On Tuesday March 3rd, 2020 Eurobodalla Council announced it had struck a deal with the NSW government to get bushfire demolition waste off residents’ land saying the agreement meant waste contractors could SOON begin to dump fire affected waste at the shire’s tips, which will be managed and operated by NSW Government contractors for the duration of the clean-up.
A Council spokesperson advised the Beagle today that the situation remains as described in the 3rd March media release that states "waste contractors can soon dump fire affected waste at the shire’s three tips, which will be managed and operated by NSW Government contractors for the duration of the clean-up."
Council also advised on March 3rd that the approval for a three-metre high overtop at Surf Beach tip will create an additional 100,000 cubic metres of landfill, or the equivalent of four years’ capacity under normal circumstances and that potential existed for some asbestos demolition waste to be accepted in the second landfill at Surf Beach if required, and only once the fire-damaged cell has been repaired.
The arrangements would also see Brou landfill used for disposal of Eurobodalla’s asbestos contaminated clean-up waste. Air monitoring, vehicle wash down facilities and specialist staff, plant and equipment will be part of the deal.
Council’s Director of Planning Lindsay Usher said the arrangement would allow the bushfire clean up to take place efficiently while making sure the community’s regular waste management needs can be met in the coming years.
“The sheer volume of bushfire demolition waste would deprive Eurobodalla of long-term waste-management capacity. We expect to receive seven years’ worth of waste in four months,” he said at the time.
“The extra capacity the NSW Government has made available at Surf Beach addresses this for now, however, volumes will be monitored closely and if the amount of waste looks like exceeding agreed site capacities, the deal allows excess to be taken to approved sites outside the shire.”
Eurobodalla’s third waste management facility, a smaller waster transfer station at Moruya, remains closed due to fire damage. Green waste and scrap metal will be recycled there once it reopens within the next few weeks. Council staff will continue to manage Surf Beach landfill for non-bushfire waste and assist contractors at Brou and Moruya.
Laing O'Rourke, project fire site clearing contractors, say they will engage qualified local contractors and local suppliers where possible to carry out make safe and clean up works to maximise local knowledge and expertise, and assist the economic recovery of the communities.
Through the duration of these works, Laing O’Rourke advise they will be undertaking a number of information sessions with the local supply chain and communities to continue to provide updates about the program.
If your business is interested in participating in the program, please register here: https://gateway.icn.org.au/project/4510/nsw-bushfire-clean-up-program
Laing O’Rourke will be in contact with all businesses that register (or have already registered via Public Works Advisory or Procurement NSW) with information on next steps.
