 74,000 – 108,000 tonnes in 2011/2012”

Grampians Central West is one of the largest agricultural regions in Victoria. A large volume of flexible plastic is used, including silage wrap, grain bags, bunker liners and twine, just to name a few. However, while the usage of these products in agriculture is well known, there is little or no data on the disposal of these plastics in the region. It is possible that farmers may be disposing of flexible plastic products on their own property.

There are instances of Councils considering or even accepting material from farms, but were unable to identify an end market. A number of community organisations and private operators have also collected and baled flexible plastics, but sound end markets have not been established.

Plasback, the voluntary product stewardship program for the flexible plastic industry, has estimated that less than 200 tonnes of this material has been recycled in Victoria each year since 2008. This is largely due to a decline in market price of 70%, making it uneconomic to collect.

This waste stream represents an opportunity in the region for potential resource recovery and further investigation into opportunities to recover this material stream at a local and regional level is required.


There are opportunities to grow processing capacity and the range of plastics recycled where there are local markets. Many of the existing plastics reprocessors in the region have been successful because of their market niche. There are opportunities to grow the sector by targeting specific types of plastics (utilised by industry in the region), including problematic plastics such as silage wrap, baling twine, irrigation pipe, mattress foam, and other hard plastics and plastic films, particularly from the C&I and agricultural sectors. The larger agricultural region provides an opportunity to investigate further resource recovery solutions which may include the feasibility examination of a reprocessor if feedstock can be secured.

4.2.4.3 PAPER AND CARDBOARD

There are at least six reprocessing facilities managing paper and cardboard. These facilities managed approximately 12,000 tonnes in 2013/201437. Well over half of all paper and cardboard managed is by two processors; with the four smaller specialised paper and cardboard reprocessors managing the remainder.


There may be opportunities to increase the volume of paper and cardboard recovered and reprocessed as only 8% of the material is recovered and managed in the region and this is a higher value commodity.

36 Sustainability Victoria, 2016 Victorian Market Development Strategy

37 Sustainability Victoria/SRU, 2015 Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operations - Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Regional Report

Community Resource Recovery and drumMUSTER Campaign Approximately 21,000 agricultural chemical drums have been collected per annum at various receival locations across the Hindmarsh Shire Council. Community and not for profit organisations have erected multiple receival points, collecting over 18,500 drums each year and claiming a financial benefit for each drum. The Shire’s transfer stations provide an alternative collection point and collected almost 2,500 containers over the last twelve months. Cardboard is collected and transported from Nhill and Rainbow to the Dimboola Lions Club depot for packaging. The Jeparit Angling Club packages cardboard at Jeparit for recycling. Hindmarsh Shire Council subsidise these organisations for transportation costs from their facility to the recycling facility. Local sporting and service clubs also collect newspapers for recycling. Source: Hindmarsh Shire Council



4.2.4.4 AGGREGATES, MASONRY AND SOIL

Around 17,500 tonnes of aggregate materials were managed in the region in 2013/201438 by five reprocessors. There is adequate processing and resource recovery capacity in the region to manage projected amounts of aggregates, masonry and soil, which are mainly recycled or managed through non-landfill means.


There is an opportunity to further investigate market opportunities for VicRoads certified recycled products like road base from crushed concrete to be utilised as well as for use on farm tracks and trails.

Recent closure of concrete reprocessors in Stawell (Stawell Concrete Repository) and Ballarat (David Eldridge Pty Ltd) has occurred generally due to lack of viability and/or business direction changes.

While there is sufficient existing capacity to manage aggregates, masonry and soil in the long term, the current low rate of recovery suggests that there are opportunities to significantly increase recovery. Some of this material is currently stockpiled at transfer stations or is deposited direct to landfill. In order to achieve further recovery, there is an opportunity to establish residual waste treatment and recovery prior to landfill. Infrastructure that could be used includes mobile crushing equipment (to process stockpiled material at sites across the region) and infrastructure to sort C&D waste (e.g. at a ‘dirty’ MRF in a treatment and recovery precinct).

This could potentially form part of a treatment precinct, for example incorporating a dirty MRF with the proposed Ballarat energy from waste facility. Further investigation of the feasibility of this would need to be undertaken.

4.2.4.5 E-WASTE

There is only one E-waste reprocessor known to operate in the region, Axis Worx, based in Horsham, who operate as a social enterprise. In 2013/2014 they managed around 200 tonnes of E-waste39. Axis Worx are keen to manage and reprocess more E-waste from the region.


As previously outlined, the Victorian Government has committed to banning E-waste from landfill ban, which would increase the need for sorting and processing solutions and infrastructure. There is a need to encourage Axis Worx initially, as the sole E-waste reprocessor to ensure future viability and the capacity to service and retain an E-waste solution in the region.

38 Sustainability Victoria/SRU, 2015 Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operations - Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Regional Report

4.2.4.6 GLASS

There is currently no glass reprocessing in the region. There is only one reprocessor of glass, Paper Freight Australia (based in Ballarat), who primarily reprocess paper and cardboard and undertake a small glass reprocessing activity which manages around 10 tonnes of glass waste per year.

Whilst there have been some previous efforts to provide a facility to deal with crushed glass to be used as part of the mix in pavement or road base, to date none have come to fruition.


The cost versus benefit of smaller scale glass crushing needs to be evaluated, as there may be opportunities for viable products to use this material as in road base and pipe bedding.

Further investigations of local reprocessing options for glass are required in the longer term.

4.2.4.7 RUBBER (TYRES)

There is no regional reprocessing of rubber (tyres). Councils source collection and processing services with tyre reprocessors in the metropolitan Melbourne region.

Recycled tyre rubber can be used to manufacture new products or as an alternative fuel for the cement and paper manufacturing industries. However, with the cost of transporting tyres from regional or remote locations to reprocessing facilities, many end up in stockpiles. Stockpiled tyres are a considerable fire risk and provide a breeding ground for vermin and mosquitoes that harbor viruses such as dengue fever.

New and innovative ways to increase the recovery and recycling of tyres from landfill and stockpiles is continually occurring due to the significant volume. These include portable manufacturing plant capable of processing end-of-life tyres at their location before transporting the tyre chip back to a main location for reprocessing into powders and granules for new products. While there are mobile shredders available on the commercial market, these machines reduce tyres in size by tearing them apart with force and, as a result, the output is only suitable for landfill.

Within the Northern Grampians Shire Council area, the Used Tyre Recycling Corporation (UTRC) are responsible for a site with an estimated stockpile of anywhere from ½ to 10 million tyres. An economic, social, environment and technical analysis of mechanisms to tackle the stockpile across four streams: shredding to landfill, licenced containment, mechanical treatment and, thermal treatment, was completed. Shredding to landfill and mechanical treatment (crumb rubber) came out the best, respectively and the Council is investigating options.

39 Sustainability Victoria/SRU 2015, Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operations - Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Regional Report


UTRC is working with Grampians Country Fire Authority and the Northern Grampians Shire Council to establish appropriate fire breaks and has completed an Emergency Management Plan in accordance with the EPA notices.

UTRC are required to expand their facility to operate their tyre reprocessing and are currently sourcing additional applications, permits and re-vegetation requirements.


Continue to investigate improved methods to recover and reprocess rubber (tyres) regionally including collective procurement opportunities.

With further investigation, and if a processing facility develops at the UTRC site, it could be well positioned to be able to receive feedstock from our region and beyond, to become a regional tyre reprocessing facility.

4.2.4.8 METALS

Around 18,000 tonnes of metals were managed in 2013/201440 by a few minor entities that aggregate metal materials, with the vast majority managed by one reprocessor. Metals is one of the materials with a higher percentage recovered and indicates reasonable recovery activities occur compared to state averages.


Continue to investigate improved methods to recover metals including scrap metal procurement opportunities.

It is acknowledged that metals may be one of the commodities that is most volatile when it comes to financial markets and pricing and as such it needs to be flexible and adaptable to the trends of reprocessing in good times and stockpiling in poorer financial periods.

4.2.4.9 TEXTILES

There is no reprocessing of textiles within the region. Within the region manufacturers, post-industry and retail textiles are mainly recycled via charities although some, such as faulty rolls and imperfect productions (exact quantities are not known), go directly to landfill. Further work needs to occur to identify resource recovery opportunities and volumes.

Mattresses and their textiles materials are generally transported outside the region for reprocessing.

The City of Ballarat is currently working with SV to establish a recycling and research facility to manage mattresses and other difficult to dispose of items, such as soft furnishings. The City is looking to do this in partnership with Ballarat Regional Industries (BRI), and to deliver a further employment opportunity for people with disabilities.


There may be opportunities for niche facilities reprocessing materials such as textiles, although the feedstock availability and feasibility of such facilities is uncertain with manufacturing decline.

40 Sustainability Victoria/SRU 2015, Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operations

Continue to foster partnerships to undertake research and investigate improved methods to recover and reprocess textiles including collective procurement opportunities (mattresses). This material resource activity should also explore the potential for social enterprise employment opportunities as the operational aspect may be aligned to this manual process.

4.2.5 ENERGY FROM WASTE The region has been innovative over the years in relation to Energy from Waste (EfW). A number of projects of varying scale (outlined below) demonstrate the investigations and resultant solutions that have proved beneficial to operators and communities.

There have been a number of investigations on the feasibility of establishing an EfW facility in the Ballarat area, including in the Ballarat West Employment Zone. Investigations to date include a facility that would accept MSW, C&I and C&D residual waste streams and recover materials (e.g. through establishment of a ‘dirty’ MRF) and produce energy, including electricity. The City of Ballarat has done extensive investigative work, including establishing a memorandum of understanding with an offtake partner to receive one of the end products – electricity, and identifying a designated site immediately adjacent to the proposed transfer station to provide for synergy between these two uses. The City envisages private sector investment and continues to explore partnerships with potential parties with the aim of developing a facility in the 5+ year timeframe. Should this facility be established, it will have implications on the broader infrastructure managed by Council, in particular the Smythesdale landfill site.


There is a need to continue to investigate the range of EfW technologies, determine local and regional solutions if practicable and embrace them where viable, especially considering the availability of broader scale agricultural waste and resources. This may require the development of feasibility studies and to acquire data of industrial / agricultural waste generation and energy needs (for commercial biogas or other local energy solutions).

A number of Councils are supportive of EfW investigations with improved sorting and feedstock production and the Group should continue to work with respective Councils. For example, the Pyrenees Shire Council Waste Management Plan recommends that the Council promote the introduction of regional solutions with the Group, including the reintroduction of regional garden waste shredding, soil conditioner production and use, and investigation into EfW Systems.

Three regional case studies of Energy from Waste are outlined on the next page.

- Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Regional Report



Beaufort Hospital Bioenergy Project Like most small rural hospitals, Beaufort is facing the challenge of rising costs and shrinking budgets. The hospital currently uses LPG for heating and hot water and this fuel currently costs the organisation around $60,000 per year. The Central Highlands Agribusiness Forum (CHAF) and the Pyrenees Shire Council identified the hospital as an ideal demonstration site for bioenergy. The Regional Bioenergy Project was developed out of this recognition. A heating study of the hospital was commissioned and boiler specification developed. Tenders were then sought to provide a biomass boiler system to heat the hospital based on these specifications. In July 2013 a New Zealand company, Living Energy, was appointed to carry out the boiler installation. The new boiler is a 110 kW Hargassner boiler manufactured in Austria. It’s housed in a modified shipping container which is both boiler house and fuel store. The containerised system allowed the installation to proceed quickly with minimal impact on hospital operations. It also gives the flexibility of being relocatable should the need arise. Fuel for the boiler is supplied from the Pyrenees Timber sawmill at nearby Chute. The installation is complete and viewing windows allow the public to see it in operation. IPWEA 2015 Finalist Excellence award and 2016 LGPro Winner Excellence award Source: Beaufort Hospital Bioenergy Project Investment Case Study, Sustainability Victoria

Kaniva Biodiesel Project Kaniva farmer Steve Hobbs' has developed a biodiesel plant that uses a small-scale gasification plant and the processing of waste through pyrolysis. It works by turning beans and legumes into diesel to run machinery What began as simply a process to produce renewable fuel has now become something more. He says that

“Agriculture is facing its biggest challenge in history - to produce as much food in the next 50 years as has been produced in all of history. Increased climate variability aside, for food to remain cheap agriculture has to source the energy to grow food from affordable sources. People don’t stop to think that everything we grow on the farm is a source of energy, we just have to work out how to use that energy more effectively. The crops we grow are effectively break crops that would not be used for food. At the same time, I am producing a high quality feed for my sheep and reducing the financial risk associated with growing higher risk crops such as legumes.”

Source: Bioenergy and Agriculture Case Study Series 1.3, Victorian Government

Berrybank Farm, Windermere Project: Waste management system consisting of an anaerobic digester that turns piggery effluent (waste) into biogas

to generate electricity energy, potting mix and an odourless organic fertiliser and the nutrient-rich water is recycled for irrigation purposes.

Objectives: To minimise waste and convert effluent into energy and fertiliser. To alleviate pollution concerns and provide

savings and steady returns to the company. Status: Operating since 1989. Outcomes: Energy and water savings, revenue diversification and positive community amenity. Challenges: Large-scale, innovative project using knowledge and machinery not readily available in Australia at the time. Next Steps: Look for more opportunities to maximise energy use such as a cooling system for the piggery. Source: Berrybank Farm Investment Case Study, Sustainability Victoria


4.2.6 ASBESTOS Asbestos is a Prescribed Industrial Waste (PIW); a category of waste that is out of scope for this plan. However, given that asbestos is a waste that is relevant to so many across the region, a short analysis of its current status has been included. Managing asbestos safely is a major regional and statewide priority.

Asbestos is a silicate mineral made up of tiny fibres that form a dust when disturbed. Asbestos fibres breathed into the lungs can cause a range of health problems including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos was previously used extensively in building products in Australia. All use, import or manufacture of asbestos was banned completely in Australia by 2003. The landfills accepting asbestos are noted in Table 24 in the Infrastructure Schedule (Section 6.3), with Dooen, Smythesdale and Statewide Regional accepting small quantities of domestic asbestos and accepting commercial quantities.


The disposal locations for domestic asbestos are in reasonable vicinity to three key regional centres, but for many people located in rural areas, disposal sites are often more than 100km away. This contributes to inappropriate disposal, such as illegal dumping and concealment of asbestos materials in domestic waste, and therefore the risk to the community, and to landfill or transfer station staff, as well as a cost to Councils.

Accepting asbestos-bearing material through appropriate infrastructure at transfer stations and subsequent transfer to a licensed landfill for disposal is a mechanism to address these problems. The Domestic Asbestos Working Party41 developed the 2011 Managing domestic non-friable asbestos at resource recovery centres guidelines for facilities receiving non-friable asbestos from domestic sources. The Group supports this guideline and compliance with relevant regulations to underpin the greater availability of responsible and accessible disposal options at transfer stations, education and training, as well as Councils obtaining appropriate insurance coverage.

Councils have specific responsibilities in emergencies, such as bushfires, that are outlined in municipal emergency management plans. They should have a public health emergency management sub-plan that outlines specific public health issues that could arise in their area and how to manage them.

41 Prepared on behalf of the former Association of Victorian Regional Waste Management Groups, and with representation from EPA, WorkSafe Victoria, SV, Department of Health,

4.3 LANDFILL INFRASTRUCTURE

Landfills are an important part of the region’s current waste management infrastructure for disposal of materials produced by society that are unable to be recovered. While disposal of materials to landfill is the least preferred option for waste management and resource recovery is recommended, landfills will continue to be required to manage those wastes that cannot practically be removed from the waste stream.

Landfills can pose significant risks to the environment, human health and local community amenity if they are not well sited, constructed, managed and rehabilitated after the landfill closes. The sources and levels of risk posed by landfills change with the age, phase of the landfill lifecycle, its siting, construction standards, the types of waste accepted and the management controls in place. Good management requires landfill risks to be identified, assessed and managed in a timely and cost effective manner during both its open and closed phases.

This plan seeks to reduce reliance on landfill, with the recovery of organics being one element. A reduction in the amount of organic material going to landfill has a direct influence on the impact by reducing methane generation and leachate.

Older active or closed landfills can pose risks; a legacy of being sited and built to the standards that were accepted as good practice at that time, but were less stringent than the standards applied since 2010. Thus recent work has focused on improving the infrastructure located at existing landfills: retro-fitting monitoring structures and constructing new landfill cells to industry best practise standards. Whilst more resource intensive and regulated, this ensures landfills are developed and managed to protect human health, public amenity and the environment.

Figure 12 shows the approximate locations of each of the licensed landfills as well as the Councils which use them. Generally, the three licensed putrescible landfills act as regional landfills for neighbouring Councils. Moorabool Shire Council and Golden Plains Shire Council send some of their putrescible waste to the Metropolitan region.

Refer to Part 6.3 and Table 24 in the Infrastructure Schedule for all landfill information.

Municipal Association of Victoria, Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support Incorporated and the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council



FIGURE 12. LANDFILLS USED BY EACH COUNCIL

The four main licensed landfills and 12 landfills exempt from licensing in the region, (Table 14, Part 6.3 and Appendix 7B), take varying amounts of residual waste and consequently play different roles in the region.

Landfills serving more than 5,000 people are required to hold a licence from EPA to operate. Landfills serving smaller populations (<5000), are exempt from licensing, however are required to meet all relevant guidelines and conditions.

It should be noted that the landfill levy is classified in to two categories, Metropolitan/Provincial and Rural. In the region, four Councils are located within 100km of Melbourne. Two Councils are categorised as ‘Metropolitan/Provincial’, - the City of Ballarat and Golden Plains Shire Council. Hepburn and Moorabool Shire Councils are categorised as ‘Rural’ attracting lower levies.42

The data on the volumes of waste managed at the smaller unlicensed landfills is varied and sometimes not available, especially at smaller remote/rural landfills. However, the tonnages accepted at these are likely to be very small. This small volume should be considered when determining their viability and future options.

Current airspace, throughput and characteristics for each of the landfills in the region has been analysed. A number of scenarios were modelled to examine the different impacts on landfill airspace requirements over the 10-year life of the plan. Table 15 outlines the modelled scenarios and outcomes identified.

42 EPA Victoria June 2015, Calculating the Landfill Levy and Recycling Rebates Publication 332.6


TABLE 14. OPERATING LANDFILLS IN 2015/2016

LANDFILL NAME FACILITY OWNER ANNUAL TONNAGES MANAGED (2013/14)

AVAILABLE SPACE

(YEARS)

ESTIMATED REMAINING

CAPACITY (m3) ARARAT RURAL CITY COUNCIL Elmhurst Resource Recovery Centre and Landfill

Ararat Rural City Council N/A 3 Minimal

Lake Bolac Resource Recovery Centre and Landfill


Moyston Resource Recovery Centre and Landfill

Ararat Rural City Council N/A 0 0

Pomonal Resource Recovery Centre and Landfill


Streatham Resource Recovery Centre and Landfill


Tatyoon Resource Recovery Centre and Landfill


Willaura Resource Recovery Centre and Landfill


GOLDEN PLAINS SHIRE COUNCIL

Smythesdale Landfill City of Ballarat 62,000 20 225,000

HORSHAM RURAL CITY COUNCIL

Dooen Landfill Horsham Rural City Council 27,000 30 1,015,100

MOORABOOL SHIRE COUNCIL

Maddingley Brown Coal Maddingley Brown Coal Pty

Ltd 440,000 19 ~9,000,000

NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE COUNCIL Statewide Waste Regional Landfill Statewide Waste Pty Ltd 31,000 28 693,000 St Arnaud Transfer Station and Landfill


N/A 2 N/A

YARRIAMBIACK SHIRE COUNCIL Patchewollock Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre

Yarriambiack Shire Council N/A 10 N/A

Speed/Tempy Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre


Warracknabeal Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre


Yaapeet Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre


Source: Sustainability Victoria 2015, Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3, Blue Environment 2016, Grampians Central West Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment and direct information from Landfill Duty Holders.

TABLE 15. SCENARIOS MODELLED FOR LANDFILL PROJECTIONS

SCENARIOS OUTCOMES

1 ‘Business as Usual’ (BAU) using existing per capita generation and recovery rates

The model is used as a baseline

2

Availability of regional landfill capacity changes, including early completion of existing landfills, development of additional capacity and/or new private landfills, etc.

The impact of a new landfill or closure of a site would impact only in the long term by extension of the life of the region’s landfills each by approximately one – two years and a reduction in the life of the region’s smaller landfills by four – five years respectively

3 City of Ballarat’s proposed EfW development comes to fruition

No impact in the short term May extend the life of the nearest landfill, Smythesdale, by approximately two to three years

4 Diversion of garden and food organics

May extend the life: Smythesdale landfill by approximately two years Statewide Regional Waste Facility by one year No impact on Dooen or Maddingley Brown Coal lifespan



Any relevant scenario modelled is expected to have a minor effect by extending or diminishing the life of any respective landfill for one to five years. Thus, with the estimated lifespan of all landfills in the region having the capacity to operate well beyond 2030 there is adequate airspace to cater for the region’s needs and there is no need for additional landfill airspace for at least the next ten years43.

Some minor amounts of residual waste generated in the region are managed outside the region. This includes a portion from the Moorabool and Golden Plains Shire Councils being deposited in landfills located in the metropolitan region. These landfills external to the region have ample capacity to service this need and should be included in respective regional implementation plans.

For reference, the region has considered the potential to utilise landfill airspace available in surrounding regions and has concluded that, in any scenario, there is no reliance on that airspace and there is ample capacity in surrounding regions to cater for this and any derived need.

It should be noted that none of the modelled scenarios take into account the impact of natural disasters. Major bushfires, floods and other natural disasters have been experienced in recent years across Victoria and the state is likely to experience similar events in future, potentially with increased recurrence due to changing climatic conditions. These events can generate the equivalent of as much as 15 years’ waste in a single event. If this waste is landfilled, it may significantly inhibit remaining airspace availability and impact on regional planning scenarios.

At present, these events are not a regular occurrence, the risk is deemed low to medium and would not have any significant long term implications on the region’s airspace and landfill needs. However, due to climate change44, these occurrences have the potential to increase, and the Group will continue work with Councils to test the impacts and plan for the future.

It is acknowledged that all licenced landfills will, as demand is required, continue to plan and apply for further cell development on their existing planning approved sites. This typically takes approximately 18 - 24 months, in advance of the cell being required. Each cell requires EPA works approval. It is estimated that additional cells are required every two years at some regional landfills.

Landfill airspace availability and progress of works approvals will be monitored regularly and reviewed every three to five years to ensure that planning, consultation and development requirements for any new required landfill airspace is undertaken in a sufficient timeframe.

A number of Councils and industries currently rely on the nearest accessible landfill for their MSW and residual waste needs. A risk exists, that if a closure was to occur, then these Councils and industries would be required to transport their waste a further distance to the next available landfill, potentially incurring greater cost.

43 Blue Environment 2016, Grampians Central West Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment.


With a risk approach, evidence-base, and a viability framework, the Group will work with respective Councils to continue to investigate the feasibility of rationalising small unlicensed landfills and replacing them with adequate resource recovery facilities or reasonable access to these facilities (often in rural areas).

The Group’s landfill position in this Regional Implementation Plan is:

The Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group does not consider that there is a demonstrated need for additional landfill airspace based on the airspace data analysis conducted in 2015/2016; and does not intend to proceed with expressions of interest for landfill in this point in time. This matter is to be reviewed within three to five years. No other Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Group has advised Grampians Central West of the need for landfill in this region.

Maddingley Brown Coal Landfill

Maddingley Brown Coal’s landfill in Bacchus Marsh receives a significant amount of its waste (largely inert waste) from the metropolitan region. This facility is the only landfill in the state permitted to receive shredder floc from the car and whitegoods recovery industries, which is why it is important to the statewide waste network and a hub of state significance.

This landfill provides a significant service to the metropolitan area, however it still has an important role in servicing the region. Section 3.2 outlined both the waste managed in the region (including the significant flows to this landfill) as well as separately demonstrating the mechanisms for managing the waste generated in the region. Maddingley Brown Coal is important for the region and the state, and will continue to play a pivotal role in landfill with its extensive long term air-space capacity.

Smythesdale Landfill Site

The Smythesdale landfill is a key piece of regional waste infrastructure and is a regional hub. It currently manages residual MSW waste from the City of Ballarat through kerbside collection, street sweeping and street bins, along with a significant portion of commercial waste. This facility also manages residual waste from a number of neighbouring LGAs.

The City of Ballarat has significant commitments to infrastructure maintenance and upgrades over the ensuing 10-year period including:

Cell construction on a yearly basis to accommodate 65,000 tonnes per year;

Video surveillance at receivable gate for quality control of received waste;

Expanded leachate receivable and treatment facility;

44 Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, November 2015, Climate-Ready Victoria Grampians Factsheet http://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/320887/Grampians.pdf


New wetland facility to treat stormwater exiting the site;

Perimeter security fencing; and

Progressive rehabilitation of cells as they are filled.

Statewide Waste Regional Landfill Site

This privately run landfill near Stawell, and regional hub, is licenced to accept commercial loads of waste including putrescible MSW, general residual waste from the C&I sector, asbestos and category C soil. Other waste types may be able to be accepted subject to approval. This landfill, due to its central location within the region and being accessible to the Barwon South West region, may be attractive to some operators and industries to transport their residual waste to this facility.

Dooen Landfill Site

The Dooen Landfill is operated by Horsham Rural City Council and is the only major landfill in the far west of the region servicing a number of small communities across a large area. As a regional hub it receives waste from the Shires of Hindmarsh, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack.

Dooen Landfill is at the smallest end of the scale to which the rigorous requirements of the Best Practice Environmental Management (BPEM) guidelines apply.

This means that there is a reduced economy of scale to fund the higher standard of works required to meet the guidelines, in particular when compared against much larger landfills. The Council is about to undertake a comprehensive risk assessment for the site, incorporating groundwater and air impacts. This risk assessment will lead to a better understanding of the site and may substantiate the application of the lower BPEM standards for the site’s construction and operations.

They are also developing strategies to reduce the volume of material disposed at Dooen Landfill to less than 20,000 tonnes per year, which may also enable application of the lower BPEM standards. The Council has recently received enquiries about the potential to dispose of waste at Dooen from outside the Grampians Central West Region.

Should this disposal commence, it may be in conflict with the objective of reducing the volumes received at the landfill, but may provide an improved economy of scale of operations at the site. Managing these conflicting priorities and maintaining viability presents a challenge to the Council, whilst intending to ensure that the cost of future landfill development is a balanced approach.

Landfills Exempt from Licensing

Of the twelve operating landfills exempt from licencing, plans are in place to close eight of these in the ensuing years, leaving only those in Yarriambiack Shire operating. These townships will be serviced by the major regional landfills and ensuring the availability of adequate resource recovery centres will be important as these facilities close.

Closed Landfill Sites

There are 105 closed landfills in this region all with varying ages, history and rehabilitation status. It is important that closed landfills are identified and any potential impacts to the community, public health and the environment are managed and reduced. The potential of adverse impacts depends on a range factors including the size, types of waste accepted, geology and natural features of the site, and how the landfill was constructed and rehabilitated on closure. The requirements for the rehabilitation depends on the risk of adverse impacts.

Smaller landfills typically pose significantly lower risks and therefore rehabilitation, monitoring and maintenance are less stringent than for larger landfills. With the trend towards larger landfills the rehabilitation requirements have changed in recent years, with current operational landfills needing to undergo meet more stringent guidelines when being rehabilitated.

The responsibility for the management and rehabilitation of closed landfill sites lies with the entity known as the ‘duty holder” of the site. In most situations this is the current landholder. The EPA manages and regulates this process. Further information on landfill requirements, from planning through to rehabilitation, can be found on the EPA’s website. Specific related documents include Best practice environmental management – Siting, design, operation and rehabilitation of landfills, and the Landfills Exempt from licencing 1999 and 2014 guidelines.

There is likely to be a number of landfills in the region that are closed but are not yet rehabilitated to required standards. Some Councils have indicated that they have closed landfills which were suitably capped and remediated at that point in time, however may not have documented EPA authorisation that it is ‘satisfactory and approved’. Obtaining this assurance is important for Councils from a long term strategic, operational and financial perspective. Some Councils also wish to continue to further rehabilitate sites by adding vegetation for amenity and environmental benefit.

In recognising that there may be some community concern about these landfills and their environmental or social impact, information, will be made available to the community during the consultation period and should be available from the duty holder at all times.

As outlined in Priority Action 5, the Group proposes to assist the rehabilitation process for these closed landfills by facilitating work between duty holders (mostly Councils) and the EPA to develop agreed risk-based assessment processes for rehabilitation of closed landfills that take into account the local context. If applicable to the respective site, this may adequately reduce environmental and human health risks of these landfills more efficiently than approaches that have occurred in the past.

Introducing more locally-appropriate, risk-based approaches may also reduce the cost of rehabilitation and therefore reduce the burden on local Councils while still achieving good human health and environmental outcomes. Many closed landfills are undergoing rehabilitation and some have completed remediation.

The closed landfill sites in some instances accommodate a RRC / TS. Some rehabilitated sites have reverted to uses such as freeways, open space and sports facilities or on land which has been sold.



Private (Own Waste) Landfills

There are a number of private (own waste) landfills in the region that can be categorised differently where they generate and deposit waste exclusively from a single source (arising from their own onsite activities), usually the owner/generator. They are not currently included in the scope of the State Infrastructure Plan and therefore do not fall under the scope of the Regional Implementation Plan.

The private (own waste) landfills are listed in Table 16, which are required to operate under relevant EPA Licences/Works Approvals. The exception is for mining operations that solely deposit mining wastes in accordance with the relevant legislation (Extractive Industries Development Act 1995 and Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990) and hold management licences issued by the Department of Health.

Private (own waste) landfills that are regulated by EPA will have a licence, which can be found through the EPA website or through the owners of the facility.

These private landfills do not play a direct part in the regional waste and resource recovery network. However, it must be noted that these sites are subject to change by way of the nature of corporate operations. This may mean that there is a risk that if these corporations close their respective landfilling activity on their private site or desire to deposit additional waste materials, there may be a need to source an alternative location for material disposal or upgrade approvals, licences and permits. The corporation concerned would be required to undertake all necessary investigations and will subsequently need to meet any EPA requirements associated with the proposed licence amendment and if required complete a works approval to the satisfaction of EPA.

There are also closed private (own waste) landfills licensed by EPA; some of these facilities are referenced in Section 6.5.

TABLE 16. PRIVATE (OWN WASTE) LANDFILLS IN THE REGION

SITE NAME LGA LOCALITY OWNER

Bamganie Landfill Golden Plains Shire Council Lethbridge All Vet Waste Pty Ltd

Bunkers Hill Sago Hill Waste Facility

City of Ballarat Bunkers Hill FMP Group (Australia) Pty Ltd

Iluka Resources Douglas Mine Site

Horsham Rural City Council Kanagulk Iluka Resources

Selkirk Bricks City of Ballarat Scotchman’s Lead Selkirk Group of Companies


4.4 WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY HUBS

The concept of hubs and spokes strategic framework is introduced in the State Infrastructure Plan whereby hubs are important locations where materials are managed, with supporting spokes that enable materials to be transported for resource recovery. Together they form a system that supports the aggregation of materials within a network for efficient resource recovery and management of waste materials.

The initial identification of a hub is the starting point to inform a discussion of its future; over the implementation phase the future of hubs in the region will be explored, including alignment with local planning schemes as appropriate.

Recovery and reprocessing infrastructure follows a model of local, regional and state hubs where:

State Hubs Service local, regional and state areas, receiving consolidated material streams and undertaking higher order recovery, reprocessing or management

Regional Hubs Service both local and regional areas, receiving materials from surrounding local hubs. They are usually more infrastructure-intensive, and are likely to include one or more facilities that sort, recover and possibly reprocess materials received

Local Hubs Are the first point of recovery for the community, and include transfer stations, resource recovery centres and resale shops. Sorting and consolidation activities are likely to be incorporated at these facilities in future; for environmental and economic reasons, landfills are likely to be excluded

Source: Sustainability Victoria 2015 Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan Victoria 2015 – 44

As defined in the State Infrastructure Plan, ‘an ideal hub has appropriate buffers between the waste and resource recovery facilities and incompatible uses to support the activities undertaken at that location. It has well established feeder-spokes and good access to transport networks. It is co-located or in close proximity to complementary activities that provide feedstocks or markets for the products and services, or share and utilise the same buffers. It is [economically] viable, minimises community, environment and public health impacts and contributes to the local and state economy.’

45 Sustainability Victoria 2015, Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan Victoria 2015-44

According to the State Infrastructure Plan45 the Grampians Central West region has two existing hubs of state importance, Maddingley Brown Coal Landfill and Statewide Waste Regional Landfill. Hubs are locations where materials are managed.

The Grampians Central West region’s waste and resource recovery state and regional hubs are listed in Table 17. All remaining individual facilities would be considered local hubs have not specifically been identified in this table below. It would be anticipated that Council waste management plans would address all local hubs in detail.



TABLE 17. WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY HUBS

WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY HUB

STATE / REGIONAL

DESCRIPTION OF HUB LOCATION STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT inc. KEY

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

Maddingley Brown Coal Precinct

S

Location: On the outskirts of Bacchus Marsh (Moorabool Shire) utilising open space and existing Brown Coal mine open cut site. Close proximity to metropolitan region and reasonable access to regional freeway Landfill: Operating solid inert Resource Recovery: Organics composting, concrete and aggregate crushing, soil screening and mulch; Proximity to Bacchus Marsh Transfer Station Buffers: Special Use Zone with 2 kilometre buffer distance for composting

Strategically located on the edge of the region and adjacent to the metropolitan region; Long term airspace availability (future stage 3 includes 4 million m3 of airspace); Future putrescible; Energy from waste composting EPA research; Nearby Industrial Park; Impacts of truck movements; Proximity to Bacchus Marsh Transfer Station

Statewide Waste Regional Landfill

R

Location: Five kilometres south west of Stawell (Northern Grampians Shire) utilising quarry site. Close proximity and reasonable access to regional highway Landfill: Operating Putrescible Resource Recovery: Nil Buffers: Reasonable buffer distance

Long term airspace availability; Central to the region; Rubber (tyres shredded) landfill cell; Consider pre-sort and recovery prior to disposal; Proximity to UTRC

Smythesdale Landfill R

Location: On edge or rural town Smythesdale and 20 kilometres south west of Ballarat (Golden Plains Shire) Situated on Glenelg Highway Landfill: Operating Putrescible Resource Recovery: Nil Buffers: Reasonable buffer distance

Long term airspace availability; Central to the growth area of the region; Properties within buffer zone and proximity to waterway

Dooen Landfill R

Location: 15 kilometres north east of Horsham (Horsham Rural City Council) Situated adjacent to Henty Highway Landfill: Operating Putrescible Resource Recovery: Nil Buffers: Reasonable buffer distance

Long term airspace availability; Central to the Wimmera region; Transport cost challenges; Clay for capping challenges.

Ballarat South Precinct (Ballarat Transfer Station, Garden Recycling Centre, Castlegate James, Chris Bev Pty Ltd)

R

Location: South western side of Ballarat located in Industrial area bounded by facilities such as Saleyards, Victoria Park and growth area Landfill: Nil Resource Recovery: Transfer Station; Organics Garden, Organics Food, Waste; Aggregates Masonry and Soil Buffers: Buffer distance relate to individual sites

Located in industrial precincts, however urban growth projected for Ballarat South West Growth Corridor

Wendouree Precinct (Onesteel, KKC, Paper Freight Australia, Ballarat Regional Industries)

R

Location: Northern side of Ballarat located in Industrial areas adjacent to Western Freeway Landfill: Nil Resource Recovery: Metals; Paper / Cardboard, Aggregates, Masonry and Soil, Organics Wood / Timber, Buffers: Buffer distance relate to individual sites

Located in industrial precincts and adjacent to major freeway. Some located adjacent to Ballarat West Employment Zone. Area built out so no encroachment issues

Repeat Plastics Australia R

Location: South eastern side of Ballarat Landfill: Nil Resource Recovery: Plastics; Paper / Cardboard Buffers: Reasonable

Horsham (Axis Worx, Horsham Green Waste Processing, WestonVic Waste, Horsham TS)

R

Location: South Western side of Horsham Landfill: Nil Resource Recovery: Organics Garden, e- waste, Aggregates Masonry and Soil Buffers: Reasonable in industrial areas

Located on major route through region Located in Industrial precincts


TABLE 17. WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY HUBS continued

WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY HUB

STATE / REGIONAL

DESCRIPTION OF HUB LOCATION STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT inc. KEY

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

Daylesford (MRF, RRC and TS)

R

Location: Northern side of Daylesford Landfill: Nil Resource Recovery: MSW Buffers: Reasonable

Co-location of sites

Western Gypsum R

Location: Rural area of Golden Plains Shire on reasonable road network Landfill: Nil Resource Recovery: Aggregates Masonry and Soil Buffers: Reasonable

Rural area

Proposed Hub Ballarat West Employment Zone

R

Potential future precinct for Energy from Waste, Transfer Station and associated industries Location: Western side of Ballarat with access to major road and rail networks and likely freight node Landfill: Nil Resource Recovery: Ability for a range of resource recovery industries Buffers: Planned and reasonable

State of the art new industrial, commercial and employment precinct with associated Freight Hub and transport network

4.5 FINANCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure, that is both strategic and enabling, supports regional industries to innovate, build resilience, and improve their adaptability to changing economic and environmental conditions. Investments in infrastructure solutions that demonstrate significant business and environmental sustainable outcomes in regional and rural areas are critical in providing a competitive environment, where existing and emerging industries can operate.

At the same time, they help lift industry standards and create or enhance the conditions for the Region’s growth.

Strategic infrastructure delivers innovative solutions to infrastructure constraints that have multiple beneficiaries and the potential to enable existing regional industries to expand. It also attracts new investment into regional communities, improves market access, creates new jobs and secures existing jobs.

Investment in enabling infrastructure recognises that access to efficient and sustainable management of key resources is critical to the long-term viability and economic success of regional Victorian industries. The Grampians Central West region must harness its key regional strengths to improve the productivity and liveability within the twelve LGAs.

There must be aspirations and a commitment to invest in major infrastructure projects and services to create or enhance the conditions for economic growth, and to build diversified and sustainable regional economies within the Grampians Central West that are resilient to change.

It is the desire of the Group and its stakeholders to advance investment in waste and resource recovery infrastructure to foster innovation, job creation and improved liveability. The Implementation Plan endeavours to lay a strong strategic foundation to guide planning and ultimately work towards leveraging private investment and help create jobs across the region.

The Implementation Plan’s priority actions, if implemented, will aid the region to position itself, for industry and Councils to apply for government funding when available and progress towards a more vibrant regional economy.

Environmental protection measures have in recent years driven improvements in waste management and resource recovery infrastructure. The cost of improved landfill engineering and management practices has resulted in a trend of rationalisation of landfills, with establishment of larger regional landfills, closure of small landfills and replacement with transfer stations. This trend is expected to continue at least over the next ten years in the region, and include pressure to discontinue using landfills exempt from licensing.

The industry trend is towards establishing advanced waste treatment and resource recovery technologies as an alternative to landfill disposal. This includes technologies such as gasification, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion and other technologies which recover resources and generate energy from waste. The use of such technologies can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions arising from the landfilling of waste. The technologies suited to MSW treatment require large amounts of waste to justify the large capital outlay involved, generally requiring annual throughputs in excess of 100,000 tonnes to warrant capital investment of over $30 million for most systems. These technologies are likely to be more feasible when considered on a regional scale, where access to sufficient feedstock may allow economies of scale to be achieved.

There are also some opportunities for development of small-scale technologies targeted to particular waste streams with high calorific value and suitable for condensed local populations (e.g. anaerobic digesters treating wet organics, energy generation from combustion/gasification of dry organics). This is more feasible when dealing with C&I waste streams close to the point of generation where there is on-site demand for energy or other outputs.



Beaufort Hospital is a good regional example of this, where timber off-cuts are used to fuel a biomass boiler system to heat the hospital.

The development of waste and resource recovery hubs can establish precincts which minimise environmental and community impacts, and facilitate investment in local infrastructure. This development would need to be supported through local zoning and planning frameworks, as well as access to transport networks. Conversely, transporting materials over sometimes long distances (to regional and state hubs) can have subsequent impacts on energy resources (mostly using non-renewable fossil fuels), road networks and accompanying health, safety and environment risks. Where feasible, local solutions for reuse and reprocessing can reduce the environmental footprint of waste management and resource recovery, and reduce accompanying risks.

A study completed for the Department of the Environment (DoE) 2009 explored the impact of waste and recycling on employment, indicating that for every 10,000 tonnes of waste landfilled 2.8 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs were created; if the same amount of waste was recycled, 9.2 FTE jobs were created. In addition to direct employment, indirect jobs are also created as a result of the additional economic activity of recycling. The DoE 2009 study cited US data indicating indirect employment varied according to the type of recycling undertaken; the largest employment multipliers were for (in descending order) plastics, aluminium, other metals, liquid paperboard, glass, wood and other paper.

However, while there are clear environmental benefits for increased resource recovery (such as resource efficiencies, reduced use of virgin materials, reduced energy use and reduced greenhouse emissions, to name just a few), the economic feasibility of resource recovery facilities in regional areas can be more complex and subject to a combination of a number of issues and barriers, including but not exclusive to:

capability and consistency of policy settings, regulatory requirements and procurement practices;

land use planning and availability of sites that meet benchmarks for community amenity and environmental protection;

local approaches and risks in each LGA;

the ability to attract sufficient material volumes and quality to reach viable economies of scale;

sourcing the large capital necessary for investment in infrastructure and equipment;

46 Sustainability Victoria Investment Facilitation Strategy and Service http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/our-

consumer and business demand for reprocessed materials and low cost/revenue margins in the resource recovery sector;

access to local, national or international markets and fluctuating commodity prices on an international market;

low re-manufacturing base in Australia;

transport costs and extensive distribution networks;

cross government coordination to support sector investment;

investor and government awareness of opportunities;

investor access to accurate sector data and information;

financial assistance for new technologies or relevant to the project scale;

the community’s willingness to pay for recycling/resource recovery services; and

market support for purchase of materials made from recycled materials.

The Group will work with Sustainability Victoria’s Investment Facilitation Service to assist with the delivery of the Investment Facilitation Strategy as it relates to investment opportunities within the Grampians Central West Region. The strategy46 provides a consistent and coordinated long-term approach to attract, inform and facilitate waste and resource recovery investment by:

identifying and addressing key barriers to investment in Victoria’s waste and resource recovery infrastructure to reduce risk and increasing the likelihood of success

promoting the type of advanced infrastructure identified in the State Infrastructure Plan that increases resource recovery to realise environmental, community and economic benefits

assisting the delivery of projects with improved technologies to increase resource recovery and effectively manage Victoria’s waste flows

identifying target investor groups and inbound investment markets that have the advanced technological, operational and financial expertise needed to achieve our objectives

utilising existing government investment attraction and facilitation services and networks to raise awareness of potential opportunities.

Many factors, as outlined in Table 18, influence the financial performance of infrastructure.

priorities/statewide-waste-planning/2015-2020-priorities/investment-facilitation-framework


TABLE 18. FINANCIAL FACTORS AFFECTING PERFORMANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE

FACTOR INFRASTRUCTURE

AFFECTED CURRENT SITUATION NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Financial: Economies of Scale

Collection, RRCs, MRFs, Reprocessors and Landfills.

Low population density makes it harder to achieve economies of scale. Few Council owned facilities have sufficient throughput to justify investments to upgrade facilities, install automated equipment or implement rehabilitation post closure management.

Competition with other facilities, particularly those in metropolitan Melbourne, which have automated systems, handle bulk volumes of multiple material streams.

The region should investigate:

Economies of scale within the region

Consolidation / rationalisation opportunities.

Advances in materials handling and transport efficiencies

Financial: Regulation

RRCs, MRFs, Reprocessors and Landfills.

Recent changes in regulation such as Landfill Best Practice Environmental Management (BPEM) and stricter licence conditions have had a significant impact on the cost of waste and resource recovery:

In undertaking land use planning, it is important consideration is given to maintaining separation distances and compatible land uses to avoid site closure and restrictions to operations, and the need for significant facility upgrades.

The increasing costs of landfill construction and operational requirements is a potential opportunity that may favour local and regional resource recovery solutions

Increased operational and compliance costs: The breakeven cost of landfill has risen significantly due to higher landfill design and post closure management standards, increased landfill levies and higher standards for the siting and operation of composting facilities, and compliance with best practice guidelines for RRCs. Further cost pressure may come from potential material landfill bans (for example: E-waste) or the requirement for pre-sorting.

Gap in financial assurance: The funds set aside by Councils to address the increasing compliance expenses and to cover the cost of remediation, rehabilitation and site post closure management may be insufficient.

The EPA has recently released updated guidelines for the calculation of financial assurance for landfill operators, which will, if implemented fully, ensure that landfill operators are making suitable provisions for long-term rehabilitation and post closure management.

Legacy issues: There may be a considerable delay between the newly introduced BPEM requirements and an overall reduction in environmental risk from landfill facilities.

There is a need to ensure landfills are progressively rehabilitated using a risk-based approach.

Financial: Viable Markets

RRCs, MRFs and Reprocessors.

Products sold on include crushed concrete, asphalt, bricks, packaging, glass, metal, steel, aluminium cans, paper and cardboard, and plastics (PE, HDPE and PET). Many of these markets have contracted in recent years. A significant barrier to the growth of the organics waste industry has been the absence of mature markets (for example, broadacre agricultural, viticulture, horticulture) and sustainable prices for products.47

There is a need to develop sustainable and viable markets (e.g. for organics), rather than stockpiling material.

There is an opportunity to use compost and mulch as landfill rehabilitation and any future energy from waste facilities.

Pursue greater (kerbside and industry) garden/food waste collection and reprocessing.

Continue to investigate energy from waste opportunities.

Financial: Waste Delivery Model

Collection, RRCs, MRFs, Reprocessors and Landfills.

Councils are increasingly recognising the benefits of transferring financial, operational and regulatory risk to the private sector by procuring waste services in line with strategic objectives.

There is an opportunity to strategically review the waste delivery model in the region, as part of a wider plan to consolidate / privatise infrastructure.

47 Sustainability Victoria 2015, Victorian Organics Resource Recovery Strategy



In summary, there are a number of other risks that effect the financial performance of the resource recovery sector and its related infrastructure and includes, but is not exclusive to:

Cost of transport and transport logistics;

Sources of funding for infrastructure;

Private industry interest and investment in resource recovery;

Trends towards larger resource recovery contractors resulting in difficulty in developing local markets / opportunities;

Market and commodities prices and the overall dynamics / viability / and potential failure of one or many of the material’s markets;

Waste service cost increases (for residents and impact on Council contracts);

Commercial operators undercutting Council operations;

Stockpiles and their management;

Infrastructure reaches capacity or asset failure;

Capacity of facilities to match growth / expansion;

Capacity of facilities to expand and accept new resource recovery material streams; and

Variation in community support for material separation and waste initiatives.

Community Attitudes

Local community attitudes to waste and resource recovery infrastructure are important in ensuring that sites have a social licence to operate. Inappropriate siting, inadequate environmental protection, poor site management or other social amenity issues can all result in community pressures on existing or proposed infrastructure, potentially impacting on the regional infrastructure network.

The Group is working with landfill operators to find the best ways to engage the local community in their operation and ensure there are open lines of communication between landfill operators and local communities to help improve acceptance of these sites.

4.6 LAND USE PLANNING AND THE TRANSPORT NETWORK

4.6.1 LAND USE PLANNING The successful development and operation of resource recovery and waste facilities is highly dependent on being located in places which allow businesses to operate viably, with long term certainty and in compliance with regulations without unduly impacting on local communities and the environment. This dependency is highly linked to land use and planning.

It is critical that this Implementation Plan aligns with all relevant planning policies, statutory planning controls and strategic planning documents.

This will promote consistent decision making by local and state governments and ensure waste and resource recovery facilities and hubs are planned and protected accordingly so that they can meet the regions needs for the long term.

The instances where infrastructure provision will interact with land use planning system are:

Where the continued operation of existing infrastructure could become restricted by virtue of encroaching incompatible land uses;

Where it is proposed to intensify or enlarge existing infrastructure;

Where there is a projected need for specific infrastructure in a specific location;

Where there is a projected need for additional infrastructure but the specific location is not known or is flexible; and

Where a planning scheme (or associated amendment) or other strategic planning document provide an opportunity for new waste and resource recovery infrastructure. For example, provision of industrial zoned land with good separation distances to sensitive land uses.

The Victoria Planning Provisions (VPPs), upon which all Victorian planning schemes are based, require all involved in planning, including Councils, to consider a number of relevant statutory policies such as State Environment Protection Policies and Waste Management Policies, and state government policies relating to, or impacting on, waste management and resource recovery.

Clause 19.03-5 of the VPPs, which relates specifically to waste and resource recovery, identifies that it is an objective of planning in Victoria to avoid, minimise and generate less waste to reduce damage to the environment caused by waste, pollution, land degradation and unsustainable waste practices. This clause states that planning decision-makers must consider any relevant regional waste management plans, including this Implementation Plan once approved.

Sound statutory planning would ensure that waste hubs are protected by sufficient setbacks to residential areas, with structure planning designating and appropriate zoning configuration to identify an appropriate separation distance from incompatible land uses, where possible. The circumstances of each location will need to be considered in articulating the most appropriate land use planning response.

Securing strategic sites for waste and resource recovery facilities by reserving them under regional planning schemes or respective methods may ensure adequate land is available when and where it is needed for development of waste and resource recovery activities.

The strategic plans across the region have some consideration for waste and resource infrastructure and associated planning, however, should over time and when reviewed, be strengthened to ensure all the principles and direction outlined in this Implementation Plan and other publications such as the Statewide Infrastructure Plan are embraced and included accordingly.


TABLE 19. STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS FOR NEW AND EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE

COUNCIL CURRENT SITUATION CHALLENGES, NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Ararat Rural City Council Ararat Economic Strategy 2014 Central Highlands Regional Growth Plan 2014

Western Highway duplication Regional rail linkage Renewable energy hub Proximity to Ballarat Industrial development sites Strong manufacturing sector


Central Goldfields Workforce Development Strategy Loddon Mallee Regional Growth Plan 2014

Close proximity to Ballarat and Bendigo Established workforce Steady population growth

City of Ballarat

IBM Smarter Cities Report The Ballarat Strategy Ballarat West Employment Zone Central Highlands Regional Growth Plan 2014

Major regional centre Major rail and road transport routes Significant industrial activity Planning for new industrial precincts and

employment zones Population growth area Proximity to major cities of Melbourne and

Geelong

Golden Plains Shire Council Golden Plains Economic Development Strategy Central Highlands Regional Growth Plan 2014 G21 Regional Growth Plan 2013

Population growth area Populations generally based towards Geelong

and Ballarat Comparative advantage in agricultural sector

Hepburn Shire Council Central Highlands Regional Growth Plan 2014 Strong tourism sector Diverse population Proximity to Melbourne, Ballarat and Bendigo

Hindmarsh Shire Council Hindmarsh Economic Development Strategy Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Growth Plan 2014

Strong agricultural sector Road and rail transport infrastructure Decreasing and aging population

Horsham Rural City Council Wimmera Development Association Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Growth Plan 2014

Regional hub Strong agricultural sector Road and rail transport infrastructure

Moorabool Shire Council Growing Moorabool Strategy Central Highlands Regional Growth Plan 2014

Population growth area Populations generally based towards

Melbourne and Ballarat Comparative advantage in agricultural sector


Municipal Strategic Statement Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Growth Plan 2014

Strong agricultural sector Strong tourism sector Road and rail transport infrastructure Static population

Pyrenees Shire Council Pyrenees Shire Growth Strategy Central Highlands Regional Growth Plan 2014

Strong agricultural sector Industrial land zone Duplicated Western Highway Rail infrastructure Decreasing and aging population

West Wimmera Shire Council West Wimmera Economic Development Strategy Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Growth Plan 2014



Yarriambiack Economic Development and Tourism Strategy Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Growth Plan 2014




4.6.2 THE TRANSPORT NETWORK The Transport Integration Act 2010 creates a framework for providing an integrated and sustainable transport system that contributes to an inclusive, prosperous and environmentally responsible state.

The road network across the region connects key regional cities and rural communities and includes a major interstate route. Respective local road networks in the vicinity of waste and resource recovery facilities must be suitable to cope with current and future demand to and from relevant sites. Most facilities in the region have adequate access with limited or no congestion but continual upgrade is required.

Transport is described as a significant cost and challenge to reprocessors, as much of the material that is processed in the region has to be transported large distances. Economy of scale and distance to travel may be a barrier to implementing cross-regional initiatives and programs, where the benefits are undone by the costs of transporting materials from small populations across large distances. It also competes against higher value products which command higher freight pricing.

With the continuous improvement and development of new technologies, innovative opportunities may arise for greater co-operation between neighbouring LGAs and regions where specific technologies may require a larger population base or local micro solutions may be established. Previous approaches have been focused within Council areas; proposed cross-regional initiatives to consider the opportunities from transport efficiencies to increase resource recovery are a new approach which may be more effective for all communities, but will need to involve Councils and ensure that local issues are appropriately considered.

Due to safety concerns and public amenity the management of traffic volumes in, around and between waste and resource recovery facilities must be considered and implemented to the best practicable extent.

48 Sustainability Victoria/SRU 2015 Survey and analysis of regional re-processors and materials recovery facility operators

The hours of operations, vehicle noise, road grime (mud/dust), increased cost of road maintenance, and movement of trucks on local roads may be a concern to local residents and councils. Planning and the introduction of controls can alleviate many of these problems; such as upgrading roads, restricting operating hours and speeds, careful location of access points, infrastructure to reduce mud and dust and traffic management.

The Grampians Central West Transport Network is focussed on road transport as the major mode of transportation, but could be better connected to other transport methods both within and external to our region, including rail and ports. It is acknowledged that any alternative methods to reduce transport costs and impacts, such as rail, would require significant capital investment to set up the appropriate infrastructure and logistics.

Transport costs are critical factors for the viability of recovering a number of material streams and viably is tested when transport costs (to the processor and to the end user) may exceed the cost of reprocessing or the value of the products. Heavy organic material is affected by transport costs. Lighter or bulky material, such as mattresses and polystyrene, are also impacted by transport inefficiencies.

The distance to Melbourne from the far western end of the region means that transport costs are high and impact on the feasibility of sending materials to metropolitan markets or markets in other regions. Similarly, from, the size and low density of the population in the far west of the state, and other areas further away from regional activity centres, makes it harder to get suitable economies of scale for the collection, sorting and reprocessing of many materials, and makes it difficult to operate recycling facilities with a sufficient competitive scale and an environment with lower landfill levies.48

– Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Regional Report.


Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) and Transport Planning

BWEZ is the region's engine room for jobs and economic growth over the next 20 years.

Stage 1 of BWEZ is being developed by the Victorian Government and the City of Ballarat supported by funding of $30.2 million. It includes:

An initial release of up to 60.1 hectares of industrial land in flexible lot sizes to suit a range of business needs

The construction of the main Boulevard entry road and internal roads within Stage 1

The provision of all services including, gas, electricity, water, sewer, data and telecommunications

The Stage 1 subdivision works commenced in November 2015 and are targeted for completion mid-2016. The first land sale in Stage 1 was completed in October 2015 with Broadbent Grain, purchasing a site of 10.7 hectares for the construction of a $24 million export grain handling facility.

The Ballarat Link Road Stage 1A is complete and has opened. The precinct shall also comprise a Freight Hub with a 24-hectare land release supported by HPFV-ready roads and only 1 km to Western Freeway and access to rail, ports and airports

The Freight Hub is zoned for:

Freight and logistics, warehousing or wholesale

Manufacturing – e.g. food and fibre, beverages, agricultural value-adding

The BWEZ Freight Hub is an excellent location for freight and logistics enterprises.

They should be able to capitalise on exceptional access to road, broad gauge rail and aviation infrastructure, at a strategic location within the freight network linking Melbourne, regional and rural Victoria, Adelaide and the Ports of Melbourne, Geelong and Portland.

The Freight Hub will have customers on its doorstep and connectivity with the wider region supported by

Road, rail and intermodal transport operations, including truck parking, weighbridge and other public or shared facilities

Freight handling, storage, deconsolidation and consolidation activities including containerisation of goods

Manufacturing activities producing significant quantities of outbound or inbound freight that could benefit from access to the Freight Hub.

Source: http://www.majorprojects.vic.gov.au/project/ballarat-west-employment-zone/

Major Projects Website – Victorian Government



4.7 MARKET SOUNDING (REQUEST FOR INFORMATION) AND INFRASTRUCTURE SCHEDULING

The Grampians Central West and Barwon South West Waste and Resource Recovery Groups undertook a regional Market Sounding (Request for Information), together with a resource recovery scheduling application and evaluation process, to inform the development of this plan (including the Infrastructure Schedule). In total, 21 proponents (organisations) made submissions, proposing infrastructure to include in the schedule, eight were deemed to be both suitable for inclusion and applicable to the Grampians Central West region.

It is acknowledged that additional unidentified waste sector operators/providers may exist or have an interest in operating in the region but did not respond to the Market Sounding process. There will be an opportunity for this to be addressed by providing input through this consultation process for the Implementation Plan.

Following a detailed evaluation process, seven proposals were recommended for inclusion in the Infrastructure Schedule plus one existing facility to be scheduled which are listed in Table 20a and also found in Section 6.

There were two additional proposals listed in Table 20b for facilities to service the region, but as they were not located within the region they are not included in the Infrastructure Schedule. They are located in the adjacent Barwon South West region and their operations are for materials that are currently not readily reprocessed within the Grampians Central West region.

TABLE 20.A INFRASTRUCTURE SCHEDULING APPLICATION PROCESS

PROPONENTS LOCATION TYPE OF PROPOSALS DESCRIPTION PRODUCTS

Australian Renewable Energy Parks

Maryborough New infrastructure Energy from waste facility Energy

Ararat Rural City Council Ararat

Existing Facility with changed or expanding waste and/or resource recovery.

Upgrade Transfer Station facilities to accommodate further materials for resource recovery

Multiple materials including polystyrene

Calleja (Maddingley Brown Coal)

Bacchus Marsh


Expansion of organics processing and C&D waste processing

Organics, C&D


Flagstaff New infrastructure Land for potential energy from waste facility

Energy

Golden Plains Shire Council Rokewood


Processing of organics on a closed landfill site

Organics Garden

Horsham Rural City Council Horsham Transfer Station


Upgrade Transfer Station N/A


St Arnaud


Landfill closure and transfer Station upgrade

N/A

Pyrenees Shire Council Carranballac / Crowlands

Existing Existing facilities to be scheduled

N/A

Source: Barwon South West and Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Market Sounding – Evaluation Report, Landell 2016

TABLE 20.B INFRASTRUCTURE SCHEDULING APPLICATION PROCESS: RECOMMENDED PROPOSALS TO SERVICE THE REGION

PROPONENTS LOCATION TYPE OF PROPOSALS DESCRIPTION PRODUCTS

Sustainable Clean Energy Little River New infrastructure

Facility to treat tyres, mattresses, plastic, treated timber, grease trap waste via pyrolysis

Energy

The Mattress Recycler Moolap

Existing Facility with changed or expanded waste and/or resource recovery

Diversion of mattresses and lounge suites from landfill

Metals, fabrics, foam and timber for further processing.

Source: Barwon South West and Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Market Sounding – Evaluation Report, Landell 2016

RISK AND CONTINGENCY

PLANNING



5. RISK AND CONTINGENCY PLANNING Waste and resource recovery groups are required to factor risk and contingency planning into the assessment of landfill and waste recovery needs. The industry and Councils are required to factor risk management into their waste and resource recovery planning, management and operations.

Planning for, and allocating contingency allowances, ensures that sufficient recovery, reprocessing or landfill capacity is available if an adverse or emergency event occurs or the non-delivery of new waste and resource recovery infrastructure or if existing infrastructure becomes unavailable.

Contingency planning is required for the following potential scenarios:

an adverse environmental event, within, near or outside of the region, such as a flood or bushfire, which may produce large quantities of waste requiring immediate disposal (or recovered) at short notice, may disrupt collection systems or limit access to facilities;

an adverse event that closes a landfill in the short term. Examples include police operations, on-site fires, equipment failure, extreme wind/rain events and on-site accidents;

closure of significant waste and resource recovery infrastructure (e.g. through emergency event/industry or business failure);

failure of the landfilling industry to progressively plan for the development of existing sites (e.g. landfill cells) to meet contractual and industry demands;

delays in the planning and development of proposed facilities against expected timeframes resulting in non-commissioning or abandonments of such developments entirely;

failure of existing reprocessors to obtain required planning permits and/or works approvals;

failure of industry to operate, monitor and report landfill as permitted, licenced and/or contracted, which can inadvertently result in immediate closure and/or stockpiling of materials;

a biosecurity event (animal disease or plant, pest disease and weed) that would require limitations to be placed on the movement of respective materials or onsite treatment processes. Such an event can result in DELWP exercising its powers to commandeer a landfill for the purpose of controlled disposal of mass mortalities and/or result in significant economic and reputational damage to high value industries if not managed appropriately in an integrated way; and

any event that would close major transport routes/links (noting this would also have wide reaching impacts on the broader transport network, community and economy).

5.1 CONTINGENCY PLANNING – LANDFILL

Emergency events and disasters can create an immediate need to safely landfill large quantities of waste. In this circumstance, if there is not enough landfill (or a resource recovery alternative) to meet supply, serious environmental and public health impacts may eventuate. Not having available airspace would be expected to slow the management of a clean-up effort and could cause significant delays in the demolition and removal of debris. This could potentially risk public and environmental health in both the short and long term.

There are operational challenges to providing contingency airspace in case of an emergency event. Sites with available airspace that are scheduled to accept the type of waste produced may not be readily able to receive the waste at short notice nor have the capacity internally to manage. This may be due to procurement delays, contractual obligations, restriction in cell airspace availability and availability of plant and equipment to work landfill. However, in general there is sufficient geographic spread of landfills across the region with the capacity to accept material. If required, this would need to occur at the EPA’s discretion to ensure disposal requirements can be managed at short notice.

The Group has developed guidelines for Developing a Disaster Waste Management Plan for Councils. A statewide waste and resource recovery contingency planning group has been proposed, that would include stakeholders such as EPA, DELWP, SV and Emergency Management Victoria to further investigate the waste management requirements caused by emergency events and the process of decision making regarding waste management. The Grampians Central West Plan Disaster Management Plan for Waste may be updated to reflect the outcomes of this work.

5.2 RISKS – RESOURCE RECOVERY

The Regional Implementation Plan relies on the progressive development of new resource recovery infrastructure (approved and constructed in a timely manner) to lessen the reliance on landfills, as outlined in Section 6. If required infrastructure is not established continuing landfill disposal options may be required. To mitigate this risk, the Group intends to undertake a review in three to five years, including an assessment of Council commitments, progress of alternative waste treatment technology to gauge the likelihood of delivery of new infrastructure as planned.

The EP Act and the complementary Waste Management Policy; Landfill promote resource recovery over disposal. However, in managing landfill capacity the infrastructure schedule must allow for additional capacity to provide flexibility and ensure additional contingency air space capacity is available, if and when needed. This plan has taken this into consideration, as outlined in Section 6.3.


There are a number of risks that effect the financial and environmental performance of the resource recovery sector and its related infrastructure and are outlined in Section 4.5. All of the Priority Actions contained in this Regional Implementation Plan will monitor the risk situation and guide how the Group might assist and/or intervene accordingly to reduce and minimise some of the risks that are listed in Table 21.

5.3 CONTINGENCY PLANNING – RESOURCE RECOVERY

Mitigation strategies have only been developed for the 10-year life of the plan. Risk rankings are based on risks at the time of writing of the plan. Risks are likely to change as mitigation strategies are implemented over time and circumstances change.

TABLE 21. GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST IMPLEMENTATION PLAN RISK REGISTER

RISK CAUSE(S) POTENTIAL IMPACT MITIGATION STRATEGY MITIGATION ADDRESSED

IN PLAN?

RISK STATUS

Failure (negative change) of markets

Immature markets; variable feedstock; low viability and demand

Cost; recovery rate; compliance action; environment; reputation

Work with industry and state government to develop local markets; monitor use of new technologies

Y High

A facility / infrastructure closes unexpectedly or is no longer available

Regulatory issue; business failure; market failure; biohazard;

Cost; recovery rate; compliance action; environment; reputation

Investigate / establish if alternative options exist so that the region is not dependant on one company / facility

Y High

Financial viability of regional landfills

Increasing development, operational and rehabilitation costs are making small-medium landfills unviable

Increased cost of sending waste elsewhere

Divert waste to alternative landfills Y Medium

Natural disaster / emergency event resulting in significant volumes of waste to be disposed of

Bush fire, floods

Increase in waste sent to landfill reducing cell life capacity, alternative transport to other facilities required; potential health impacts

Work with state government departments (EPA, DELWP, EMV) to further investigate the waste requirements caused by emergency events; Guidelines for Developing a Disaster Waste Management Plan; Determine options for the diversion of waste during an emergency

Y High

Waste resource recovery sites not well located and/or not supported in local planning schemes

Community opposition / complaints; planning encroachment

Increased cost; stock piling; environmental risk

Work with Council planning schemes, growth areas, effective community engagement

Y Medium

Policies or regulations not producing desired outcomes

Regulatory failure; Failure to meet strategic direction

Work with state government to ensure policies are clear and realistic

Y Medium

Landfill/s unable to accept waste

Non-compliant with regulations; business failure; biohazard

Increase cost of sending waste elsewhere, compliance action, environment

Engage with owner/operator and regulator; divert waste to other landfill

Y Medium

State or federal schemes do not adequately consider regional implications

Regulatory failure; legislative change

Failure to meet strategic direction

Work with government bodies to ensure schemes consider all impacts

Y Medium

Significant increases in transport costs

Increased fuel prices based upon global oil prices; taxes or freight fees

Cost; recovery rate; market failure; reputation; stockpiling

Identify alternative options where possible. Improve waste aggregation and transport efficiencies

Y High

Contravention of competition law

Failure to notify ACCC of collaborative exercises

Contravention of competition law

Competition law assessment. Legal advice. Encourage Councils to notify ACCC.

Y Medium

INFRASTRUCTURE SCHEDULE


6. INFRASTRUCTURE SCHEDULE

The EP Act requires that a schedule be developed of the existing and required waste and resource recovery infrastructure within the region. This schedule enables strategic planning to identify the gaps in the existing infrastructure required to meet the strategic objectives for the region and plan for future needs. In developing this schedule, the Group worked with the other groups to ensure consistency and alignment with the infrastructure schedules across the state.

The schedule consists of two parts:

Part A: Resource Recovery infrastructure

The purpose of Part A of the Infrastructure Schedule is to identify where existing resource recovery infrastructure in the region is currently located (Table 22) and the potential future requirements for resource recovery infrastructure (Table 23).

The information contained in Part A is aimed at informing future planning, including land use planning on where land should be made available to conduct and, where appropriate, expand current resource recovery activities and establish new facilities. This is to ensure appropriate land use planning is undertaken to minimise the impact of these activities on the environment, public health and amenity of the surrounding community.

Part B: Landfill infrastructure

The primary purpose of Part B of this schedule is to ensure that there is adequate landfill capacity planned to ensure the safe and sanitary disposal of residual wastes for at least the next 10 years. Part B lists the current and future landfill needs, including where current landfill activities are undertaken (Table 24), their intended or likely date of closure and the proposed sequence of filling of available landfills (Table 25) along with closed landfills (Table 26).

Whilst Part B of this schedule only includes landfill capacity in the Grampians Central West region it has been developed in consideration of waste flows that may enter this region from other regions within the state. The landfill component of the Infrastructure Schedule is designed to enable appropriate buffers to be defined, allowing for sound planning decisions to be made for land development in the vicinity of any new landfills that are listed in the schedule.

It should be noted that listing a site or general location in this schedule does not imply or guarantee that the location or site will be developed. Relevant planning and regulatory approvals need to be granted before the infrastructure can be developed.

Future reviews of this plan may identify that the need and or location of future resource recovery and landfill infrastructure listed in the schedule no longer presents the preferred option for the region. If this is the case, then the schedule will be amended.

Aligning the infrastructure schedule with planning schemes

Aligning this plan with relevant local planning schemes is important to achieve the objectives of the Framework. Considering the ‘agent of change principle’ and the following steps will facilitate this alignment for new infrastructure. Current infrastructure has the benefit of existing use rights:

1. Inform Councils

Advise Councils in the Grampians Central West region that this Regional Implementation Plan (and its Infrastructure Schedule) is the Plan referred to in Clause 19.03-5 Planning and Environment Act 1987 and that Councils should give it due consideration when exercising its planning functions.

2. Facilitate planning approvals

Work with relevant Councils and proponents to inform and facilitate planning approvals, where required, to implement new or expanded infrastructure.

3. Facilitate effective buffers

Work with Councils to resolve encroachment of sensitive uses into buffers for existing infrastructure.



PART A. RESOURCE RECOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE TABLE 22. EXISTING RESOURCE RECOVERY AND REPROCESSING INFRASTRUCTURE

SITE NAME OWNER / OPERATOR GIS

LOCATION ADDRESS TOWN / SUBURB COUNCIL

PRINCIPAL MATERIAL STREAM50

Resource Recovery Drop-off Facility

Carranballac Drop Off Pyrenees Shire Council -37.700261 143.161541

Darlington Carranballac Road Carranballac Pyrenees Shire Council MSW

Crowlands Drop Off Pyrenees Shire Council -37.146136 143.115156

Spring Flat Road Crowlands Pyrenees Shire Council MSW

Kiata Depot Hindmarsh Shire Council -36.364485 141.786363

Reserve Road Kiata Hindmarsh Shire Council MSW

Netherby Depot Hindmarsh Shire Council -36.106224 141.642858

Netherby Baker Road Netherby Hindmarsh Shire Council MSW

Yanac Depot Hindmarsh Shire Council -36.126679 141.452183

Netherby Yanac Road Yanac Hindmarsh Shire Council MSW

Resource Recovery Centre (RRC) or Transfer Station (TS)

Apsley Transfer Station West Wimmera Shire Council -36.974928 141.070452

Off Apsley - Langkoop Road Apsley West Wimmera Shire Council MSW

Ararat Resource Recovery Centre Ararat Rural City Council -37.297078 142.929638

Surface Hill Road Ararat Ararat Rural City Council MSW

Avoca Transfer Station Pyrenees Shire Council -37.087216 143.482997

Russell Street Avoca Pyrenees Shire Council MSW

Bacchus Marsh Transfer Station Moorabool Shire Council -37.691544 144.423131

Moore Street South Bacchus Marsh Moorabool Shire Council MSW

Ballan Transfer Station Moorabool Shire Council -37.60205

144.269757 Montville Lane Ballan Moorabool Shire Council MSW

Ballarat Transfer Station City of Ballarat -37.566292 143.814864

Gillies Street Ballarat City of Ballarat MSW

Bealiba Transfer Station Central Goldfields Shire Council

-36.794912 143.547063

Whitehills Road Bealiba Central Goldfields Shire Council

MSW

Beaufort Transfer Station Pyrenees Shire Council -37.42504 143.39575

Racecourse Road Beaufort Pyrenees Shire Council MSW

Beulah Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre

Yarriambiack Shire Council -35.931123 142.441291

Birchip - Rainbow Road Beulah Yarriambiack Shire Council MSW

50 More information on materials managed at facilities such as RRC/TS sites can be found on respective Council websites


TABLE 22. EXISTING RESOURCE RECOVERY AND REPROCESSING INFRASTRUCTURE continued




Carisbrook Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre


-37.064722 143.791748

Potts Lane Carisbrook Central Goldfields Shire Council

MSW

Chetwynd Transfer Station West Wimmera Shire Council -37.278912 141.382666

Chetwynd Cemetery Road Chetwynd West Wimmera Shire Council MSW

Creswick Transfer Station and Resale Centre

Hepburn Shire Council -37.414729 143.886057

32 Anne Street (off Ring Road) Creswick Hepburn Shire Council MSW

Daylesford Transfer Station and Resale Centre


Ajax Road Daylesford Hepburn Shire Council MSW

Dergholm Transfer Station West Wimmera Shire Council -37.368648 141.218439

Off Casterton - Naracoorte Road Dergholm West Wimmera Shire Council MSW

Dimboola Transfer Station Hindmarsh Shire Council -36.441219 142.020489

Dimboola - Warracknabeal Road Dimboola Hindmarsh Shire Council MSW

Dunolly Transfer Station Central Goldfields Shire Council

-36.88062 143.751477

Maryborough Dunolly Road Dunolly Central Goldfields Shire Council

MSW

Edenhope Transfer Station West Wimmera Shire Council -37.038263 141.279649

Moss Street Edenhope West Wimmera Shire Council MSW

Goroke Transfer Station West Wimmera Shire Council -36.721414 141.465108

Kylie Street Goroke West Wimmera Shire Council MSW

Halls Gap Transfer Station Northern Grampians Shire Council

-37.130377 142.544589

4300 Ararat - Halls Gap Road Halls Gap Northern Grampians Shire Council

MSW

Harrow Transfer Station West Wimmera Shire Council -37.135337 141.594073

Off Nhill / Harrow Road Harrow West Wimmera Shire Council MSW

Hopetoun Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre


Hopetoun - Yaapeet Rd Hopetoun Yarriambiack Shire Council MSW

Horsham Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre

Horsham Rural City Council -36.741434 142.190929

Kenny Road Horsham Horsham Rural City Council MSW

Jeparit Transfer Station Hindmarsh Shire Council -36.130898 141.99624

Jeparit East Road Jeparit Hindmarsh Shire Council MSW

Jung Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre


Jung Recreation Reserve Road Jung Horsham Rural City Council MSW

Kaniva Transfer Station West Wimmera Shire Council -36.384723 141.225702

South Lillimur Road Kaniva West Wimmera Shire Council MSW

Landsborough Transfer Station Pyrenees Shire Council -37.023621 143.1248

Ararat St and St Arnaud Road Landsborough Pyrenees Shire Council MSW

Minyip Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre


Minyip - Rich Avon Road Minyip Yarriambiack Shire Council MSW








Mt Egerton Transfer Station Moorabool Shire Council -37.631535 144.106686

Corner Ballan Egerton Road and Yendon Egerton Road

Mount Egerton Moorabool Shire Council MSW

Mt Zero (Laharum) Transfer Station and Resource Recovery


Wonwondah - Dadswells Bridge Road (SW Corner Winfields Road)

Laharum Horsham Rural City Council MSW

Murtoa Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre


Murtoa - Rupanyup Road Murtoa Yarriambiack Shire Council MSW

Nhill Transfer Station Hindmarsh Shire Council -36.318595 141.663464

Netherby Road Nhill Hindmarsh Shire Council MSW

Pimpinio Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Facility


Banyena Road Pimpinio Horsham Rural City Council MSW

Quantong Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre


SW Corner Hutchinson Road and Lanes Avenue

Quantong Horsham Rural City Council MSW

Rainbow Transfer Station Hindmarsh Shire Council -35.908306 141970568

Off Rainbow - Nhill Road (Rainbow Rises Road)

Rainbow Hindmarsh Shire Council MSW

Rokewood Transfer Station Golden Plains Shire Council -37.912242 143.714996

Meadows Road Rokewood Golden Plains Shire Council MSW

Rupanyup Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre


Dyer Street Rupanyup Yarriambiack Shire Council MSW

Snake Valley Transfer Station Pyrenees Shire Council -37.62084

143.550339 Snake Valley - Morchup Road Snake Valley Pyrenees Shire Council MSW

Stawell Transfer Station Northern Grampians Shire Council

-37.07058 142.800328

Lavett Road Stawell Northern Grampians Shire Council

MSW

Talbot Transfer Station Central Goldfields Shire Council

-37.166119 143.709014

Rockyflat Road Talbot Central Goldfields Shire Council

MSW

Toolondo Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Facility


Telangatuk East Road Toolondo Horsham Rural City Council MSW

Trentham Transfer Station and Resale Centre


Trentham Blackwood Road Trentham Hepburn Shire Council MSW

Woomelang Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre


Off Church St and Duthies Road South

Woomelang Yarriambiack Shire Council MSW

Resource Recovery Centre (RRC) co-located at LandfillElmhurst Resource Recovery Centre and Landfill

Ararat Rural City Council -37.191022 143.251242

McKay Street Elmhurst Ararat Rural City Council MSW



Rubbish Tip Road Lake Bolac Ararat Rural City Council MSW









Off Moyston West Road Moyston Ararat Rural City Council MSW



Pomonal East Road Pomonal Ararat Rural City Council MSW

St Arnaud Transfer Station and Landfill


-36.590533 143.327382

329 Old Wedderburn Road (Hard Hills Road)

St Arnaud Northern Grampians Shire Council

MSW



Nerrin - Floodway Road Streatham Ararat Rural City Council MSW



Off Porters Bridge Road Tatyoon Ararat Rural City Council MSW



Wickcliffe - Willaura Road Willaura Ararat Rural City Council MSW

Patchewollock Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre


Hopetoun - Walpeup Road Patchewollock Yarriambiack Shire Council MSW



Sunraysia Highway Tempy Yarriambiack Shire Council MSW



Golf Links Road Warracknabeal Yarriambiack Shire Council MSW



Off Rainbow - Yaapeet Road Yaapeet Yarriambiack Shire Council MSW

Resource Recovery Interchange Facility

City of Ballarat Green Waste Interchange Facility

City of Ballarat -37.512167 143.783926

(Western Side) Ballarat Airport, Airport Road

Mitchell Park City of Ballarat Kerbside Organics Garden

Recycling Interchange Facility Ace Metals -37.52725

143.847137 5 - 7 Coronet Street Wendouree City of Ballarat

Kerbside Recyclables

Stawell Interchange Wheelie Waste -37.052355 142.764150

11 Haughton Street Stawell Northern Grampians Shire Council

Kerbside Recyclables

Material Recovery Facility (MRF)

Daylesford MRF Hepburn Shire Council -37.334377 144.130618

Ajax Road Daylesford Hepburn Shire Council MSW

Downes Recycling Downes Recycling -37.274516 142.935056

2 McLean Street Ararat Ararat Rural City Council Paper /

Cardboard

Horsham Green Waste Processing Horsham Green Waste Processing

-36.739019 142.19043

Golfcourse Road Horsham Horsham Rural City Council Organics

Garden Waste

St Arnaud Recyclers EcoSwish EcoSwish -36.62671

143.266859 10 Phillips Court St Arnaud


Municipal Solid Waste








Reprocessor – Organics

Garden Recycling Centre Garden Recycling Centre -37.567453 143.809877

154 Learmonth Street Alfredton City of Ballarat Garden Waste

Dunolly Second-hand Timber Yard Dunolly Demolition Salvage -36.872558 143.749033

96 - 1060 Betley Road Dunolly Central Goldfields Shire Council

Wood / Timber

Calleja Transport Calleja Transport (Maddingley Brown Coal Pty Ltd)

-37.702770 144.435411

East Maddingley Road Bacchus Marsh Moorabool Shire Council Garden Waste

Castlegate James (James and Son) Castlegate James Australia Pty Ltd

-37.570511 143.809236

4 Wiltshire Lane Delacombe City of Ballarat Food Waste

Davo's Worm Farms Davo's Worm Farms -37.379105 143.905744

54 Henders Road Broomfield Hepburn Shire Council Garden Waste

Reprocessor – Plastics

Replas Repeat Plastics Australia -37.583846 143.873733

50 Elsworth Street Ballarat City of Ballarat Plastics

Reprocessor – Paper / Cardboard

Ballarat Regional Industries Ballarat Regional Industries -37.516269 143.804161

6 Neerim Crescent Wendouree City of Ballarat Paper /

Cardboard

Paper Freight Australia Paper Freight Australia -37.535915 143.813114

28 Grandlee Drive Wendouree City of Ballarat Paper /

Cardboard

Grampians Recycling Grampians Recycling -37.052389 142.764994

9 Haughton Street Stawell Northern Grampians Shire Council

Paper / Cardboard

Reprocessor – Aggregate, Masonry and Soils

Ballarat Concrete Recycling Ballarat Concrete Recycling -37.579591 143.848181

3 Tannery Lane Ballarat City of Ballarat Aggregates, Masonry and

Soil

Chris Bev Pty Ltd Chris Bev Pty Ltd -37.573796 143.820391

Wallis Street Delacombe City of Ballarat Aggregates, Masonry and

Soil

Western Gypsum Western Gypsum -37.806752 143.603428

2265 Scarsdale - Pitfield Road Cape Clear Golden Plains Shire Council Aggregates, Masonry and

Soil

WestonVic Waste WestonVic -36.740451 142.195221

8 Turnbull Drive Horsham Horsham Rural City Council Aggregates, Masonry and

Soil

KKC Recycling KKC Property Pty Ltd -37.52866

143.847068 3 Hammer Court Wendouree City of Ballarat

Aggregates, Masonry and

Soil







Reprocessor – E-waste

Axis Worx Community Axis Enterprises Incorporation

-36.737625 142.19116

134 Golf Course Rd Horsham Horsham Rural City Council E-waste

Reprocessor – Metals

Ballarat Scrap Metal and Recycling Ballarat Scrap Metal and Recycling

-37.589066 143.827465

8-18 Kossuth Street Sebastopol City of Ballarat Metals

Kings Marine Stores Kings Marine Stores -37.570212 143.851089

Corner South And Skipton Streets Ballarat City of Ballarat Metals

Manhari Metals Manhari Metals -36.737979 142.204591

52 Henty Highway (Hamilton Road) Horsham Horsham Rural City Council Metals

Onesteel Recycling Onesteel (Arrium Limited) -37.52725

143.847137 5 - 7 Coronet Street Wendouree City of Ballarat Metals

Energy from Waste – Anaerobic Digester

Berrybank Farm CIFE -37.462110 143.710254

Hendersons Road Windermere City of Ballarat Organics -

Other Energy from Waste – Other

Beaufort Hospital Bioenergy Plant Beaufort Skipton Health -37.431691 143.382470

Walker Street Beaufort Pyrenees Shire Council Wood / Timber

To the best of the knowledge of the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group, all relevant existing facilities have been included on this schedule. Please note that inclusion of an existing facility in this schedule should not in any way be construed as a warranty or representation as to the quality, compliance, effectiveness or suitability of the facilities included. Whilst Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group has made every effort to compile this information accurately and completely, the list of facilities included, information and comments in the ‘other considerations' section are not exhaustive, and are provided to generally facilitate the achievement of the objectives of the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic). Further information about individual facilities should be sought from the Environment Protection Authority, or (where appropriate) owners or operators of facilities.




TABLE 23. FUTURE RESOURCE RECOVERY AND REPROCESSING INFRASTRUCTURE

PROPONENT LOCATION MATERIAL STREAMS REASON

New Infrastructure

Australian Renewable Energy Parks Maryborough Residual Waste Energy from waste facility

Central Goldfields Shire Council Flagstaff Residual Waste Land for potential energy from waste facility

City of Ballarat Ballarat MSW and a range of materials including Organics

New Transfer Station with major shed structure

Northern Grampians Shire Council / Ararat Rural City Council

Within Shires Mixed New development of centralised combined Transfer Station facility and associated Transfer Station rationalisation

Pinegro Products Pty Ltd Mt Wallace Organics New aerated composting facility

Pyrenees Shire Council / Golden Plains Shire Council / Corangamite Shire Council

Snake Valley Organics Garden New Organics Garden facility / combined Transfer Station

Used Tyre Recycling Corporation Stawell Rubber Tyres New tyre shredding facility and proposed pyrolysis

Existing Facility with changed or expanding waste and/or resource recovery

Ararat Rural City Council Ararat Multiple materials including polystyrene

Upgrade Transfer Station facilities to accommodate further materials for resource recovery

Calleja (Maddingley Brown Coal) Bacchus Marsh Organics Garden and timber, Concrete and aggregates

Expansion of organics processing and C&D waste processing

Golden Plains Shire Council Rokewood Organics Garden Processing of organics garden on a closed landfill site

Horsham Rural City Council Horsham Transfer Station

Mixed Upgrade Transfer Station

Northern Grampians Shire Council St Arnaud Mixed Landfill closure and Transfer Station upgrade

Pyrenees Shire Council Avoca, Beaufort and Snake Valley

Mixed Transfer Station upgrades with essential services, traffic circulation, OH&S, fire safety and infrastructure

West Wimmera Shire Council Kaniva and Edenhope

Mixed Transfer Station upgrades with essential services, traffic circulation, OH&S, hardstands, fencing and drainage infrastructure


PART B. LANDFILL INFRASTRUCTURE SCHEDULE

The purpose of this schedule, if the need is apparent and justified, is to identify options for future landfill capacity within the region. No new landfills are proposed in this Schedule. Landfill infrastructure analysis is located in Part 4.3

The identification of a new or expanded landfill in Part B of this schedule does not guarantee that the landfill capacity will become operational. A proponent wishing to establish a landfill will need to obtain all necessary permits and approvals before establishing the landfill. This may include obtaining a planning permit from the relevant planning authority, and obtaining a works approval and licence from EPA Victoria.

Subject to limited exceptions, EPA Victoria must refuse to consider an application for a works approval in relation to any new landfill not included in this table under Section 50C (2) of the EP Act.

If a landfill site, prior to being issued a works approval, planning permit and licence, is found, through the infrastructure scheduling process (Part B) to no longer be the most suitable option to service the needs identified by the Group, then it can be removed from the schedule and suitable alternatives scheduled if new infrastructure is still required. This review will be undertaken as part of the periodic review of this Regional Implementation Plan.

The projected sequencing of existing landfill is outlined in Table 25. It contains the proposed sequence for the filling of available landfill sites for a 30-year period and estimated closure dates.

It includes only existing landfill sites. The table shows the potential lifespan; site operators may decide to close a landfill earlier. Existing landfills may require further authorisations such as cell (works) approval to expand and develop new cells, licence amendment upon construction completion, etc. There is no reliance on landfill airspace availability in other regions.

The Group does not consider that there is a demonstrated need for additional landfill airspace and does not intend to schedule any new or expanded landfill at this time. This matter is to be reviewed within three to five years. No other Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Groups have advised the Group for landfill in this Region. No additional landfills exempt from licensing will be required, following closures, as all waste will be diverted to existing regional landfills.

It is acknowledged that all licenced landfills will, as demand is required, continue to plan and apply for further cell development on their existing planning approved sites. Each cell requires EPA works approval. It is estimated that an additional cell is required every two years at some regional landfills.

Many of the sites in the region are small landfills servicing only the local area and closed some time ago. In most cases these pose a negligible risk to the community, environment and public health. The Group will develop a process to work with any duty holder(s) of sites that have not commenced rehabilitation based on the risk of adverse impacts to the community, public health and the environment from the closed landfills on these sites.



TABLE 24. EXISTING LANDFILLS

LANDFILL NAME

FACILITY OWNER ADDRESS TOWN /

SUBURB LGA

GIS LOCATION

EPA LICENCE

MAJOR MATERIAL STREAMS53 AVAILABLE

SPACE (YEARS)

LIKELY CLOSURE

DATE54 Licensed Landfills

Dooen Landfill Horsham Rural City Council

81 Ladlows Road Dooen Horsham Rural City Council

-36.607426 142.256346

ES353 12067

Putrescible Solid Inert Asbestos

30 2044 / 2045

Maddingley Brown Coal

Maddingley Brown Coal Pty Ltd

East Maddingley Road

Bacchus Marsh Moorabool Shire Council

-37.706473 144.439322

ES90

Solid Inert Metal recycling shredder residue (floc)Paper pulp Pneumatic rubber automotive tyres shredded Potential and waste acid sulfate soils Category C Contaminated soils

19 2033 / 2034

Smythesdale Landfill

City of Ballarat BMG Boral Gravel Pits, Glenelg Highway

Smythesdale Golden Plains Shire Council

-37.624403 143.697984

ES27678 12008

Putrescible Solid Inert Asbestos waste Pneumatic rubber automotive tyres shredded Category C Contaminated soils

28 2042 / 2043


Statewide Waste Pty Ltd

Pomonal Road (Stawell - Pomonal Road)

Bellellen Northern Grampians Shire Council

-37.099788 142.732292

ES39783 70183 74234

Putrescible Solid Inert Asbestos waste Pneumatic rubber automotive tyres shredded Fly ash Category C Contaminated soils

20 2034 / 2035

53 Material Streams as per licence conditions. Owners may vary what materials are accepted. 54 Likely closure dates are estimated based on consideration of modelled tonnage projections (business as usual) and airspace available utilising planning approvals (and may be subject to additional Works Approvals). This may include potential void space that may eventuate at quarry based landfill sites as identified by owners and operators. Eventuation of these timeframes will depend on business decisions, waste flows and appropriate approvals.


TABLE 24. EXISTING LANDFILLS continued

LANDFILL NAME FACILITY OWNER ADDRESS TOWN /

SUBURB GIS

LOCATION MAJOR MATERIAL STREAMS55

AVAILABLE SPACE

(YEARS)

LIKELY CLOSURE

DATE56 Exempt from Licencing Ararat Rural City CouncilElmhurst Resource Recovery Centre and Landfill


McKay Street Elmhurst -37.191022 143.251242

Hard Waste Only 3 2018



Rubbish Tip Road Lake Bolac -37.704218 142.8236




Off Moyston West Road Moyston -37.292028 142.735257




Pomonal East Road Pomonal -37.195093 142.635344




Nerrin - Floodway Road Streatham -37.684394 143.040767




Off Porters Bridge Road Tatyoon -37.684394 143.040767




Wickcliffe - Willaura Road Willaura -37.576825 142.73492



St Arnaud Transfer Station and Landfill Northern Grampians Shire Council

329 Old Wedderburn Road St Arnaud -36.591375 143.329314

Putrescible Solid Inert

2 2017

Yarriambiack Shire CouncilPatchewollock Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre


Hopetoun - Walpeup Road Patchewollock-35.371129 142.20475


10 2024 / 2025



Sunraysia Highway Tempy -35.359321 142.428256


10 2024 / 2025



Golf Links Road Warracknabeal-36.226349 142.407726


10 2024 / 2025



Off Rainbow - Yaapeet Road Yaapeet -35.780134 142.044088


10 2024 / 2025

To the best of the knowledge of the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group, all relevant existing landfill facilities have been included on this schedule. Please note that inclusion of an existing facility in this schedule should not in any way be construed as a warranty or representation as to the quality, compliance, effectiveness or suitability of the facilities included. Whilst Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group has made every effort to compile this information accurately and completely, the list of facilities included, information and comments in the ‘other considerations' section are not exhaustive, and are provided to generally facilitate the achievement of the objectives of the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic). Further information about individual facilities should be sought from the Environment Protection Authority, or (where appropriate) owners or operators of facilities.

55 Material Streams as per licence conditions. Owners may vary what materials are accepted. 56 Likely closure dates are estimated based on consideration of modelled tonnage projections (business as usual) and airspace available utilising planning approvals (and may be subject to additional Works Approvals). This may include potential void space that may eventuate at quarry based landfill sites as identified by owners and operators. Eventuation of these timeframes will depend on business decisions, waste flows and appropriate approvals.



TABLE 25. LANDFILLS AND PROJECTED LIFE 2016 – 2045

LANDFILL SITE NAME 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45

Maddingley Brown Coal


Smythesdale Landfill

Dooen Landfill



St Arnaud Transfer Station and Landfill


Elmhurst Resource Recovery Centre and Landfill



Tatyoon Resource Recovery Centre Landfill and

Patchewollock Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre




Note: Likely closure dates are estimated based on consideration of modelled tonnage projections and land available under current EPA Victoria works approval, planning and permit requirements and potential void space that may eventuate at quarry based landfill sites as identified by owners and operators. Final timeframes will depend on business decisions made by owners and operators, waste flows and whether they gain the appropriate approvals. Landfills estimated for closure will continue to receive clean fill and soils for the purposes of final contouring, capping and rehabilitation after ceasing accepting wastes. Resource recovery activities may occur on site after a site ceases accepting waste for disposal providing the necessary planning approvals are in place. Key:

Potential anticipated life - Available space with land use planning and works approval or licence exemption Intended / Likely Closure Potential anticipated life - Available space with land use planning and subject to further works approval Void space subject to all relevant approvals Implementation of rehabilitation plan and post closure management


TABLE 26. REHABILITATION STATUS OF CLOSED LANDFILLS

SITE NAME ADDRESS DUTY HOLDER

WASTES ACCEPTED

DURING OPERATION

YEAR LAND FILLING CEASED

REHABILITATION STATUS

CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE ON SITE

ARARAT RURAL CITY COUNCIL

Ararat Tip Queen St South and Surface Hill Road Ararat Vic 3377

Ararat Rural City Council Putrescible 2001 Ongoing Monitoring &

Maintenance Transfer Station

Elmhurst Tip McKay Street Elmhurst Vic 3469

Ararat Rural City Council Putrescible 1998 Completed Transfer Station, Revegetation,

Hard Waste Landfill

Lake Bolac Tip Graham Road Lake Bolac Vic 3351


Hard Waste Landfill

Mininera Tip Mininera Vic 3351 Ararat Rural City Council Putrescible 2000 Completed Revegetation

Moyston Tip Moyston West Road Moyston Vic 3377


Hard Waste Landfill

Pomonal Tip Pomonal East Road Pomonal Vic 3381


Hard Waste Landfill

Rossbridge Tip Rossbridge Vic 3377 Ararat Rural City Council Putrescible 2000 Completed Revegetation

Streatham Tip Rubbish Tip Road Streatham Vic 3351


Hard Waste Landfill

Tatyoon Tip Camp Road Tatyoon Vic 3378


Hard Waste Landfill

Wickliffe Tip Rubbish Tip Road Wickliffe Vic 3379

Ararat Rural City Council Putrescible 1999 Completed Revegetation

Willaura Tip Wickliffe – Willaura Road Willaura Vic 3379


Hard Waste Landfill

CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS SHIRE COUNCIL

Bealiba Landfill Mount Road Bealiba Vic 3472

Central Goldfields Shire Council (Shire of Bet Bet)

Putrescible 1996 Completed Revegetation

Carisbrook Landfill 129 Williams Road Carisbrook Vic 3464

Central Goldfields Shire Council (Shire of Tullaroop)

Putrescible 2008 Ongoing Monitoring &

Maintenance Transfer Station, Revegetation

Dunolly Landfill Off Dunolly- Maryborough Road Dunolly Vic 3472

Central Goldfields Shire Council (Shire of Bet Bet)

Putrescible 2005 Completed Transfer Station

Maryborough East Landfill

Off Argyle Road Maryborough Vic 3465

Central Goldfields Shire Council (City of Maryborough)

Putrescible 1970s Completed Revegetation

Maryborough West Landfill

Off Balaclava Road Maryborough Vic 3465

Central Goldfields Shire Council (City of Maryborough)

Putrescible 1983 Completed Revegetation



TABLE 26. REHABILITATION STATUS OF CLOSED LANDFILLS continued


WASTES ACCEPTED

DURING OPERATION




Talbot Landfill Rock Flat Road Talbot Vic 3472

Central Goldfields Shire Council (Shire of Talbot and Clunes)


VicGrain

Pt Ca 10 Sec H Parish of Barp, Birketts Lane Dunolly Vic 3472 Silo Address: Corner Thompson St and Desmond Street, Dunolly

Vicgrain Ltd N/A 2004 N/A N/A

CITY OF BALLARAT

Alfredton Tip Learmonth Street Alfredton Vic 3350

City of Ballarat (Shire of Ballarat)

Putrescible 1979 Completed Golf Driving Range

Black Hill Tip Chisholm Street Black Hill Vic 3350

City of Ballarat Putrescible 1982;

Possible minor dumping until 1994

Ongoing Monitoring & Maintenance

Parkland

Buninyong / Sebastopol Tip

3 Whitehorse Road Mount Clear Vic 3350

City of Ballarat Putrescible 1996 Ongoing Monitoring &

Maintenance Open Space

Bunkers Hill (Sago Hill Waste Facility)

726 Bells Road Bunkers Hill Vic 3352

FMP Group (Australia) Pty Ltd Asbestos PIW 2008 Ongoing Monitoring &

Maintenance N/A

Long Point Tip Gilles Road North Ascot Vic 3364

City of Ballarat Putrescible 1982 Completed Parkland

Nerrina Tip Lofven Street Nerrina Vic 3350

City of Ballarat (Shire of Bungaree)

Putrescible 1995 Completed Parkland

Pennyweight Park Tip Otway Street South Canadian Vic 3350

City of Ballarat Putrescible 1970’s Completed Parkland

Sago Hill Inert Waste Facility

726 Bells Road Bunkers Hill Vic 3352

Chris Bev Pty Ltd SIW 2005 Ongoing Monitoring &

Maintenance N/A

Sago Hills Road Tip Sago Hills Road Bunkers Hill Vic 3352

City of Ballarat (Shire of Grenville)

Putrescible 1980 Completed N/A

Trekardo Park Latrobe Street Redan Vic 3350

City of Ballarat Putrescible 1960’s Completed Sports Facilities, Open Space

Wendouree Tip Corner Gilles Road North and Western Freeway Mount Rowan Vic 3352

City of Ballarat Putrescible &

Solid Inert Industrial

1983 Completed Freeway On-Ramp, Farming

White Flat Oval Moyle Street Ballarat Vic 3350

City of Ballarat Putrescible Early 1900’s Completed Sports Facilities, Open Space




WASTES ACCEPTED

DURING OPERATION





Bannockburn Tip Bannockburn Bush Reserve Masons Road Bannockburn Vic 3328

Golden Plains Shire Council Putrescible Early 2000’s Completed Open Space

Meredith Tip Meredith State Forest off Meredith – Steiglitz Road Meredith Vic 3328

Golden Plains Shire Council Putrescible 1997 Completed Revegetation

Rokewood Tip Rokewood Common Meadows Road Rokewood Vic 3328

Golden Plains Shire Council Solid Inert 2015 Commenced Transfer Station

Teesdale Tip Shelford – Bannockburn Road Teesdale Vic 3328

Golden Plains Shire Council (Shire of Leigh)

Putrescible 2015 Commenced Open Space

HEPBURN SHIRE COUNCIL

Clunes Tip Albert Street Clunes Vic 3370

Hepburn Shire Council (Shire of Talbot and Clunes)

Putrescible 1998 Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance

N/A

Creswick Tip C/a 45a Parish of Creswick County of Talbot Creswick Vic 3363

Hepburn Shire Council Putrescible 2005 Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance

Transfer Station

Daylesford Tip / Landfill

Ca 62a and 63 Section 2b Ajax Road Daylesford Vic 3460

Hepburn Shire Council (Shire of Daylesford and Glenlyon)


Transfer Station, MRF, Car Park

Trentham Tip Cosmo Road Trentham Vic 3458

Hepburn Shire Council (Shire of Kyneton)


Transfer Station

HINDMARSH SHIRE COUNCIL

Dimboola Tip C/A 163m, Parish of Dimboola Dimboola – Warracknabeal Road Dimboola Vic 3423

Hindmarsh Shire Council (Shire of Dimboola)


Jeparit Tip Jeparit East Road Jeparit Vic 3423



Nhill Tip Nhill Netherby Rd Nhill Vic 3418

Hindmarsh Shire Council (Shire of Lowan)


Poultry Abattoir Solids Disposal

Off McKenzie Avenue Nhill Vic 3418

The Luv A Duck Range Pty. Ltd. Poultry

Abattoir Solids Disposal

N/A N/A N/A

Rainbow Tip Off Rainbow – Nhill Road Rainbow Vic 3424







WASTES ACCEPTED

DURING OPERATION





Clear Lake Landfill Bow Lake Road Clear Lake Vic 3409

Horsham Rural City Council Putrescible 2002 Completed Open Space

Dadswells Bridge Landfill

Western Highway Dadswells Bridge Vic 3385


Dock Lake Landfill Dock Lake Road Drung Vic 3401


Green Lake Landfill Green Lake Tip Road Bungalally Vic 3401


Jung Landfill Jung Tip Road Jung Vic 3401

Horsham Rural City Council Putrescible 2003 Completed Transfer Station

Kenny Road Landfill Kenny Road Horsham Vic 3402


Natimuk Landfill Corner Wyn Road and Kuhne Road Natimuk Vic 3409


Noradjuha Landfill Horsham Noradjuha Road Noradjuha Vic 3409


Pimpinio Landfill Banyena Road Pimpinio Vic 3401


Quantong Landfill SW Corner Hutchison Road and Lanes Avenue Quantong Vic 3401


Toolondo Landfill Telangatuk East Road Toolondo Vic 3401


Wail Landfill Roggs Road Wail Vic 3401


Wartook Landfill Sullivan Road Wartook Vic 3401





WASTES ACCEPTED

DURING OPERATION





Bacchus Marsh Landfill

Side of Kerrs Road Maddingley Vic 3340

Oupan Resources Putrescible 2002 Ongoing Monitoring &

Maintenance Open Space

Ballan Tip Montville Lane Ballan Vic 3342

Moorabool Shire Council Putrescible 2009 Ongoing Monitoring &

Maintenance Transfer Station

Mt Egerton Tip Corner Ballan – Egerton and Yendon – Egerton Roads Mt Egerton Vic 3352

Moorabool Shire Council Putrescible Unknown Completed N/A

Teleford Park Tip Darley / Bacchus Marsh Vic 3340 Moorabool Shire Council Putrescible Unknown Completed N/A

Darley Fire Brick Landfill

Grey Street Darley / Bacchus Marsh Vic 3340

Moorabool Shire Council Putrescible Unknown Completed N/A

Blackwood Tip Blackwood North Road Blackwood Vic 3458

Private Landholder Putrescible Unknown Completed N/A

NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE COUNCIL

Food Manufacturing Plant

Carapooee West South of Little Church Road St Arnaud Vic 3478

Goldfields Turkeys Pty Ltd N/A 2003 N/A N/A

Glenorchy Tip Arapiles Street Glenorchy Vic 3385

Northern Grampians Shire Council Putrescible 2000 Completed Open Space

Great Western Tip Salt Creek Road Great Western Vic 3377


(potential Highway bypass)

Halls Gap Tip Devils Garden Road Halls Gap Vic 3381


Marnoo Tip Auvergne Road Marnoo Vic 3387

Northern Grampians Shire Council Putrescible 2013 Commenced Community recycling group

operating partial site and own infrastructure

Navarre Road Liquid Waste Receival Site

C/A 5 Sect 150 Parish of Stawell County of Borung Stawell Vic 3380

Northern Grampians Shire Council Liquid Waste 1996 N/A N/A

Stawell (East) Landfill Lavett Road Stawell Vic 3380

Northern Grampians Shire Council Putrescible 1999 Completed Private operator uses partial site

Stawell (North) Landfill

Mary Street (Haughton Street) Stawell Vic 3380

Northern Grampians Shire Council Putrescible N/A Completed Open Space

Stawell Landfill Hill Street Stawell Vic 3380

Northern Grampians Shire Council Solid Inert 1998 Completed Open Space





WASTES ACCEPTED

DURING OPERATION



CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE

ON SITE

PYRENEES SHIRE COUNCIL

Amphitheatre Landfill C/A 46c Parish Yalong Greenhill Creek Road Amphitheatre Vic 3468

Pyrenees Shire Council (Shire of Lexton)

Putrescible N/A Completed Nil

Avoca Landfill (Rubbish Depot)

82 Russell Street Avoca Vic 3467

Pyrenees Shire Council (Shire of Avoca)


Beaufort Landfill 2 Tip Road Beaufort Vic 3373

Pyrenees Shire Council (Shire of Ripon)


Carranballac Landfill Estimated 6754 Glenelg Highway Carranballac Vic 3361 Lot 2 Lp146116

Private Landholder Putrescible N/A Completed Nil

Crowlands Landfill Lot 2 TP250031 Crowlands - Eversley Road Crowlands Vic 3377



Landsborough Landfill 2161 Landsborough – St Arnaud Road Landsborough Vic 3384


Putrescible N/A Completed Transfer Station

Lexton Landfill Sandlant Road Lexton Vic 3352 C/A 1a Sec F Parish Lexton

Pyrenees Shire Council (Shire of Lexton)


Moonambel Landfill Mountain View Road Moonambel Vic 3478 C/A 89h Parish Warrenmang

Crown Putrescible N/A Completed Nil

Natte Yallock Landfill Road Reserve Old Tip Road Natte Yallock Vic 3465



Navarre Landfill Stawell - Avoca Road Frenchmans Vic 3384 C/A 2004 Parish Barkly

Crown Putrescible N/A Completed Nil

Raglan Landfill Road Reserve Tip Road Raglan Vic 3373



Snake Valley Landfill 298 Snake Valley – Morchup Road Snake Valley Vic 3351


Putrescible N/A Completed Transfer Station



SITE NAME ADDRESS DUTY HOLDER WASTES

ACCEPTED DURING OPERATION




ON SITE

WEST WIMMERA SHIRE COUNCIL

Apsley Landfill Casterton – Apsley Road Apsley Vic 3319

West Wimmera Shire Council Putrescible 1999 Completed Transfer Station

Benayeo Landfill Brippick Road Benayeo Vic 3319

West Wimmera Shire Council Putrescible 1999 Completed Nil

Charlegrark Landfill Kaniva Edenhope Road Charlegrark Vic 3319


Chetwynd Landfill Chetwynd Tip Road Chetwynd Vic 3312


Derghold Landfill Quinn Road Dergholm Vic 3312


Douglas Landfill Wombelano Road Douglas Vic 3409


Edenhope Landfill Moss Street Edenhope Vic 3318


Goroke Landfill Depot Lane Goroke Vic 3412


Harrow Landfill Nhill – Harrow Road Harrow Vic 3317


Kaniva Municipal Tip South Lillimur Road Kaniva Vic 3419

West Wimmera Shire Council (Shire of Kaniva)


Miram Landfill Church Street Miram Vic 3415


Lillimur Landfill K Clark’s Road Lillimur Vic 3420


Serviceton Landfill Tip Road Serviceton Vic 3420





SITE NAME ADDRESS DUTY HOLDER WASTES

ACCEPTED DURING OPERATION




ON SITE

YARRIAMBIACK SHIRE COUNCIL

Lah Landfill Henty Highway Lah Vic 3393

Yarriambiack Shire Council SIW 2012 Completed N/A

Lascelles Tip Lascelles Vic 3487 Yarriambiack Shire Council Putrescible 1997 Completed N/A

Lubeck Tip Lubeck Vic 3381 Yarriambiack Shire Council Putrescible 1997 Completed N/A

Minyip (North) Tip Minyip Vic 3392 Yarriambiack Shire Council Putrescible 2010 Completed Transfer Station

Murtoa Tip Off Wimmera Highway Murtoa Vic 3390

Yarriambiack Shire Council (Shire of Dunmunkle)


Rosebery Tip Rosebery Vic 3395 Yarriambiack Shire Council Putrescible 1995 Completed N/A

Sheep Hills Landfill Hausler Road Sheep Hills Vic 3392

Yarriambiack Shire Council SIW 2014 Completed N/A

Wallup East Tip Wallup East Vic 3401 Yarriambiack Shire Council Putrescible 2009 Completed N/A

Woomelang Tip Woomelang Vic 3485 Yarriambiack Shire Council Putrescible 2010 Completed Transfer Station

To the best of the knowledge of the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group, all closed landfills facilities have been included on this schedule. Please note that inclusion of a closed landfill in this schedule should not in any way be construed as a warranty or representation as to the quality, compliance, effectiveness or suitability of the closed facilities and their rehabilitation status. Whilst Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group has made every effort to compile this information accurately and completely, the list of closed landfill facilities included, information and comments in the ‘other considerations' section are not exhaustive, and are provided to generally facilitate the achievement of the objectives of the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic). Further information about individual facilities should be sought from the Environment Protection Authority, or (where appropriate) owners or operators of facilities.

TABLE 27. EXPLANATION OF LANDFILL REHABILITATION STATUS

STATUS CRITERIA EXPLANATION

Yet to Commence Rehabilitation Yet to begin process of rehabilitation

Rehabilitation Commenced Working to design a rehabilitation plan and undertake rehabilitation activities appropriate to each site

Rehabilitation Completed Rehabilitation appropriate to the site and regulation relevant at the time of closure has been completed. No further rehabilitation activities planned or required

Ongoing Monitoring & Maintenance

Landfills that are undergoing a range of activities including: Monitoring of groundwater, surface water, landfill gas, leachate and cap settlement Landfill cap maintenance to prevent erosion, restore depressions, seal cracks, restore vegetation Leachate control systems (if applicable) Landfill gas-extraction system (if applicable)



APPENDIX ONE – ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS

ABBREVIATION / ACRONYM DEFINITION

ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics

AS5377 Australian Standard 5377: Collection, storage, transport and treatment of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment

AWT Alternative Waste Technologies

BAU Business as Usual

BPEM Best Practice Environmental Management (Siting, design, operation and rehabilitation of landfills – Best Practice Environmental Management, Publication 788.3, EPA Victoria, 2014)

C&D Construction and Demolition

C&I Commercial and Industrial

CEO Chief Executive Officer

CHAF Central Highlands Agribusiness Forum

CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

DELWP Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

EfW Energy from Waste

EPA Environment Protection Authority Victoria

EP Act Environment Protection Act 1970

ERF Emissions Reduction Fund

EU European Union

Framework Victorian Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Planning Framework

FTE Full Time Equivalent

GCW WRRG Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group

Group / the Group Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group

IAP2 Spectrum International Association for Public Participation – Spectrum of Public Participation

LGA Local Government Area (Council)

Ministerial Guideline Ministerial Guideline: Making, amending and integrating the Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan and Regional Implementation Plans

MRF Materials Recovery Facility

MSW Municipal Solid Waste

NEPM Natural Environment Protection Measure

NTCRS National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme

PCB Project Control Board

PDF / PEF Process Derived Fuels / Process Engineered Fuels

PIW Prescribed Industrial Waste

PPR Public Place Recycling

RDV Regional Development Victoria

RDF Refuse Derived Fuels

Region Grampians Central West Region


ABBREVIATION / ACRONYM DEFINITION

Regional Implementation Plan Grampians Central West Implementation Plan

RRC Resource Recovery Centre

RWRRD Sustainability Victoria’s Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Database

RWRRIP Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan

SEPP State Environment Protection Policies

SIW Solid Industrial Waste

State Government State Government of Victoria

State Infrastructure Plan Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan

SV Sustainability Victoria

TARG Technical Advisors Reference Group

TDF Tyre-derived Fuel

TS Transfer Station

UTRC Used Tyre Recycling Corporation

VIF Victoria in Future 2015

VAGO Victorian Auditor General’s Office

VLAA Victorian Litter Action Alliance

VRIAS Victorian Recycling Industries Annual Survey

WRR Waste and Resource Recovery

WRRG Waste and Resource Recovery Group



APPENDIX TWO – REFERENCES

Beaufort Hospital Bioenergy Project Investment Case Study, Sustainability Victoria, 2015

Berrybank Farm Investment Case Study, Sustainability Victoria, 2015

Bioenergy and Agriculture Case Study Series 1.3, Victorian Government, 2015

Broken windows: the police and neighborhood safety, Kelling, George L.; Wilson, James Q. Atlantic Monthly, 1982

Calculating the Landfill Levy and Recycling Rebates Publication 332.6, EPA Victoria, 2015

Central Highlands Regional Growth Plan, Victorian Government, 2014

City of Ballarat Waste Management Strategy, City of Ballarat 2013

Climate-Ready Victoria Grampians Factsheet, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, 2015

Draft Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan, Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group, 2015

Environment Protection Act 1970

Grampians Central West Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment, Blue Environment, unpublished 2016

Guide to Best Practice at Resource Recovery Centres, Sustainability Victoria, 2009

"Hepburn Hot Trash" Facebook and Instagram Sites Launched Hepburn Shire Council Media Release, Hepburn Shire Council, March 2016

Highlands Regional Waste Management Plan, Maunsell McIntyre Pty Ltd, 1999

Landfill Levy Data, EPA Victoria, 2015, unpublished

Managing Landfills, Victorian Auditor-General’s Report, 2014

Ministerial Guideline: Making, amending and integrating the Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan and Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans

Regional Waste Management Plan 2007 – 2012, Grampians Regional Waste Management Group, 2009

Review of Council Municipal Waste Services and Waste Management Plan, Pyrenees Shire Council, 2015

Siting, design, operation and rehabilitation of landfills – Best Practice Environmental Management, Publication 788.3, EPA Victoria, 2014

Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan Victoria 2015 - 44, Sustainability Victoria, 2015

Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operators – Consolidated Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Group Report, Sustainable Resource Use Pty Ltd for Sustainability Victoria, unpublished, 2015

Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operators – Grampians Central West Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Group Report, Sustainable Resource Use Pty Ltd for Sustainability Victoria, unpublished, 2015

The Tipping Point, Gladwell, M., 2000

Victoria in Future, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, 2015

Victorian Community and Business Waste Education Strategy, Sustainability Victoria, 2016

Victorian Local Government Annual Survey trend data, Sustainability Victoria, 2015, unpublished

Victorian Local Government Annual Waste Services Report 2013-14, Sustainability Victoria, 2015

Victorian Market Development Strategy for Recovered Resources, Sustainability Victoria, 2016

Victorian Organics Resource Recovery Strategy, Sustainability Victoria, 2015

Victorian Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Database v3; waste and resource recovery data provided by Sustainability Victoria

Victoria’s Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Investment Prospectus, Sustainability Victoria, 2015

Waste Management Policy (Siting, Design and Management of Landfills) 2004, EPA Victoria

West Wimmera Shire Council Rural Resource Recovery Centres Best Practice Review and Priority Improvements Program, Impact Blue Pty Ltd 2014

Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Growth Plan, Victorian Government, 2014


APPENDIX THREE – DATA SOURCES

DATA SOURCE DESCRIPTION

Victorian Local Government Annual Survey (VLGAS)

Annual data on materials collected through Council kerbside collection systems and published by SV. All Councils in Victoria participate. The survey provides trending data on recyclables, organics, residual waste, hard waste and litter. The State Infrastructure Plan uses survey data from the financial year 2011/2012, which is available on the SV website at www.sustainability.vic.gov.au

Victorian Recycling Industries Annual Survey (VRIAS)

Annual data collection measuring tonnages of materials diverted from landfill by major re-processors in Victoria. This is used to measure progress against Victorian waste reduction targets, and trends in the recovery of waste materials. The survey is voluntary and although the return rate is relatively constant, contributors can vary from year to year. VRIAS is available on the SV website at www.sustainability.vic.gov.au

EPAs landfill levy returns Unpublished information provided by EPA on a confidential basis.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Population Data

ABS Catalogue Number 3101.0 - Australian Demographic Statistics, Sep 2014

Victorian Landfill Audits SV’s disposal-based waste survey, 2009. A visual waste audit of eight metropolitan landfills, one regional landfill and one transfer station, covering 2003 separate inbound loads.

Victoria in Future 2015 Victoria in Future (VIF) is the official state government projection of population and households

Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Database

SV’s purpose-built database for data storage, analysis and projection to assist development of Regional Implementation Plans and alignment with the State Infrastructure Plan.

Grampians Central West Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment

Existing capacity, annual throughput and future capacity requirements for consolidation and resource recovery infrastructure have been estimated through the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Capacity and Needs Assessment project. This assessment has been informed by engagement with operators and owners and historical data provided by Sustainability Victoria. Data collected through this process has been presented in aggregated form in this document to protect commercial in confidence information. Data from facility operators has been used in conjunction with outputs of the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery projection models to provide an assessment of current capacity and future infrastructure capacity requirements. While the best available data has been used, the analysis presented in this plan should be considered indicative only as it is acknowledged that data and information gaps exist.

Survey and analysis of regional reprocessors and material recovery facility operators, Sustainable Resource Use Pty Ltd for Sustainability Victoria, unpublished, 2015

Data on the activity of reprocessors and material recovery facilities in regional Victoria.



APPENDIX FOUR – LEGISLATION AND POLICY CONTEXT

Requirements of the Environment Protection Act 1970

Division 2AD – Regional waste and resource recovery implementation plans

50B Preparation of draft Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans

(1) Each Waste and Resource Recovery Group must prepare a Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation plan for its waste and resource recovery region.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), each Waste and Resource Recovery Group must submit a draft Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan to Sustainability Victoria and to the Authority within 12 months after the State-Wide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan takes effect.

(3) A draft Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan must be submitted by the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group within 3 months after the date on which the first State-Wide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan takes effect.

(4) The Authority must make any comments within 60 days after receiving a draft Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan.

50BA Objective of Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans

The objective of a Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan is to set out how the waste and resource recovery infrastructure needs of a waste and resource recovery region will be met over at least a 10-year period.

50BB Content of Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans

(1) A Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan must include—

(a) A description and analysis of waste and resource recovery infrastructure within its waste and resource recovery region, including a consideration of—

(i) environmental and financial performance; and

(ii) current infrastructure and anticipated opportunities for providing infrastructure across the waste and resource recovery region; and

(iii) the waste and resource recovery infrastructure needs, priorities and preferred locations for the waste and resource recovery region; and

(iv) regional transport and land use planning; and

(b) a description of how the long-term directions in the State-Wide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan will be implemented to give effect to local and regional infrastructure needs within the waste and resource recovery region; and

(c) a schedule of existing and required waste and resource recovery infrastructure within the waste and resource recovery region including—

(i) the type, general location and other requirements of new waste and resource recovery infrastructure, other than landfills; and

(ii) the timeframe for when new waste and resource recovery infrastructure is needed; and

(iii) an identification of steps required to align the schedule with local planning schemes; and

(iv) the proposed sequence for the filling of available landfill sites for at least the next 10 years; and

(v) a program for replacing and rehabilitating landfill sites; and

(vi) the intended or likely date of closure of each landfill site; and

(vii) options for future landfill capacity and resource recovery infrastructure; and

(d) any matters required by guidelines made under section 50CA.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), a Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan must be consistent with any policy and any government policies.

(3) If a Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan is inconsistent with a policy, the policy prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.


50BC Consultation during preparation of Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans

Before submitting a draft Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan to Sustainability Victoria and to the Authority under section 50B, a Waste and Resource Recovery Group must consult with—

(a) the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Primary Industries; and

(b) the Chairman; and

(c) the Chairperson of Sustainability Victoria; and

(d) the Chairperson of each Waste and Resource Recovery Group; and

(e) the chairperson of the Urban Renewal Authority Victoria; and

(f) the chief executive of each council within its waste and resource recovery region.

50BD Further preparation of Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans

(1) On the submission of a draft Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan under section 50B, each Waste and Resource Recovery Group and Sustainability Victoria must work together to integrate the priorities and directions of the Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan and the State-Wide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan and to resolve any differences in the Plans.

(2) Each Waste and Resource Recovery Group and Sustainability Victoria are jointly responsible for integrating the Plans for a period of up to 6 months.

(3) Sustainability Victoria and each Waste and Resource Recovery Group must—

(a) take into account any comments made by the Authority under section 50B(4); and

(b) amend the schedule of existing and required waste and resource recovery infrastructure within the draft Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan if the Authority objects to the inclusion of a proposed landfill on the ground that it is unlikely to meet the requirements of a relevant policy.

(4) The integration process in subsections (1) to (3) must comply with any guidelines issued under section 50CA.

(5) A Waste and Resource Recovery Group must submit a draft Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan to the Minister for approval—

(a) no later than 6 months after submitting a draft to Sustainability Victoria and the Authority under section 50B; and

(b) not before either the Authority has provided its comments under section 50B(4) or the 60 days in which the Authority may comment on the Plan have expired.

(6) On receiving a draft Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan under subsection (5) the Minister must—

(a) approve the Plan; or

(b) approve the Plan with amendments; or

(c) return the Plan to the relevant Waste and Resource Recovery Group for amendment.

(7) If the Minister returns the Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan to a Waste and Resource Recovery Group under subsection (6)(c), the Minister must give directions as to the amendments required to be made to the draft Plan.

(8) A Waste and Resource Recovery Group must comply with a direction of the Minister under subsection (7) within 30 days or a longer period specified by the Minister.

50BE Publication of approval of Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans

(1) The Minister must cause to be published in the Government Gazette a notice of approval of a Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan.

(2) The notice of approval must be published—

(a) in the next general edition of the Government Gazette; or

(b) in a special edition of the Government Gazette within 10 working days after the approval of the Plan.

(3) A Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan takes effect on—

(a) the date on which the notice of approval is published in the Government Gazette; or

(b) a later date specified in the notice.

(4) A Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan remains in force until it is replaced by another Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan.



50BF Publication of Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans

(1) A Waste and Resource Recovery Group must publish a copy of its Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan on its Internet site within 7 days of a notice of approval of the Plan being published in the Government Gazette.

(2) Sustainability Victoria must publish a copy of a Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan on its Internet site within 7 days of a notice of approval of the Plan being published in the Government Gazette.

(3) A Waste and Resource Recovery Group and Sustainability Victoria must each publish on its Internet site a revised copy of a Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan within 7 days of a notice of approval of an amendment or variation to the Plan being published in the Government Gazette.

50BG Amendment of Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans

(1) A Waste and Resource Recovery Group may prepare draft amendments to its Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan at any time, including any schedule of existing and required waste and resource recovery infrastructure within the Plan.

(2) The Minister may at any time direct a Waste and Resource Recovery Group to prepare draft amendments to its Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan within a specified period of time.

(3) The Minister may at any time make a variation to a Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan that is declaratory, machinery or administrative in nature.

(4) Sections 50BC, 50BD and 50BE apply to an amendment of a Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan under subsections (1) and (2) as if the amendment were a draft Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan.

(5) Sections 50BD (6) to (8) and 50BE apply to a variation of a Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan under subsection (3) as if the variation were a draft Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan.

50BH Consistency with Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans

(1) A council must perform its waste management functions consistently with the Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan applying to the council's municipal district.

(2) If a council disposes of waste in a waste and resource recovery region other than the waste and resource recovery region in which the council's municipal district is located, the disposal of the waste must be consistent with the Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan applying to the other waste and resource recovery region.

(3) Any person involved in the generation, management or transport of waste within a waste and resource recovery region must not do anything in relation to the waste that is inconsistent with the relevant Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan while the waste is in that region.


Policy Documents

DOCUMENT SUMMARY

The Minister for the Environment, Environment Protection Act 1970 (EP Act)

The overarching Act for waste management and the environment in Victoria. In August 2014, it was amended to establish the Victorian Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Planning Framework. The framework facilitates strategic planning for waste and resource recovery at both the state and local level for regional communities. The framework, as articulated in section 50CA of the EP Act, is constituted by the following:

Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan

Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans

Any guidelines made under section 50CA in relation to the Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan and Regional Implementation Plans

The formal integration process of the state and regional plans as outlined in section 50BD of the EP Act.

Pollution abatement notices (which are issued by the EPA Victoria to direct a person to prevent further pollution or environmental risk by controlling on-site processes and practices) (EPA Victoria 2013c).

The preparation and content of Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans are outlined in Division 2AD Section 50B.

EPA Victoria, Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises and Exemptions) Regulations 2007

Stipulates the premises that are subject to and/or exempt from works approval and/or licensing by EPA. Under the EP Act and the EP Premises Regulations, EPA Victoria administers:

Works approvals (which are necessary for industrial and waste management activities that could potentially have a significant environmental impact) and appeals against such approvals.

Licences (which regulate waste acceptance and treatment, air and water discharges, and noise and odour, and which are required for scheduled premises).

Research development and demonstration approvals (similar to works approvals, however applicable to projects of a smaller size, timeframe and environmental impact. These approvals could be useful in the development of emerging markets as they may provide an opportunity for trial research projects with approvals that are simpler and at a lower cost than works approvals, are decided in 30 days, provide legal certainty and thereby encourage development of new technologies).

EPA Victoria, Environment Protection (Industrial Waste Resource) Regulations 2009

Replaced the Environmental Protection (Prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998 (the 1998 Regulations). The 1998 Regulations set out administrative and reporting requirements for businesses in relation to waste (for example exemption applications, permits/certificates for transport of prescribed industrial wastes (PIWs), and annual reporting requirements). The 2009 Regulations increased the responsibility of waste producers, transporters and receivers for waste management. The objectives are to:

Assist industry to implement the principle of the wastes hierarchy.

Prescribe requirements for assessing, categorising and classifying industrial waste and PIW.

Encourage industry to use industrial waste as a resource by exempting material from categorisation as PIW if a secondary beneficial reuse is established.

Establish the requirements for the transport and management of prescribed industrial waste including requirements for the tracking of PIW (Victorian Government 2009).

EPA Victoria, Best Practice Environmental Management Publication – Siting, Design, Operation and Rehabilitation of Landfills 2015

In 2010, the EPA changed the requirements for environmental management of landfills as part of its license reform program and this resulted in clearer identification of the responsibility of license holders and stricter, less flexible requirements as part of the license. The Landfill Best Practice Environmental Management (BPEM) is the guiding document for the management of licensed landfills in Victoria. The document outlines the requirements of landfill operators in the design, construction, operation and long term rehabilitation of landfill facilities. Two supporting guidelines - the Closed Landfill Guidelines 2012 and the Landfills exempt from licensing Guideline 2014 – work with the Landfill BPEM to provide the framework for operators on how to meet best practice requirements. The EPA monitor compliance through inspections, annual license performance statements, investigations and audits. The BPEM on its own is not enforceable. It is given legal force through the licence conditions. Compliance with the Landfill BPEM and its amendments in recent years has required the industry to invest in considerable improvements to the development of new landfill cells, and in the management of closed landfills which pose a risk to the community



DOCUMENT SUMMARY

EPA Victoria, Energy from Waste Guidelines

Provides guidance for industry, government and the community on the EPA’s expectations for energy from waste projects. In particular, the document focuses on the siting, design, construction and operation of such facilities. The guidelines, however, are high level. The document outlines how the Environment Protection Act 1970 and associated statutory policies and regulations are applied to the assessment of energy from waste proposals. The guidelines closely mirror the standards set for emissions in the EU opening the door for existing technologies to be considered.

EPA Victoria, Designing, Constructing and Operating Composting Facilities (Composting Guidelines)

Provides information on composting operators’ obligations under laws administered by the EPA and provides suggestions on how to comply. Specifically, it:

Provides composting operators with advice on how to design, construct and manage composting facilities in a manner that protects human health and the environment in Victoria.

Will be used to inform EPA decision making for facilities that require research, design and demonstration approvals, works approvals and licences.

Will be used by EPA as a guide for how premises could resolve issues of non-compliance.

Whilst not explicitly restricting the use of open windrow technology in metropolitan areas, the Composting Guideline does set conditions that suggest only in-vessel processing facilities are acceptable.

EPA Victoria, State Environmental Protection Policy (Control of Noise from Commerce, Industry and Trade)

State environment protection policies (SEPPs) are subordinate legislation made under the provisions of the Act to provide more detailed requirements and guidance for the application of the Act to Victoria. SEPPs aim to safeguard the environmental values and human activities (beneficial uses) that need protection in Victoria from the effect of pollution and waste.

The Noise SEPP aims to protect people from the effects of industrial and commercial noise in neighbouring residential zones. This is particularly relevant in Melbourne and regional urban centres where residential development occurs close to or within the buffer zones of industrial facilities such as waste MRFs and reprocessors.

EPA Victoria, State Environment Protection Policy (Ambient Air Quality and Air Quality Management)

The Air SEPP aims to protect air quality in Victoria and sets goals, monitoring and reporting protocols for six common pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), photochemical oxidants (as ozone), sulphur dioxide (SO2), lead and particles as PM10. The SEPP also includes a separate objective for visibility reducing particles, which is not included in the National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM).

Sustainability Victoria, Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan 2015-2044, approved by the Minister for Environment pursuant to section 50AD of the EP Act

This document provides Victoria with the long-term vision and roadmap to guide future planning for waste and resource recovery infrastructure. It describes the current waste and resource recovery system at the state level and models projections for future trends in waste generation, recovery and landfilling over the next 30 years. The goals are:

Landfills will only be for receiving and treating waste streams from which all materials that can be viably recovered have been extracted

Materials are made available to the resource recovery market through aggregation and consolidation of volumes to create viability in recovering valuable resources from waste

Waste and resource recovery facilities including landfills are established and managed over their lifetime to provide the best economic, community, environment and public health outcomes for local communities and the state and ensure their impacts are not disproportionately felt across communities.

Targeted information provides the evidence base to inform integrated statewide waste and resource recovery infrastructure planning and investment at the state, regional and local levels by industry, Councils, waste and resource recovery groups, government agencies and the broader community.

Making, amending and integrating the Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan and Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans

Ministerial Guideline prepared for the purposes of Section 50CA of the EP Act

Council waste management plans and strategies

Currently each Council has a Council Plan, and some have Waste Management Strategies or Plans that outline its future direction and commitments. Each plan details a number of objectives, goals and strategies that relate to waste management either directly or indirectly.


DOCUMENT SUMMARY

Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic)

Transport Integration Act 2009 (Vic)

Local Government Act 1989

Public Administration Act 2004

Financial Management Act 1994

Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014

Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)

In addition to the specific legislative requirements under the EP Act, these Acts need to be considered in relation their obligations

INTEGRATION OF STATE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN WITH SEVEN REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

ACHIEVING THE STATE INFRASTRUCTURE GOALS

Source: Sustainability Victoria 2015, Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan Victoria 2015 – 44



PROJECT GOVERNANCE

GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST IMPLEMENTATION PLAN GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

GROUP ROLE

GCWWRRG Board

The GCWWRRG Board is a statutory agency acting as the Project Control Board (PCB) for the project. The Board will provide feedback and final approval on project plans, engagement plans, budgets and key drafts throughout the process. The Board will monitor the implementation of the project plan and key risks throughout the process. Reports on the progress of the project and key risks will be provided on at least a bi-monthly basis.

Grampians Central West Implementation Plan Working Group

The Grampians Central West Implementation Plan Working Group is made up of representatives from SV, Council staff, the Grampians Central West WRRG Board and Staff. The group will provide advice and feedback on key processes and documents as required. Any major changes or recommendations will be approved by the Board.

GCW Project Team

A working group made up of Grampians Central West WRRG staff has also been formed to oversee the project planning and delivery. This group includes the Executive Officer, Manager Infrastructure Planning, Manager Procurement, Community Engagement Coordinator and the Project Support Officer, as well as other staff as required.

Local Government Waste Forum

Representatives of all 12 Council authorities across the region meet quarterly and are consulted and engaged throughout the development of the regional implementation plan at forum meetings, through meetings with each council and through the Technical Advisors Reference Group (TARG).

EXTERNAL GROUP ROLE

The Statewide Implementation Plan Working Group

The Statewide Working Group consists of SV and all Victorian WRRG, DELWP and EPA. The role of this group is to share information and ensure a consistent approach to Implementation Plan development, which aligns with the Statewide Infrastructure Plan.


APPENDIX FIVE – STATEWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL AND FINANCIAL FACTORS

Statewide Summary: Environmental and Financial Factors Influencing the Performance of Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure

Background

In May 2015, the Victorian Government commissioned a high level analysis of the economic and environmental factors that impact the performance of Waste and Resource Recovery (WRR) Infrastructure in Victoria. This was a broad assessment that aimed to identify key factors and highlight their potential impact on specific types of waste and resource recovery infrastructure. The analysis was drawn from existing reports and stakeholder consultation.

SUMMARY

There are many factors influencing the performance of waste and resource recovery infrastructure, both positively and negatively; which play out in different ways across the state and change over time and infrastructure type, size and location. At a broad level, they are:

Financial and Economic Factors

Market Economics

The functioning of the WRR market has considerable impact on the performance of infrastructure. Traditional high volume, low value commodity streams typify the industry and have led to business models that are exposed to changes in market conditions. A key factor currently impacting infrastructure performance is the condition of end markets, both locally and internationally. For example, a considerable fall in base metal prices is impacting scrap metal reprocessors in Victoria; and limited local markets for compost impacts organics processing infrastructure. A number of types of infrastructure are heavily reliant on export markets, which can be affected by both commodity prices and international policy decisions. For example, export markets for tyre derived products and mixed low grade plastic and paper have contracted in recent years impacting the performance of related infrastructure types. Increases in transport and operational costs have impacted many types of infrastructure and this is most prevalent in regional and rural Victoria.

Policy Settings

Current and potential future policy and regulatory settings impact performance of infrastructure. In Victoria, the policy and regulatory framework has many elements and covers the activities of Councils and private industry. The landfill levy remains the key instrument aimed at driving resource recovery. The current levy supports reprocessing infrastructure for heavy materials (such as concrete, brick and masonry) mainly around urban areas but is not yet considered high enough to drive processing of residual waste.

Land use planning controls remains a key factor particularly impacting landfills and organics reprocessing infrastructure. Residential development has reduced the separation distances to some facilities and led to community complaints; and overall the availability of land for waste and resource recovery management activities near urban areas has declined. Potential changes to policy settings such as landfill bans and product stewardship schemes may have significant impacts on the economic performance of some WRR infrastructure.

Industry Trends

Performance of infrastructure such as material recovery facilities (MRFs) for commingled waste benefits from strong community support for recycling at the household level. In addition, global trends in technology ranging from truck bodies that improve compaction rates to complex infrastructure for sorting material streams improves efficiency, benefits recovery rates and sale-ability of end products. In Victoria, performance of infrastructure is being impacted by a general decline in manufacturing.



Environmental Factors

Management of emissions and amenity issues

A key environmental factor is the management of emissions and the associated amenity impacts on the local community. Odour remains the most prevalent issue, being particularly relevant to landfills and organics processing facilities. Noise and dust remain common factors impacting the performance of reprocessing infrastructure, in particular those facilities processing concrete, brick and masonry. The generation of leachate at many landfill sites contributes to odour issues and the treatment and discharge of leachate is an ongoing challenge.

Compliance and monitoring

In light of the ongoing issues with emissions and amenity impacts, a key factor improving the performance of infrastructure is the rigorous compliance and monitoring framework. High risk infrastructure such as landfills and organics processing facilities must be managed in accordance with EPA guidelines such as the guideline for Best practice environmental management – Siting, design, operation and rehabilitation of landfills (Landfill BPEM) and recently released guidelines for Designing, constructing and operating composting facilities. These guidelines require operators to implement a management controls which are monitored through licenses and regular site inspections.

Legacy issues / Post closure rehabilitation of landfill sites

A key factor that is impacting the current and future financial and environmental performance of landfill facilities relates to legacy issues from closed or capped landfill cells and the overall rehabilitation of landfill sites. Recent changes to the Landfill BPEM are likely to drive improved environmental performance at current landfills. However, Victoria has a large number of landfills that have been operating for decades and the management of legacy sites, particularly in regional and rural Victoria remains an issue. The provisions for post closure aftercare and rehabilitation are varied and may also impact performance in the long term.

Statewide and regional perspectives

A continual theme across the majority of these factors is the considerable differences in the performance of infrastructure in metropolitan Melbourne compared to facilities in regional and rural Victoria. In general terms, performance and indeed operating conditions are more favourable in metropolitan Melbourne where economies of scale drive greater access to material. Large landfill sites in Melbourne perform on average better than their smaller regional and rural counterparts as they are more easily able to absorb compliance and development costs due to the significant volumes of waste managed. Similarly, the dominance of the major reprocessors in Melbourne has led to the closure of a number of regional operators (for example some smaller MRF operators) as the larger players are able to compete on price. This is however not always the case, with a number of regional organisations, including those offering employment to disadvantaged and long term unemployed, operating successfully.


INFRASTRUCTURE CATEGORY

KEY ECONOMIC FACTORS IMPACTING PERFORMANCE

KEY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IMPACTING PERFORMANCE

OPPORTUNITIES FUTURE OUTLOOK – 5 YEARS

Resource Recovery Centre (RRC) / Waste Transfer Station (TS)

Transport / Freight Costs High costs are particularly an issue for rural and

regional TS. Economies of scale Regional and rural TS / RRC in particular find it

difficult to aggregate sufficient volumes of low value commodities to encourage the market to collect and process the material.

End markets Insufficient end markets for materials including

timber, polystyrene, mattresses and tyres impacts performance of this infrastructure

Movement of concrete and masonry is an issue at some regional and rural facilities.

Emissions to air, land and water / Amenity issues Noise and odour associated with putrescible

waste and onsite processing of organic waste can be an issue for facilities close to residential development.

Stockpiles of some materials, such as timber or compost, could be a fire risk if not managed appropriately.

Extreme weather / climate change impacts Many facilities cannot handle significant influxes

of material from extreme weather events. Regional and rural facilities are particularly prone to bushfire and flood risk.

Sustainability and other benefits of recycling / recovery

Recovery of materials has an environmental benefit.

Improved transport efficiencies. (e.g. compaction, larger trucks).

Regional processing at central points using mobile processing infrastructure may improve outcomes for these facilities.

Consolidation of sites and closure of regional landfills may improve throughput and increase cost effectiveness.

Current financial factors likely to continue to impact performance.

Consolidation of infrastructure may see larger, regional facilities which improve efficiencies and generate economies of scale for some materials.

Emergence of product stewardship schemes for materials such as tyres and mattresses may improve conditions for these commodities.

Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

Conditions of end markets Significant falls in commodities prices are

impacting profitability (e.g. plastics, metals and glass)

Export markets Many commodities being separated at MRFs

are dependent on export markets which have contracted in the last few years due to stricter controls on waste imports.

Landfill levy The increasing levy rates have been one of a

number of factors that have driven additional material into MRFs. The levy rate stabilises in 2015/16.

Tendering of MSW contracts This factor has significantly impacted regional

MRF operators with contracts being won by metropolitan MRFs who are actively seeking volume to complement existing contracts.

Emissions to air, land and water / Amenity issues – Some MRFs have had issues with odour and noise complaints from surrounding residents.

Sustainability and other benefits of recycling / recovery – Separation and recovery of materials has an environmental benefit.

Improve sorting efficiency and quality of end products (tied to the ability of the operator to secure MSW contracts and access capital)

Potential for the development of a methodology which may allow MRF operators to access Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF).

Increase volumes of commingled recyclables by improving services to the C&I sector (through Council contracts and the commercial collection market).

End market conditions are likely to persist as related to commodities prices. However, as commingled recycling is a recognised core service for most Councils the market will continue to support MRF operators.

Business model for MRF operators are likely to fluctuate as they take on commodity price risk.

The number of councils being paid for commingled recyclables may reduce if commodity prices remain low.







In Vessel Processing of Organics

Condition of end markets Compost markets are constrained. However,

there has been some improvement in recent years with bulk movement of material occurring from Melbourne to Gippsland and into N-E Victoria.

End market conditions are intrinsically linked to contamination and quality of end products and products designed for specific uses.

Gross contamination from household waste remains an issue.

Land-use Planning Controls Encroachment can impact the performance of

some existing facilities. There is limited suitable land for development of

new facilities particularly in built up areas. Transport / freight costs There are considerable freight costs associated

with moving recycled organics into agricultural markets. Back-loading is commonly employed to offset this impact.

Tendering of MSW contracts Significant volumes of garden, and increasingly

food organics, are now processed through council collection contracts. Management of contamination through these contracts remains a significant challenge.

Contamination is a cost both at the point of removal (or disposal for gross contamination) and in terms of its impact on the sale-ability of end products

Emissions to air, land and water In-vessel organics processing

infrastructure odour management has improved considerably. However, sites in built up areas and those that are processing food waste can still experience odour management issues.

Compliance and monitoring regime The Composting Guidelines detail EPA’s

expectations for the management of organic waste in order to meet the State Environment Protection Policies (SEPPs) and Regulations. The number of notices issued by EPA has increased in recent years and the guidelines may be a catalyst for more regular audits and inspections.

Opportunities relate primarily to the value and sale-ability of end products. Improvement of conditions for end markets offers opportunity for upside, and this may be achieved through introduction of new infrastructure and improved household education.

The potential for compost producers to generate credits under the ERF may present new opportunities to industry. CSIRO is investigating the ability of recycled organics to add carbon to soil.

This industry is almost entirely driven by the tendering of MSW contracts. Introducing new green and/or food waste services may present an opportunity.

The use of food waste and even prescribed waste streams to augment processing of garden organics can increase revenue for organics processors, however due to odour issues this is likely only to be feasible at in-vessel facilities.

The outlook for in-vessel processors remains good with new tenders likely to be released.

Environmental management at these sites is significantly better than open windrow alternatives as vessels are usually enclosed and under negative pressure. Increasing landfill costs will also support diversion of organics, particularly food organics which offers an opportunity and a challenge.

More advanced technologies for in-vessel processing and odour treatment may provide better odour control. This may create more potential sites, since reduced impacts could reduce required buffer distances.

Open Windrow Processing of Organics57

Emissions to air, land and water The performance of open windrow

compositing facilities is considerably impacted by the generation of odour and potential leachate contamination of ground and surface water. Managing these issues remains a considerable challenge for operators.

Odour is a particular issue for sites near built up urban areas or other sensitive uses.

Complaints from the community have eroded the social license to operate at some facilities.

The presence of physical contamination

The outlook for open windrow processing is mixed. It is likely that in coming years there will be few if any processors using this technology in built up areas.

The economics of scale and CAPEX required for in-vessel alternatives is prohibitive for many regional and rural areas, and as such it is likely that new open windrow processing facilities or covered / enclosed

57 EPA licensing is required when a facility has the capacity to process over 100 tonnes per month or 1,200 tonnes per year. Many organics processing activities occurring at rural landfills, transfer stations and on-farms may not require an EPA license. EPA’s Designing, Constructing and Operating Composting Facilities Guidelines (March 2015) are the appropriate guidelines to inform operators of all composting facilities regardless of whether or not a license is required.


in feedstock (particularly from MSW garden organics) is a challenge and its removal requires appropriate on-site equipment and management systems.

Potential movement of weeds/seeds and other pathogens are an ongoing risk requiring appropriate onsite management. This is of particular risk where material is being composted on or near productive land.

Stockpiles of material could be a potential fire risk if not managed appropriately.

Material that has not decomposed thoroughly (also known as oversized) and has no end use may have associated environmental and economic risks if not managed with appropriate equipment and systems.

Compliance and monitoring regime The Composting Guidelines outline

requirements for composting facilities that suggests it will be difficult to manage open windrow facilities in developed areas in the long term.

composting will emerge to service these areas.

Regional and rural facilities may also be set up to attract volumes from Melbourne.







Wood / Timber Processing

Conditions of end markets There are significant issues in moving low

quality, mixed timber in the market, from TS, C&D processors and C&I sorting facilities.

Some organisations working higher up the value chain (such as pallet repair and resale) are experiencing good conditions. However, reduced road development (a major avenue for chipped, low value mixed timber) is impacting performance with some facilities having significant stockpiles.

Business model The timber processing market is very volume

dependent with traditionally very low margins on gate fee and end product sales. The lack of end markets and reluctance in the market to pay to move timber (instead opting to stockpile and wait for cheaper options) is a considerable factor.

Trends in resource recovery technologies Globally, there are no viable processing options

for treated timber and manufactured timber. Whilst some waste to energy facilities are becoming operational it is yet to be seen whether air cleaning equipment to allow the thermal treatment of these products is feasible in Australia.

Emissions to air, land and water / Amenity issues Timber processing is generally a low impact

activity. However, there may be some noise impacts associated with chipping in large shredders and visual amenity impacts associated with stockpiling.

The key opportunity in this area is the emergence of energy from waste technologies able to utilise woody biomass to generate power. Some small scale facilities are now operating in Melbourne and regional Victoria with others in the planning phase.

However, the technology ideally needs to be able to eventually cope with manufactured and treated timbers also as these products make up a considerable portion of the timber waste stream and currently have no viable markets other than landfill.

New road projects predicted offer an opportunity for bulk movement of recovered timber for landscaping.

The outlook for the timber market is linked to two factors:

The degree to which EfW technology can utilise both clean and treated/manufactured timber streams

The emergence of road construction projects (and other major development projects involving landscaping).

Without these things, the performance outlook looks challenging.






Paper / Cardboard Industry trends / Economies of Scale Access to high quantities of clean material is a

key factor. Around two thirds of paper/cardboard is generated in the C&I sector and there is strong competition to get access to this material to generate economies of scale. Contamination is more easily managed in source separated C&I waste and this material is favoured.

Many companies do not use dedicated cardboard bins which means a significant volume of material is lost to landfill. Tendering of MSW contracts provides access to the remaining third of feedstock. This also dictates whether material is processed in Victoria, other Australian jurisdictions (mainly NSW) or internationally.

Conditions of end markets Paper / cardboard products are separated by

their value in terms of end market purchasing. Separated office paper has strong markets, however mixed, low grade paper (e.g. newsprint) does not move as freely on the international market.

Emissions to air, land and water There are some potential issues with

odour and trade waste related to paper/cardboard reprocessing.

The opportunity lies in recovering the tonnages of material that currently go to landfill. The majority is landfilled from the C&I sector and as such greater diversion and consolidation remains possible where the business case exists. Education and changes in trends within businesses may assist.

The construction of a new mill in Victoria will increase the local processing capacity for recycled paper.

Waste to energy is also an option for paper/cardboard that is highly contaminated.

Stricter enforcement on poorly sorted materials entering the Asian economies has had an impact on mixed low grade paper / cardboard. It is likely that this will continue into the future.

Markets for well separated office paper remain strong nationally and internationally.

Glass Market intensity There is only one manufacturer of glass in

Victoria who purchases the majority of beneficiated glass from MRF operators.

Cullet prices have been reduced in recent years to compete with international glass imports.

Reliance on one operator is a potential risk. Business models / Condition of end markets Alternative business models that do not rely on

the sale of cullet but instead use lower capex investment to crush glass into a sand replacement product have found some difficulty in finding markets.

Emissions to air, land and water / Amenity issues The key issue associated with glass

processing has been the management of the undersize fraction (known as “glass fines”). A number of large stockpiles of material exist to the west of Melbourne which impacts on visual amenity and has in the past led to notices being issued due to leachate reaching nearby surface water. An organic sludge can be generated from stockpiled post-consumer glass.

The value of glass cullet is dependent on the degree to which it can be separated. The introduction of improved technology to sort glass by colour down to smaller fractions (less than 5mm) offers a considerable opportunity. This can generate greater returns however this must be weighed up against the significant infrastructure costs.

Recent work with Victorian water authorities to use glass sand as pipe bedding has improved the markets for this product.

The glass cullet market is likely to remain stable in coming years and may grow if investment in glass beneficiation infrastructure increases volumes of colour and size sorted material.

The outlook for glass crushing infrastructure looks relatively positive in light of the increased uptake of some sand replacement products, however this is location dependent and more work is required to build a statewide market.

Off spec glass fines will remain an ongoing challenge for the industry.







Plastics Industry trends / Condition of end markets Victoria has traditionally been a hub for plastics

reprocessing, however the downturn in manufacturing conditions and closure of many manufacturing operations has significantly impacted plastics reprocessors.

There are limited local end markets leading to reprocessors sending material offshore.

Cost of labour / capex Increasing energy costs are impacting plastics

reprocessing. Export market strength Movement of mixed plastics and low grade plastics has

been constrained by increased border scrutiny of waste coming into Asian ports.

Consumer trends The trend toward flexible, multilayered plastics,

especially in food packaging. This material increases the shelf life of fresh products but currently not recyclable in Australia.

Emissions to air, land and water There are some potential emissions impacts (mainly air) associated with recycling plastics however most are managed well. Sustainability and other benefits of recycling / recovery There are considerable benefits

from recycling plastics (mainly relating to offsets in energy and oil consumption), however studies suggest there is a net cost associated with water usage.

Plastics value is dependent on the degree to which it can be separated by type. Clean, well separated plastics can generate strong prices. Improved technology to sort plastics by type offers a considerable market opportunity. This can generate greater returns) however must be weighed up against the significant infrastructure costs.

The plastics market outlook is varied. The local reprocessing industry appears to be contracting and may continue to do so based on local manufacturing decline.

Export of material will continue to increase as an option for recovered plastics and if MRF operators commence collecting flexible plastics there may be more pressure put on export of low value materials.

Rubber (incl. Tyres) Conditions of end markets Local recycling of end-of-life tyres has contracted by

around half in the past 5 years. This is due in part to limited local options for tyre derived products and cheaper offshore options for tyre derived fuel (TDF).

Export Market Strength / Transport/Freight costs Around 75% of processed end of life tyres are sent

offshore as TDF. This market has contracted significantly in 2015 after the closure of thermal plants in Malaysia and a tightening of import requirements in some Asian countries. This has led to many smaller processors and collectors of tyres going out of business.

Policy and Regulatory Framework The lack of strong regulation to limit tyre stockpiling has

had a considerable impact on tyre reprocessing infrastructure. This has driven poor practices and allowed the market to undercut more legitimate recycling operations. The introduction of regulations for the management of end of life tyres is likely to improve the economic performance of infrastructure.

Emissions to air, land and water / Amenity issues Stockpiling of material for

reprocessing or illegal storage constitutes significant risk for tyre reprocessing infrastructure in terms of potential fire and the associated impacts on air and water. Recent changes in legislation have been made to prevent this occurring.

A significant proportion of tyres are exported for use as fuel in thermal processing facilities around the world. Adequate environmental management standards of destination countries are an important consideration.

The price differential between local markets for high quality tyre crumb and international markets for shredded TDF is considerable. Whilst the processing costs to produce crumb rubber are considerably greater, the margins can be large enough to warrant this investment. This is dependent on demand for high quality crumb rubber which is currently limited in in Australia.

Improving local markets is a focus of the newly formed Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA). The combination of tighter regulation and the TSA accreditation scheme offers the industry an opportunity to build local markets and increase the sale of high quality products, in turn reducing the focus on low value exports.

The long term outlook for reprocessors of end of life tyres is good. However, the short to medium term conditions within the market indicates that the current pressures on local and international markets will persist.






Metals Conditions of end markets The slowdown in global construction has seen the

price of scrap metal (base metals such as scrap steel) fall more than 30% in the past 4 years which has significantly impacted performance of infrastructure. However, it should be noted that some non-ferrous metals are fetching record prices and as such this market is considerably stronger at present.

Economies of scale The low price of scrap metals is leading to

operators “hedging” through stockpiling as they wait for higher prices. This is also because many metals collectors are requiring greater volumes of material to justify transport expenses.

Cost of labour / capex costs The recycling of scrap steel into steel billet is an

energy intensive process and increasing energy costs have impacted margins.

Disposal costs associated with the by-products of shredding cars and whitegoods to reclaim scrap steel (shredder floc) are increasingly impacting the business.

Local reprocessing of non-ferrous metals such as aluminium have also been impacted by energy prices which may see some facilities close in coming years.

Emissions to air, land and water Noise issues associated with

both scrap metal yards and centralised processing facilities (shredders mainly) have been noted within the industry.

The disposal of shredder floc is limited to one licensed landfill and the presence of oils and PCBs in the material offers some potential environmental risk.

The vast majority of metals are brought to Melbourne for processing from across the state thus greenhouse gas emissions from transport are a factor for consideration.

There are opportunities for greater consolidation of material in regional Victoria to improve economics of scale.

Potential opportunities for operators to reduce operational costs through reduced power consumption (or onsite alternative fuel generation) and also through increased recovery of shredder floc.

There are options for processing shredder floc using pyrolysis or gasification, however at this stage it is likely not to be cost effective to invest in such infrastructure. Ongoing increases in power and waste disposal charges may improve the business case for investment of this infrastructure.

Most analysts are predicting ongoing softness in commodities prices into the future. It may well be the case that current prices for base metals are the “new normal” as opposed to a temporary low price. The major metals reprocessors are likely to continue to operate under these conditions as they can set the price (effectively the recovery of metals remains cost effective as long as it’s cheaper than landfilling) and manage operational costs more easily than small and mid-tier players.

The outlook for non-ferrous metals reprocessors looks more positive with prices for copper and aluminium likely to remain high.

Aggregate, masonry and soils

Government levies An ongoing driver supporting the diversion of

masonry products is the landfill levy. When combined with increasing operational costs it makes the business case for recycling heavy materials strong.

Transport / freight The cost of transport for C&D materials makes it

cost prohibitive to recover them beyond around a 50km radius to a processing facility.

Policy and Regulatory Framework The approval of Solid inert landfills may impact

the performance of C&D reprocessing in that area.

Emissions to air, land and water – Amenity issues associated

with noise and dust impact the performance of C&D processing infrastructure.

Community concerns have impacted the social license to operate for a number of facilities.

There are opportunities for further processing of C&D materials in regional and rural Victoria where costs and end markets allow.

Mobile processing infrastructure to

service local construction projects, as well as consolidation at regional hubs could be considered here.

The C&D industry is intrinsically linked to the construction market which is predicted to increase over the next 5 years indicating positive signs for C&D processing infrastructure.

The uptake of end products for construction and road development projects is favourable with competitive pricing and work being undertaken by Victoria and NSW to increase the profile of recycled aggregates.







Textiles (including mattresses)

Condition of end markets There are limited opportunities for recovery

and processing of textiles primarily because costs are high and the value of end products generally low. Performance of processing infrastructure is heavily impacted by end markets which have declined in line with general manufacturing

Capex Costs / Cost of labour Processing of mattresses in particular is

expensive as it is either heavily automated and requires high capex costs, or is via manual deconstruction which requires high opex/labour costs.

Consumer trends The textiles market is almost entirely gate fee

driven due to the limited resale value of end products. Consumers are often unwilling to pay the true cost of disposal for these instead opting to use kerbside bulk waste collections or seek lower rates at transfer stations.

Business models The industry is strongly driven by throughput

and low margins with many processors using lower cost labour alternatives (for example social enterprises) to maintain cost effectiveness. However, small changes in market conditions and high capex costs make the operation marginal and prone to issues.

Limited environmental issues with textiles recycling

Given that just 3% of textiles are recovered for reprocessing, there are opportunities for greater recovery and investment in improved infrastructure. However, the business case remains marginal in most instances.

Work underway within the industry to develop a product stewardship approach may influence recovery of mattresses.

The outlook for textiles recovery is less clear, it is unlikely the business case will improve under current conditions. Energy from waste infrastructure may become a viable alternative.






E-waste Business models The business case for investment in processing

infrastructure is dependent on continuous supply of feedstock from the existing National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) or, material collected outside of the scheme.

Low volumes of material and high processing costs attribute to export being financially more viable

Condition of end markets Commodity markets for processed e-waste is a

global, fluctuating market conditional on supply and demand.

Opex / Capex costs E-waste processing is labour intensive

increasing the cost to process and lowering processing efficiencies. However, where automated processing does exist to increase efficiency rates, it carries a higher power cost due to high electricity rates compared to shipping off shore.

Investment in downstream processing of components containing high value metals is very low.

Transport / Economies of scale High transport costs impact cost efficiencies.

Emissions to air, land and water – E-waste can contain hazardous components,

such as lead, mercury and arsenic, which, as whole items or as residual waste from e-waste processing can create long-term soil and groundwater contamination issues, and human health issues

These hazardous components can also pose a health and safety risk to workers in the landfill and recycling industry

Sustainability and other benefits of recycling / recovery A range of valuable non-renewable materials,

such as copper, silver and gold, may be recovered and made more available for further processing and reuse.

Less greenhouse gases are emitted through recovery of e-waste than that required to mine, process and transport raw materials to create new electronic products.

Opportunities may exist in investment in technology that increases the processing efficiency rates per kg / hr. Using more efficient technology can increase processing rates, lower contamination, improve material separation and yield a higher return on commodity markets.

Community interest in recycling televisions and computers is high. Targeted awareness-raising and education coupled with sufficient infrastructure to meet demand will help increase the amount of material available for processing.

Increasing community access to disposal points for e-waste could be achieved through collaborative procurements.

A stable and larger supply of feedstock for processors may lead to investment in improved processing technology.

Greater volumes of material will flow through the system as a result of:

The Victorian Government’s implementation of an e-waste landfill ban and appropriate supporting measures.

The increase in the annual NTCRS recycling target for the recovery of televisions and computers to over 65%

Victorians will be better informed and have greater access to e-waste collection points.

Processors that recover material as part of the NTCRS will have adopted AS5377 standard for collection, storage and processing of e-waste improving the standard and safety within which the processors operate.







Alternative Waste Technologies (AWTs) such as Mechanical Biological Treatment)

There are no operational facilities in Victoria, however a number have been recently considered and it is likely that processing of residual waste using this technology will occur in the future. Key economic factors likely to impact this technology includes: Landfill levy Investment in AWT infrastructure will be driven

almost entirely by the cost of disposal. Where the disposal cost exceeds gate fees for AWT s then investment may be encouraged. Currently, the levy has been stabilised at a rate that is potentially too low for significant sized investments to compete. (NB an inadequate supply of landfill airspace may also be factor that would likely increase the competitiveness of AWT)

Tendering of MSW contracts Large scale infrastructure requires significant

volumes of material that can usually only be achieved through Council contracts. Whilst most facilities will augment MSW volumes with C&I waste, securing a base-load via Council contracts is the basis for investment. Collective tendering of contracts to give the market access to large volumes of material has supported investment in AWT infrastructure in other parts of the world.

Condition of end markets The business case for large scale infrastructure

is dependent on both an attractive gate fee and end markets for separated materials. Whilst the Victorian conditions for typical commodities are likely to be suitable for this business case, most AWT facilities have some sort of lower value offtake that requires end markets (for example a refuse derived fuel for the residual dry fraction and a compost-like output from anaerobic digestion). Markets for these products are unknown and untested, and export markets may be difficult to access cost effectively.

Social licence to operate Appropriate and early engagement with the

community is necessary to ensure that facilities have support. This will be essential as these facilities will be largely unknown to the public

Emissions to air, land and water It is likely that similar issues as those associated

with in-vessel composting will be experienced for facilities such as MBTs however this is dependent on the volume and material. For example, odour is likely to be a key consideration for an MBT processing residual waste whilst dust and noise management is more likely a concern for a C&I dirty MRF.

There are considerable opportunities for processing of C&I waste in a dirty MRF facility. There have been some projects considered by industry that have not progressed due to capex issues and concerns with ability to sell RDF offtakes.

Climate change and renewable energy programs may see credits become available for certain facilities.

Smaller scale, onsite facilities may be viable in regional/rural settings.

The AWT category takes in a broad array of facilities and if landfill cost increases and airspace availability decreases then the business case for facilities may become more viable.

In the organics space, Victoria has seen AWT facilities (in- vessel composting facilities) to process organic waste successfully implemented. Collective tendering of residual waste may encourage the market to take similar steps.

The outlook remains positive, however, given the planning time needed to engage with the community and the required approvals, large scale facilities are unlikely to be operational in the next 5 years.






Energy from Waste (including pyrolysis, gasification and anaerobic digestion)

Landfill levy – As above Tendering of MSW contracts - As above Regulatory / approvals framework As yet, the EfW Guidelines have not been fully

tested by the market. It is likely that the approvals framework both within EPA Victoria and the concurrent planning approval will require considerable thought when such a proposal emerges.

Capex costs The high investment required (even small scale)

is a significant factor impacting potential projects.

End markets The outputs of EfW infrastructure differ

depending on the technology and feedstock. End markets across all types are a key factor in success. For example, the offtake of pyrolysis of tyres is likely to include a low grade diesel and the sale-ability of such a fuel is unclear particularly in the light of lower oil prices.

Direct energy is also a key market and the structure of the energy market in Victoria means that wholesale energy prices remain relatively low yet distribution costs are high. The attractiveness of energy offtakes from EfW infrastructure is marginal unless energy, particularly heat, can be utilised onsite or at nearby installations.

Social license to operate As above. International experience shows that

even in places where incineration is common, poor community engagement has led to projects being rejected.

Emissions to air, land and water The degree to which this is a factor depends on

the proposed technology and scale. Air scrubbing technology is advanced and the EfW Guidelines use the strict EU Standards as a baseline for air emissions. However, the management, treatment and disposal of filter cake and associated hazardous material may be an issue and require further treatment at an approved facility prior to disposal.

The management of bottom ash (for combustion plants) also need to be considered carefully

Potential for renewable energy certificates and emissions reduction fund credits

There are significant opportunities in two key areas:

Processing residual waste to reclaim energy from material destined to landfill (i.e. waste streams that have been processed to remove as much recyclate as is feasible)

Processing difficult material streams where existing processing options may be limited (such as tyres and treated timber)

The former is likely to be years away. The latter can be developed on a much smaller scale and deployed for onsite utilisation of energy which makes them significantly more viable than large scale facilities that require connection to the grid.

EfW facilities can also be designed to promote an integrated system, using MSW base load to drive the business case then bringing in a range of commercial waste steams to improve the return on investment.

Demonstration plants that utilise pyrolysis and gasification technology to process end of life tyres are currently in operation in NSW and are showing potential to be dramatically scaled up or even deployed at small scale to process material in regional areas.

Collaborative procurement for MSW contracts may drive the market to examine the feasibility of larger scale facilities, however it is unlikely that the business case is there to compete with landfill gate fees at the moment.







Landfills Capex / Opex costs A significant factor (particularly in regional

areas) is the increase in operational costs attached to compliance and monitoring requirements, and increased capex costs associated with cell construction and auditing. Whilst this is a factor for larger facilities also, they have a greater ability to absorb these costs in their ‘per tonne’ pricing due to the significant volume of material moving through them.

Regional landfills have expressed concerns about ongoing financial viability, however there is a reluctance to close and consolidate facilities as some Councils feel obliged to provide a local landfill for the community.

Government levies The impact of the landfill levy through its ability

to drive diversion has had an impact on the performance of landfill infrastructure over the past decade.

Consumer trends Victoria has an established system for kerbside

recycling. Attitudes in the community toward the landfilling of valuable materials continue to shift and sending material to ‘the tip’ is no longer appropriate in many communities.

Conditions of end markets / Export markets The inability of some markets to develop

feasible business cases for resource recovery continues to drive material being sent to landfill (e.g. timber, polystyrene and plastics).

Land use planning controls Encroachment of sensitive uses on facilities is a

significant issue. Residential development has been approved close to or into buffers for landfill facilities impacting the long term viability of a number of sites.

Emissions to air, land and water Amenity issues relating to odour and windborne

litter as well as the management of leachate. Odour complaints can peak from time to time, generally resulting from increased rainfall and poor management practices

Compliance and monitoring regime This factor adds complexity and cost to landfill

management but is generally improving environmental outcomes.

The need for suitable financial assurance to cover the cost of rehabilitation. Suitable provisions (such as financial assurance) are not being made by some landfill operators.

Post closure rehabilitation / Legacy issues Whilst the Landfill BPEM is improving the

management of new landfill cells, there are ongoing issues with some legacy sites which predate the current standards.

Progressive rehabilitation of closed cells remains a deficiency in the market, again with a particular focus on regional and rural landfills.

The primary opportunities relating to the performance of landfill infrastructure are:

improving environmental management (particularly odour and litter) and community engagement.

Improving leachate management.

Opportunities to improve economic performance of landfill infrastructure may include:

provisioning for aftercare and rehabilitation costs

consolidation of smaller regional and rural landfills

improved long term planning for cell development to reduce construction and design costs

new provisions to transfer landfill gas projects from the former CFI program into the ERF.

the installation of ‘Pre-sort’ infrastructure that can extract recyclables from the front end of a landfill can improve margins and preserve airspace, however issues related to markets for RDF offtakes will need to be overcome.

Co- location of resource recovery facilities in general at landfills should also be considered.

The performance outlook is varied. At least in the short term there are a number of regional and rural landfills facing significant costs to manage compliance and rehabilitation of existing and past cells. These costs may drive councils to consider closure and consolidation of some facilities.

The ongoing focus on compliance and enforcement by EPA will continue to drive improvements in environmental management and possibly contribute to increased operational costs.

Economic performance at larger landfills should remain strong as high barriers to entry and limited options for processing residual waste continues to preserve margins.


APPENDIX SIX – INFRASTRUCTURE SCHEDULING PROCESS

PROCESS ACTIONS TAKEN

Stage 1 – Regional assessment of infrastructure and options: Using information, data and direction provided by the State Infrastructure Plan, combined with additional regional specific information and data as required, WRRGs need to undertake an assessment of current resource recovery and landfill infrastructure and assess the options to manage projected future waste tonnages. The most suitable overall option/s that takes into consideration regional needs and State Infrastructure Plan direction should then be used to develop the infrastructure schedule.

i. Assess the current and projected regional waste generation by waste type

The Group in collaboration with Sustainability Victoria, compiled all available data for waste managed in the region. This data was assessed by an independent consultant utilising projected population growth and current trends to provide a base line of waste generated in the region under a business as usual scenario.

ii. Assess and map the current waste and resource recovery infrastructure capacity by type

The Group in collaboration with Sustainability Victoria, gathered information from industry and Councils regarding the infrastructure, materials accepted and capacity of each facility throughout the region and fed this information into the state data base. The evaluation of each facility capacity was undertaken by an independent consultant to project when additional capacity would likely be required. Site locations were identified utilising GIS coordinates to map each facility.

iii. Assess options to manage projected wastes to be managed

A needs and gaps analysis was carried out based on current infrastructure capacity and needs within the region. It was determined that additional capacity for resource recovery was required to meet the needs of the region and reduce material going to landfill. It was determined no additional landfill airspace was required within the region in the next 10 years. The Group together with the Barwon South Western WRRG conducted a market sounding process seeking information from industry, Councils, and the community in relation to potential new and/or increased infrastructure for resource recovery within the region. The market sounding process also provided an avenue for the industry to review and have input into the list of waste and resource recovery infrastructure which had been compiled at Stage 2.


Stage 2 – Scheduling resource recovery infrastructure: Based on the outcomes of stage 1, current and new resource recovery infrastructure can be scheduled. Based on the assessment completed in stage 1(iii) the scheduling of current and any additional resource recovery infrastructure is completed. Section 50BB (1)(c)(i) and (ii) of the EP Act requires that for resource recovery infrastructure, the following is detailed: the type, general location, other requirements, and timeframe for when new infrastructure is estimated to be required. The schedule should include all infrastructure that is, or is expected to be, recovering waste that is managed within the region.

Following completion of the assessment of existing and proposed infrastructure, the Schedules within the draft Implementation Plan were developed.


Stage 3 – Scheduling landfill infrastructure: Based on the outcomes of stages 1 and 2, the scheduling of landfill infrastructure can be completed. The projected landfill requirements should be based on the projections of regional waste tonnages to be managed less the tonnages of waste that is expected to be processed by the scheduled resource recovery infrastructure and wastes transferred to another Waste and Resource Recovery Region. Sections 50BB (1)(a) (ii), (iv), (v), (vi) of the EP Act are particularly relevant to scheduling landfill infrastructure.

i. Assess projected landfill disposal

Based on the results of the options assessment in stage 1(iii) and the scheduling of resource recovery infrastructure at stage 2, an assessment of the landfill tonnages requiring disposal over the next ten years was completed.

ii. No additional landfill capacity required

All current operating landfills have been included in the landfill schedule for the Grampians Central West region. The Group consulted with EPA Victoria and Councils to ensure all facilities with either Planning Permits or Works Approval to develop a new landfill facility within the Grampians Central West region have been identified.

iii. Additional landfill capacity required

Not Required. The need for additional landfill airspace will be reviewed in three to five years.



APPENDIX SEVEN – MAPS

A BASE MAP OF GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST REGION

B EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE

C HUBS OF STATE IMPORTANCE

D HUBS OF REGIONAL IMPORTANCE

E LANDFILL FACILITY – MADDINGLEY BROWN COAL

F LANDFILL FACILITY – SMYTHESDALE LANDFILL

G LANDFILL FACILITY – STATEWIDE WASTE REGIONAL LANDFILL

H LANDFILL FACILITY – DOOEN LANDFILL


A BASE MAP OF GRAMPIANS CENTRAL WEST REGION



B EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE


C HUBS OF STATE IMPORTANCE



D HUBS OF REGIONAL IMPORTANCE


E LANDFILL FACILITY – MADDINGLEY BROWN COAL



F LANDFILL FACILITY – SMYTHESDALE LANDFILL


G LANDFILL FACILITY – STATEWIDE WASTE REGIONAL LANDFILL



H LANDFILL FACILITY – DOOEN LANDFILL


APPENDIX EIGHT – COLLABORATION PROCESS AND OUTCOMES

During the development of the plan, the Group has undertaken an extensive consultation program across the region to ensure that all stakeholders have had an opportunity to provide input into the Regional Implementation Plan. This has been done using the 2015 the Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO) Public Consultation Guidelines as a framework for the consultation process. This has involved extensive consultation with all 12 Councils, industry, business, community groups and the provision of information to the community.

The objectives of the consultation on the development of the Implementation Plan is to:

1. Ensure the stakeholders and the community have sufficient opportunity to make comments on the consultation draft of the Regional Implementation Plan.

2. Ensure the consultation process for the draft Regional Implementation Plan is comprehensive and effective, thereby allowing as many stakeholder and community representatives to provide feedback as possible.

3. To ensure that the consultation period continues to foster robust relationships with key stakeholders and the community thereby ensuring there is an ongoing dialogue.

Recommendations identified in the report on public participation in decision-making prepared by VAGO have been considered in the development of our plan and the IAP2 Spectrum of public participation provides the framework for engaging with stakeholders and the community, as demonstrated in Figure 18.

THE IAP2 SPECTRUM

Community Community Groups Councils State Government Authorities

Community Groups Councils State Government Authorities Environment Portfolio Waste Industry Waste Producers Resource Recovery Industry

Project Control group Councils Adjacent WRRGs Waste Producers Waste Industry Waste Technology Providers Resource Recovery Industry

Environment Portfolio Councils Forum Waste Industry Recovery Industry Resource Recovery Industry

GCWWRRG Board Councils State Government Waste and Resource Recovery Industry



As well as consulting Councils, industry and the community, Section 50BC of the EP Act identifies the persons that a WRRG must consult prior to submitting the plan to Sustainability Victoria and EPA:

These include the:

Secretary of DELWP

Chairperson of EPA

Chairperson of SV

Chairperson of each WRRG

Chairperson of Places Victoria

CEO of each Council in the region.

As per Guideline requirements, an outline of the collaboration process and outcomes achieved to be annexed. This could reference collaboration during the development phase, such as participation in the Statewide Regional Implementation Plan working group and workshops, sharing data, collaborative work with other groups, engagement with SV and the EPA and should outline the process during the formal integration period.

The EP Act requires the WRRGs and SV to work together to integrate the priorities and directions of the Regional Implementation Plans and the State Infrastructure Plan and to resolve any differences in the plans. In addition, it is a requirement of this guideline that each WRRG must:

work collaboratively with their adjacent groups to ensure that, to the extent practicable, their respective regional implementation plans are consistent, and document in an annexure to the regional implementation plans, an outline of the collaboration process and outcomes achieved.


APPENDIX NINE – GLOSSARY

TERM EXPLANATION

Airspace The remaining capacity of a landfill.

Aerobic Composting The controlled biological decomposition of organic materials under aerobic (in the presence of oxygen) conditions, accomplished in open or enclosed windrows or piles.

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Biological breakdown by microorganisms of organic matter, in the absence of oxygen, into biogas (a mixture of carbon dioxide and methane) and digestate (a nutrient-rich residue).

Avoidance The first step in the waste hierarchy. Indicates practices whereby waste generation is circumvented.

Beneficiation An optical sorting process used to separate different colours of container glass to produce cullet for reprocessing and mixed fines.

Biogas or Syngas A gas generated by breaking down organic matter in the absence of oxygen, such as occurs in landfills. Biogas is typically comprised of 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide, and can be used as an energy source.

Biomass Biological material that is not fossilised, including forest and mill residues, agricultural crops and waste, wood and wood waste, animal waste, livestock operation residues, aquatic plants, fast growing trees and plants.

Biosolids

Biosolids are considered to be organic solids derived from sewage treatment processes that are in a state that they can be managed to sustainably utilise their nutrient, soil conditioning, energy, or other value (achieve minimum EPA standards for classification as T3 and C2 biosolids). The solids that do not meet these criteria are defined as sewage sludge.

Buffer zone

Buffer zones, or separation distances, aim to minimise the off-site impacts of sensitive land uses arising from unintended, industry generated odour and dust emissions. A buffer zone is an area of land outside the operating area of a facility that is set aside to maintain an adequate distance between the facility and sensitive land uses (such as residential development) so those uses are not adversely affected by noise, odour or dust. The land may or may not be owned by the facility owner.

Category C contaminated soil Refer to Prescribed waste and prescribed industrial waste (PIW)

Collection system System for collecting materials from the kerbside, including bin type and collection frequency.

Comingled recyclables

Materials combined generally for the purposes of collection, mainly through municipal collection services. Includes plastic bottles, other plastics, paper, glass and metal containers. Commingled recyclable materials require sorting after collection before they can be recycled. Can also be called commingled materials.

Commercial & Industrial (C&I) waste

Solid inert waste generated from trade, commercial and industrial activities including the government sector. It includes waste from offices, manufacturing, factories, schools, universities, state and government operations and small to medium enterprises e.g. food waste.

Composting The process whereby organic materials are microbiologically transformed under controlled aerobic conditions to create a pasteurised and stabilised organic product for application to land.

Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste

Solid inert waste generated from residential and commercial construction and demolition activities e.g. bricks and concrete.

Clean fill Material that has no harmful effects on the environment. This material is a natural soil material and does not contain any chemicals or other materials such as concrete rubble. Also called fill material

Closed landfill Landfill that is no longer accepting waste. If a licenced landfill, it should have received a post closure pollution abatement notice (PAN) from the EPA. If exempt from licencing, there should be reassurance that the closure process has commenced or is in place.

Cullet Sorted glass feedstock resulting from the beneficiation process of mixed container glass. Generally, consists of sorted streams of amber, flint and green glass of particle size greater that 5-10 mm depending on the capacity of the beneficiation plant.

