Lucas Heights Community Brochure by SITA Australia

LUCAS HEIGHTS RESOURCE RECOVERY PARKOUR PLAN TO INVEST IN ESSENTIAL WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE

SITA Australia is the nation’s leader in the provision of sustainable waste and recycling solutions.

Our first preference is always to recycle the waste we receive. In NSW we divert more than 370,000 tonnes of waste from landfill each year.

Where waste is not recycled, we dispose of it in highly engineered landfills like the New Illawarra Road Landfill at the Lucas Heights Resource Recovery Park.

ABOUT SITA AUSTRALIA

KEY FEATURES OF THE PROPOSAL

Increase landfill capacity by 8.3 million cubic metres

Invest in and extend operations until 2037

Improve and relocate the garden organics facility

Invest in a $90 million resource recovery facility to divert up to 70% of waste

Deliver better environmental outcomes

Establish community parklands after closure

Provide $100 million for community facilities in the Sutherland Shire

• We plan to increase capacity at the New Illawarra Road Landfill by 8.3 million cubic metres1 and extend operations at the site until 2037. We will also upgrade the landfill gas capture system to reduce a source of odour and green-house gas emissions and generate renewable energy.

• We plan to relocate and expand our existing garden organics facility that recycles garden waste into a range of nutrient-rich compost products and diverts these valuable resources from landfill.

• The capacity of the garden organics facility will be increased from 55,000 to 80,000 tonnes per year and activities moved to the western side of the site further away from the closest residential areas. We are investing in additional infrastructure including covering active phases of the composting process for better odour management.

• We are seeking approval to build a fully enclosed $90 million state-of-the-art Advanced Resource Recovery Technology facility in the future.

This facility would process up to 200,000 tonnes of general solid waste per year and recover valuable resources that can be used to create compost or alternative fuels. The facility would divert up to 70% of waste from landfill.

• As part of the proposal, SITA has agreed to a Voluntary Planning Agreement with Sutherland Shire Council and has committed to ensuring the Lucas Heights Resource Recovery Park maintains its high environmental standards. SITA is committed to best practice environmental management. The Voluntary Planning Agreement also puts in place processes to mitigate the impacts of any issues if they arise.

INVESTING IN ESSENTIAL WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE

The Lucas Heights Resource Recovery Park will ultimately be returned to the community as parkland for everyone to enjoy in a similar way to the Ridge Golf Course and Sports Complex at Menai which were developed on the site of the old Lucas Heights landfill.

SITA will contribute $100 million over 15 years to Sutherland Shire Council which will be used by Council to fund a range of new projects and facility upgrades in the Sutherland Shire Community.

1. Equivalent to approximately 8.3 million tonnes of waste assuming 1 tonne of waste utilises 1 cubic metre of waste disposal airspace.

Artist impression of rehabilitated parklands

under the proposal.

BETTER ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES

• Since acquiring the site in 2011, we have reviewed the design of the landfill to ensure it will meet the current NSW EPA guidelines. The final slope of the landform needs to be re-profiled to enable more effective rainwater runoff.

• The increase in landfill capacity will help to achieve the best design for the final landform. The resulting landform will exceed EPA guidelines and lessen rainwater infiltration and consequently reduce leachate generation. In addition, the re-profiling of the landform will help to improve odour management.

• While the landfill will increase in height, all works will be undertaken within the current boundaries of the Lucas Heights Resource Recovery Park.

• We will continue to invest in and improve operations at the landfill with highly engineered cells that protect our environment.

We constantly strive to achieve the best possible environmental outcomes and we have introduced significant operational improvements since acquiring the site in 2011 including:

• Investment in new landfill gas extraction infrastructure

• Construction of new landfill cells to best practice standards using a double liner ‘barrier’ system

• Improvements to stormwater controls and odour management

• Installation of portable litter nets and screens around the active tipping face.

IMPROVING OPERATIONS

• Landfill gas captured at the site is currently used to produce enough renewable energy to power 20,000 households. We will upgrade the landfill gas capture system allowing us to generate even more energy to power the equivalent of an extra 5,700 homes.

• By investing in the landfill gas capture system, relocating the garden organics facility and covering the active phases of the composting process, potential odour will be reduced compared to current activities. An odour and air quality assessment is being prepared as part of the Environmental Impact Statement.

The parklands will be approximately 25 hectares larger in area than the currently approved parkland, providing more area for recreation and community use.

Artist impression of rehabilitated parklands under the proposal.

Through the SITA Community Grants Program, we also provide funding for social and environmental projects which help create a more sustainable future. In the inaugural round of the program, almost $100,000 in community grant funding was distributed to 21 community groups across Australia, including the Menai Wildflower Group, which received a $3,000 grant to maintain the gardens at the Illawong Rural Fire Brigade Headquarters.

• SITA has a long history of supporting the Sutherland Shire community. Parts of Lucas Heights Resource Recovery Park are currently being used by local community groups including the PCYC Mini Bike Club and the Sydney International Clay Target Association.

• As part of the proposal, SITA will contribute $100 million over 15 years to Sutherland Shire Council which will be used by Council to fund a range of new projects and facility upgrades in the Sutherland Shire.

• We will also continue to support a range of community initiatives and local sporting teams in the Sutherland Shire, including Menai Roosters Junior Rugby League, Bangor Football Club, Bangor Cricket Club, Barden Ridgebacks Football Club and Barden Ridgebacks Netball Club.

• We are a major sponsor of the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation based in Sutherland Shire and have contributed $150,000 to programs supporting school-aged children living in families affected by mental illness.

OUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY

Q&A

As with any new development, we understand there may be questions about the proposal. Answers to some of the common questions are below and you can find more information on our website.

Will there be increased odour from the facility?SITA has measures in place to prevent and mitigate odour from the facility and this will continue. As part of the proposal, SITA will also upgrade the landfill’s gas capture system to further reduce a source of odour. The garden organics operations will be moved to the western side of the site further away from residential areas, and the active phases of the composting process will be covered for better odour management. