Nambour waste facility expansion to provide for population growth

Plans to expand the Nambour Landfill have been given the tick of approval to help Sunshine Coast Council strategically and sustainably manage the waste generated by our growing population.

The proposal endorsed by councillors at today’s Ordinary Meeting includes a generation plant that will convert methane gas produced by the landfill into electricity to supply the local power grid.

The extension of the Nambour landfill will secure the region’s waste disposal needs by at least 22 years.

There is also scope for future uses to include a resource recovery centre, an environmental education facility, recycled goods shop and other associated uses related to council’s waste management strategy.

Planning Portfolio Councillor Christian Dickson said the approval showed that council was prepared to make the necessary decisions today to ensure our future waste management needs will be met.

“As outlined in the SEQ Regional Plan, the State Government has estimated that the Sunshine Coast will be home to493,000 residents by 2041,” Cr Dickson said.

“Our council is undertaking extensive planning to accommodate for the increase in population.

“Council’s waste strategy clearly identifies that the Nambour site is a key piece of infrastructure to cater for waste demands as our region continues to grow.

“The expansion addresses the need to manage waste in the most cost-effective and sustainable way, which supports our vision on delivering Australia’s leading healthy, smart and creative region – for today and for generations to come.”

Division 9 Councillor Steve Robinson said council valued the community feedback received during the material change of use application consultation period.

“A number of changes were made to the application in response to the submissions received, including placing conditions on the approval to address environmental and amenity concerns,” Cr Robinson said.

“The approved proposal will benefit the community by providing certainty for our region’s ability to sustainably manage waste into the future.

“As with all development applications, the landfill application was thoroughly assessed on its individual merits.

“To ensure transparency and integrity of the assessment process, this application was assessed by an independent third-party agency and the relevant state government agencies.”