Current capacity of infrastructure Estimate of the installed capacity of an existing facility or infrastructure type.

Daily cover The layer of compressed soil or earth which is laid on top of a day’s deposition of waste on an operational landfill site. The cover helps prevent interaction between waste and air, reducing odours and creating a firm base for vehicles to work on.

Delamination The process of splitting a composite material into its component parts e.g. Laminated glass.

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP)

A Victorian government department providing policy planning, preparation of legislative amendments, leadership coordination and oversight of the environment portfolio.



TERM EXPLANATION

Digestate A nutrient-rich residue remaining after the anaerobic digestion of a biodegradable feedstock.

Drop-off centre/ site A facility where households can drop-off selected materials and household items for recycling and reuse. Also called drop-off facilities.

E-waste E-waste comprises of electronic equipment with a plug or battery that requires a current to operate and that has reached end of life. It includes televisions, computers, monitors and whitegoods such as fridges and washing machines.

Energy from Waste

The terms ‘energy recovery from waste’, ‘waste to energy’ or ‘energy from waste’ can be used interchangeably to describe a number of treatment processes and technologies used to generate a usable form of energy from waste materials. Examples of usable forms of energy include electricity, heat and transport fuels.

Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA)

Established under the auspices of the Environment Protection Act 1970, EPA’s role is to be an effective environmental regulator and an influential authority on environmental impacts.

Existing operating landfill Landfills currently accepting waste for disposal or have recently ceased to accept waste but are yet to receive a post closure PAN from the EPA.

Feedstock Raw material used to manufacture products. Material varies depending on what is being produced.

Fill material See Clean fill.

Fines (Glass) Unsorted sub 5-10 mm glass material left over from the glass beneficiation process. It can contain contamination including plastics and small pieces of metals. These fines can be further processed to produce a glass sand product which has a number of potential uses.

Food organics Food waste from households or industry, including food processing waste, out-of-date or off-specification food, meat, fruit and vegetable scraps. Excludes liquid wastes.

Garden organics Organics derived from garden sources e.g. grass clippings, tree pruning’s. Also known as green organics.

Gasification Thermal technology that converts material into combustible gases by partial oxidation under the application of heat, leaving an inert residue.

Generation tonnages The sum of the state landfill tonnes and state tonnes reprocessed using VRIAS data. Because this modelling uses landfill data, generation tonnages differ from those in previous drafts of the State infrastructure plan due to no allowance being made for daily cover.

Green organics See Garden organics.

Greenhouse gases Gases, including carbon dioxide and methane that trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere, affecting weather and climate patterns.

Hard waste The term applied to household garbage that is not usually accepted into kerbside garbage bins by councils’ e.g. old fridges and mattresses.

Hazardous waste See Prescribed waste and prescribed industrial waste (PIW).

Hubs The concentration of reprocessing facilities where there is sufficient waste derived feedstock to support viable reprocessing options. The location of hubs will vary for individual material streams.

Illegal dumping Illegal dumping is the deliberate and unauthorised dumping, tipping or burying of waste on land that is not licensed or fit to accept that waste.

Incinerator For the purpose of this document, a site that facilitates the disposal of waste streams through incineration without producing another useful end product or capturing value from the waste material.

Inert waste Inert waste is neither chemically nor biologically reactive and will not decompose. Includes glass, sand and concrete.

In-vessel composting

Composting technology involving the use of a fully enclosed chamber or vessel in which the composting process is controlled by regulating the rate of mechanical aeration. Aeration assists in heat removal, temperature control and oxygenation of the mass. Aeration is provided to the chamber by a blower fan which can work in a positive (blowing) and/or negative (sucking) mode. Rate of aeration can be controlled with temperature, oxygen or carbon dioxide feedback signals.

Kerbside waste/collection Waste collected by local councils from residential properties, including garbage, commingled recyclables and garden organics, but excluding hard waste.

Landfill Discharge or deposit of solid wastes onto land that cannot be practically removed from the waste stream.

Landfill BPEM: Best practice environmental management

Facility management in line with EPA publication in Best Practice Environmental Management – siting, design, operation and rehabilitation of landfills.

Landfill capping

An impermeable geo-membrane and/or clay materials with, possibly a further layer of soil placed over the capping. Capping allows greenhouse gases to be captured and creates a ‘dry tomb’, protecting groundwater. (Once a landfill cell is filled, the waste matter must be covered with landfill capping).


TERM EXPLANATION

Landfill Levy

A levy applied at differential rates to municipal, C&I and prescribed wastes disposed of at licensed landfills in Victoria. Landfill levies are used solely for the purposes of environment protection and fostering environmentally sustainable use of resources and best practice in waste management. They fund the activities of WRRGs, SV and EPA, helping to establish waste management infrastructure, industry waste reduction programs, education programs, regulatory controls and enforcement regimes. Levies also provide an incentive to minimise the generation of waste, sending a signal to industry that the government supports efforts to develop alternatives to disposal to landfill.

Landfill likely closure dates

An estimate of the likely year of closure of the landfill based on consideration of modelled tonnage projections and land available under current EPA works approval, planning and permit requirements and potential void space that may eventuate at a quarry-based landfill site as identified by owners and operators.

Landfill tonnages

Tonnes landfill derived from landfill levy data supplied by EPA. Do not include prescribed industrial waste (PIW). There has been no allowance for daily cover which must be considered when comparing figures with those earlier drafts of the Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan (state infrastructure plan). Previously landfill figures were adjusted to remove a 15% allowance for daily cover.

Leachate Contaminated water that has percolated through or drained from a landfill.

Litter Any small, medium or large item placed inappropriately.

Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

A centre for the receipt, sorting and transfer of materials recovered from the waste stream. At a MRF, materials are also sorted by type and treatment, which may include cleaning and compression.

Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) plant

MBT plants combine mechanical sorting (such as in a MRF) with biological treatment of organic waste to process residual organic waste. This could include technology such as anaerobic digestion to stabilise the material and generate heat and power. Material remaining after further treatment (often referred to as ‘digestate’) can be added to compost or used as fuel in a thermal waste-to-energy facility.

Merchant facilities Are emerging as an attractive way forward where the private sector establishes a waste facility with a variety of waste supply agreements, and therefore accepts waste supply risks.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Solid waste generated from municipal and residential activities, and including waste collected by, or on behalf of, a municipal council. In this document, MSW does not refer to waste delivered to municipal disposal sites by commercial operators or waste from municipal demolition projects.

Open windrow composting operation

A type of outdoor composting process where organic materials are piled in to windrows and are turned for aeration.

Optical sorting Technologies used to sort glass by colour type, and plastics by polymer type.

Organic material Plant or animal matter originating from domestic or industrial sources e.g. grass clippings, tree prunings and food waste.

Pollution Abatement Notice (PAN)

Pollution abatement notices are issued under section 31A of the Environment Protection Act 1970 (EP Act). They aim to prevent further occurrence of pollution or the potential environmental risk through installation of risk controls and changes to on-site processes and practices.

Prescribed Waste / Prescribed Industrial Waste (PIW)

These wastes are defined in the Environment Protection (Industrial Waste Resource) Regulations 2009. EPA closely regulates these wastes because of their potential adverse impacts on human health and the environment. Prescribed wastes carry special handling, storage, transport and often licensing requirements, and attract substantially higher disposal levies than non-prescribed solid wastes. Also known as hazardous waste.

Private (Own Waste) Landfills Landfills private owned by an entity that generate and deposit waste exclusively from a single source (arising from their own onsite activities)

Process Derived Fuels (PDF)

Also called Process Engineered Fuel (PEF) or Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) is a fuel produced after basic processing in a MRF or MBT to increase the calorific value and remove recyclable materials and contaminants of municipal solid waste, commercial and industrial waste, and construction and demolition waste.

Processing facilities Facilities which either receive materials directly from collection systems or from recovery facilities for further sorting and/ or processing to provide material for use in the generation of new products.

Product stewardship A concept of shared responsibility by all sectors involved in the manufacture, distribution, use and disposal of products, which seeks to ensure value is recovered from products at the end of life.

Public Place Recycling (PPR) Recycling facilities found in public areas, such as parks, reserves, transport hubs, shopping centres and sport and entertainment venues that allow the community to recycle when away from home.

Putrescible Waste Waste that readily decomposes, including food waste and organic waste from gardens.

Pyrolysis Thermal breakdown of waste in the absence of air, to produce char, pyrolysis oil and syngas e.g. the conversion of wood into charcoal.



TERM EXPLANATION

Recovered tonnages Unless stated otherwise, tonnes of materials entering reprocessing facilities. No direct correlation to how much was reprocessed as there is no data on tonnes stockpiled by reprocessors or tonnes landfilled by reprocessors. Therefore, referred to as “recovered” rather than “reprocessed”.

Recovery In the context of the waste hierarchy, recovery means energy recovery, typically via a waste to energy facility.

Recovery Rate(s) Used generally to describe material recovery, that is recycling, and energy recovery.

Recyclable Materials Waste collected separately and sent for recycling. For the purposes of this implementation plan incorporates container glass, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, paper, cardboard and garden organics.

Recyclables While this term strictly applies to all materials that may be recycled, in this document the term is generally used to refer to the recyclable containers and paper / cardboard component of kerbside waste e.g. it excludes garden organics.

Recyclate Raw materials that can be recyclable that is sent to, processed in a waste recycling facility.

Recycling A term that may be used to cover a wide range of activities, including collection, sorting, reprocessing and manufacture into new products.

Refuse Derived Fuels (RDF) Refer to Process Derived Fuels.

Reprocessing Changing the physical structure and properties of a waste material that would otherwise have been sent to landfill to add financial value to the processed material. Without reprocessing, the beneficial use of waste materials would be lost.

Reprocessing facilities See Reprocessor.

Reprocessor(s) Facility that changes the physical structure and properties of a waste material that would otherwise be sent to landfill to add financial value to the processed material. Without reprocessing the beneficial use of the material would be lost.

Resale centre/ shop A centre/ shop that enables the sale and subsequent re-use of good quality, saleable products and materials that were disposed of by their previous owner.

Residual waste

Residual material that remains after any source separation or reprocessing activities of recyclable materials or garden organics. Waste that is left over after suitable materials have been recovered for reuse and recycling. This generally means the environmental or economic costs of further separating and cleaning the waste are greater than any potential benefit of doing so.

Resource Recovery The process of obtaining matter or energy from discarded materials. Occurs at resource recovery centres.

Resource Recovery Centre Facilities established to receive and/ or recover re-usable and recyclable materials that would otherwise be destined for disposal. Can be combined with a transfer station and may include resale centres.

Re-use Recovering value from a discarded resource without processing or remanufacture e.g. garments sold though opportunity shops are, strictly speaking, a form of re-use, rather than recycling.

Rounding of data As a general rule, all of the data is rounded to the nearest thousand. This may result in minor discrepancies between totals and line items. Graphs, charts and modelling were generated using non-rounded data. Any exceptions are referenced.

Sectors, industry sectors Groupings of industries used to generalise patterns in waste generation and disposal e.g. construction and demolition, food services including food retail and food manufacturing, small to medium enterprises.

Separation distance

Area set aside to maintain an adequate distance between the facility and sensitive land uses such as residential development, so those uses are not adversely affected by noise, odour or dust. The land may or may not be owned by the facility owner. Residences and businesses in a rural or industrial zone are not classified as sensitive land uses.

Shredder floc Residue directly arising from large scale shredding operations to recover metals. Shredded material includes, but is not limited to, end of life vehicles, white goods, machineries, drums and corrugated material.

Social licence to operate

The concept of a ‘social licence to operate’ has evolved from broader concepts of ‘corporate social responsibility’ and is based on the idea that a business not only needs appropriate government or regulatory approval but also a ‘social licence’. The social licence is the acceptance that is continually granted to industry and facility operators by the local community or other stakeholders to operate.

Solid Industrial Waste (SIW)

Solid waste generated from commercial, industrial or trade activities, including waste from factories, offices, schools, universities, state and federal government operations and commercial construction and demolition work. Excludes MSW, wastes that are prescribed under the Environment Protection Act 1970 and quarantine wastes.

Solid waste Non-hazardous, non-prescribed, solid waste materials, ranging from municipal garbage to industrial waste.


TERM EXPLANATION

Source Separation The practice of segregating materials into discrete material streams prior to collection by, or delivery to, processing facilities.

Spokes

The sequence of activities that move materials from waste generators to (and from) hubs e.g. collection, transport and sorting. The length of the spoke and hence the location of the hub for a particular material stream is influenced by the impact of transport on the margin of return for that particular material stream.

Stockpiling Storage of materials.

Sustainability Victoria (SV)

Statutory authority established in October 2005 under the Sustainability Victoria Act 2005 with the key objective of ‘facilitating and promoting environmental sustainability in the use of resources’. SV works across the areas of energy, waste and water with communities, industries and government applying the best ideas and encouraging action to enable change in environmental practices.

Transfer Station A facility allowing the drop-off and consolidation of garbage and a wide range of recyclable materials. Can be combined with a resource recovery centre and may include resale centres. Do not undertake processing activities.

Waste Any discarded, rejected, unwanted, surplus or abandoned matter, including where intended for recycling, reprocessing, recovery, purification or sale.

Anything that is no longer valued by its owner for use or sale and which is, or will be, discarded. In this document, the term ‘solid waste’ refers to non-hazardous, non-prescribed, solid waste materials ranging from municipal garbage to industrial waste.

Waste generation The sum of products and materials that are recycled, recovered for energy or disposed to landfill.

Waste hierarchy A concept promoting waste avoidance ahead of recycling and disposal. Recognised as promoting management of waste in the order of preference: avoidance, reduce, reuse recycle and disposal.

Waste and Resource Recovery Group (WRRG)

Statutory authorities established under the Environment Protection Act 1970 responsible for preparing the Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan for their region.

Waste and Resource Recovery Planning Framework

The planning framework as defined in the amendments to the Environment Protection Act 1970 and including: The Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan (State Infrastructure Plan) The seven Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans (Regional

Implementation Plans) Relevant Ministerial Guidelines made under section 50CA of the Act The process for integration of the State Infrastructure Plan and Regional Implementation Plans.

Waste management industry Applies to those involved in managing waste e.g. collectors, sorters, processors and landfill operators.

Waste minimisation The concept of, and strategies for, waste generation to be kept to a minimum level in order to reduce the requirement for waste collection, handling and disposal to landfill. Also referred to as waste avoidance.

Waste to Energy Refer to Energy from Waste.


ARARAT RURAL CITY COUNCIL

What waste and resource recovery topics and challenges are important to Ararat?

The level of service to the customer and community is important

The cost of service to the customer and broader community is critical and cost effective solutions to waste and resource recovery problems must be developed

Data collection needs to be continually improved to provide evidence towards cost effective solutions

Ensure solutions are not industry driven but consider social, environmental and financial impact / benefit to Council

How does the City deal with organic garden waste in the future?

What are the key existing facilities in this municipality?

Ararat Resource Recovery Centre

Seven rural Resource Recovery Centres and Landfill (Hard Waste only)

What facilities are expected to change within the next ten years in this municipality?

May include new or expanded facilities or facilities to be closed

Upgrade Ararat Resource Recovery Centre (Transfer Station) facility to accommodate further materials for resource recovery

Anticipated closure of the landfill (hard waste) component over the forthcoming years at the seven rural Resource Recovery Centres

Investigate the consolidation and rationalisation of some of the rural Resource Recovery Centres and examine the feasibility of a new Resource Recovery Centre (potentially with a neighbouring municipality)

What are the key Regional Implementation Plan Priority Actions for this Council?


4. Work with Councils and Industry to upgrade (and rationalise) infrastructure, improve operations and engage communities

5. Work with Councils or Industry and the EPA to progress any rehabilitation assessments and requirements for closed landfills

9. Continue to work with relevant agencies, Councils and Industry on waste and resource recovery education and engagement

This information has been collated by Grampians Central West WRRG. It in no way

reflects any policy, intent or proposal of the Ararat Rural City Council or Staff.



CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS SHIRE COUNCIL

What waste and resource recovery topics and challenges are important to Central Goldfields?

Management of garden waste and its continual refinement to produce smaller shredded material to compost better and reduce contamination


Future development of industrial zoned land at Flagstaff with resource recovery infrastructure (Energy from Waste) and its support of the economy and employment

Continuing maintenance and monitoring of rehabilitated closed Carisbrook Landfill


Carisbrook Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre

Four rural Resource Recovery Centres



Development of a proposed energy from waste facility

Continual improvement of Council’s four Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centres including the Carisbrook in-vessel composting facility


3. Work with all levels of government and their agencies, Industry and Investors to explore innovative and technological advancements that could inform future infrastructure development and investment





reflects any policy, intent or proposal of the Central Goldfields Shire Council or Staff.


CITY OF BALLARAT

What waste and resource recovery topics and challenges are important to Ballarat?

New Garden waste collection service, implementation, interchange facility and resource re-use

Progressing resource recovery industries and technologies as part of the Ballarat West Employment Zone precinct and liaison with surrounding municipalities in consideration of this

Planning and development of a new Transfer Station in the Ballarat West Employment Zone and the transition from the existing Gillies Street South facility

Management and operations of the of the Smythesdale Landfill located within the Golden Plains Shire Council

Ongoing monitoring of closed landfills

Stockpile management at private reprocessors


Ballarat Transfer Station

A number or private reprocessors that provide the region with materials resource recovery



Relocation of existing Ballarat Transfer Station and redevelopment within the Ballarat West Employment Zone.

Feasibility and investigations towards and energy from waste facility within the Ballarat West Employment Zone

Continual improvement of private reprocessing facilities


1. Assess and, where viable, support the development of solutions and systems to increase the recovery of priority materials and from mixed loads of waste

3. Work with all levels of government and their agencies, Industry and Investors to explore innovative and technological advancements that could inform future infrastructure development and investment




reflects any policy, intent or proposal of the City of Ballarat or Staff.




What waste and resource recovery topics and challenges are important to Golden Plains?

The level and cost of service to the customer and broader community is critical and cost effective solutions to waste and resource recovery problems must be developed

Rokewood Transfer Station development, improvement and promotion

Illegal dumping

Smythesdale Landfill Management by the City of Ballarat


Geelong Resource Recovery Facility (Stonehaven) Planning permit and outcome


Smythesdale Landfill – owned and operated by the City of Ballarat

Rokewood Transfer Station

Western Gypsum



Future cell development at Smythesdale Landfill and subsequent capping, monitoring, leachate management, etc.

Enhancement of the Rokewood Transfer Station




7. Contribute to the development and application of a reliable regional data system to inform waste and resource recovery decisions



reflects any policy, intent or proposal of the Golden Plains Shire Council or Staff.


HEPBURN SHIRE COUNCIL

What waste and resource recovery topics and challenges are important to Hepburn?

New innovations and micro solutions to local waste and resource recovery matters which also support economic development and employment opportunities

Continual improvement on Transfer Station and Resale Centres including promotion of Hepburn Hot Trash Facebook page


Continue to increase diversion and resource recovery of materials

Illegal dumping


Three Council Transfer Stations and Resale Centres

Daylesford MRF

Davo’s Worm Farm



Continuous improvement of Transfer Stations and Resale Centres







reflects any policy, intent or proposal of the Hepburn Shire Council or Staff.



HINDMARSH SHIRE COUNCIL

What waste and resource recovery topics and challenges are important to Hindmarsh?

Solutions for resource recovery in rural and remote communities as those involving transportation and lower volumes may not be viable


Continual increases in the cost of waste management and resource recovery

Management and resource recovery of concrete, garden waste, tyres, scrap metal and hard plastics

Distances between rural townships and their transfer stations

Solutions to better recover resources and materials from agricultural waste


Four rural Transfer Stations and three drop-off facilities



Continuous improvement of Transfer Stations and Drop Off facilities







reflects any policy, intent or proposal of the Hindmarsh Shire Council or Staff.



What waste and resource recovery topics and challenges are important to Horsham?

For landfill development to be considerate of site specific hydro/geological circumstances and be based on a risk basis rather than generic design and construction methodologies

Difficulty in creating and viably maintaining local markets, with social enterprise, for resource recovery as evidenced by MRF closure due to market driving options towards larger contractors and inability for smaller businesses to compete

Collaborative procurement and waste related partnerships to ensure the cost of waste and resource recovery is minimised and no detrimental cost implications to the residents and broader community

The need for the Council and the industry to be flexible and adaptable towards resource recovery

Increased waste diversion and resource recovery solutions that are cost effective for the community

For the Council, in partnership with the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group, to be a strong conduit back to the State Government providing a strong message of the challenges faced in regional and rural Victoria and the vast distances and associated cost involved in transportation of materials


Dooen Landfill and Horsham Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre

A number of private reprocessors including Axis Worx



Continual improvement to Horsham Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre






This information has been collated by Grampians Central West WRRG. It in no way reflects any

policy, intent or proposal of the Horsham Rural City Council or Staff.




What waste and resource recovery topics and challenges are important to Moorabool?

Future disposal of materials within the municipality with new or expanding facilities

Impact of C&I and C&D waste at existing facilities

Road infrastructure around waste and resource recovery facilities

Problem materials streams such as tyres and mattresses

Illegal Dumping


Maddingley Brown Coal and Calleja Organics

Three Council Transfer Stations



Expansion of organics processing and C&D waste processing at Calleja as well as cell capping and development at Maddingley Brown Coal

Development of Pinegro Composting facility at Mt Wallace

Continual improvement of Council Transfer Stations







reflects any policy, intent or proposal of the Moorabool Shire Council or Staff.


NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE COUNCIL

What waste and resource recovery topics and challenges are important to Northern Grampians?

Consolidation of Resource Recovery Centres / Transfer Stations to ensure a viable, cost effective, centralised facility

Low volumes of garden waste and difficult to process due to contamination and pathogens

Looking for regional solutions to local issues such as joint procurement

Closure of St Arnaud Landfill by 2017 and its rehabilitation

Long term establishment of a landfill in the reutilisation of the Stawell Goldmine

Tyre stockpile reduction and resource recovery operations



Stawell Transfer Station, St Arnaud Transfer Station and Landfill and one rural Transfer Station



Investigate the consolidation and rationalisation of some of the rural Resource Recovery Centres and examine the feasibility of a new Resource Recovery Centre (potentially with a neighbouring municipality)

Urban Tyre Recycling Corporation – Tyre shredding and pyrolysis







reflects any policy, intent or proposal of the Northern Grampians Shire Council or Staff.



PYRENEES SHIRE COUNCIL

What waste and resource recovery topics and challenges are important to Pyrenees?

The cost of service balanced by the level of service to the customer and broader community is critical and cost effective solutions to waste and resource recovery problems must be developed

Data collection needs to be continually improved to provide evidenced towards cost effective solutions

Continual improvement is required for Council’s Transfer Stations especially the connection of essential services

Problem material streams including E-waste, tyres and scrap metal

Community education of waste and resource recovery including what can and cannot be recycled

Economic development and employment opportunities through use of industrial land and / or collaborative advances


Four Transfer Stations

Beaufort Hospital Bioenergy Plant



Continual upgrade to Council Transfer Stations

Potential replication or similar bioenergy plant at specific suitable locations

Investigate the partnership of a combined Resource Recovery Centre (potentially with neighbouring municipalities) with specialised services such as organics garden waste receival







reflects any policy, intent or proposal of the Pyrenees Shire Council or Staff.


WEST WIMMERA SHIRE COUNCIL

What waste and resource recovery topics and challenges are important to West Wimmera?


Solutions for resource recovery in rural and remote communities as those involving transportation and lower volumes may not be viable. Investigate social enterprises supporting waste and resource recovery and examine use of agricultural materials to produce local solutions.

Improved community education on waste and resource recovery

Problem material streams such as garden waste, tyres, farm waste and concrete

Data collection needs to be continually improved supported by feasibility studies to provide evidence towards cost effective solutions

Illegal Dumping


Seven rural Transfer Stations



Continuous improvement of Kaniva and Edenhope Transfer Stations







reflects any policy, intent or proposal of the West Wimmera Shire Council or Staff.



YARRIAMBIACK SHIRE COUNCIL

What waste and resource recovery topics and challenges are important to Yarriambiack?

The future of operational landfills exempt from licencing


Solutions for resource recovery in rural and remote communities as those involving transportation and lower volumes may not be viable. Investigate social enterprises supporting waste and resource recovery and examine use of agricultural materials to produce local solutions.

Looking for regional solutions to local issues such as joint procurement

Distances between rural townships and their transfer stations

Illegal Dumping


Six Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centres

Four Landfills and Resource Recovery Centres



Continuous improvement of Kaniva and Edenhope Transfer Stations

Investigation into the future operations of landfills exempt from licensing and potential closure or variation in activities on site







reflects any policy, intent or proposal of the Yarriambiack Shire Council or Staff.


NOTES



NOTES


NOTES

Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group

P.O. Box 1067 Bakery Hill, Victoria 3354

P: 0409 093 382

For more information or to provide feedback please visit

gcwwrrg.vic.gov.au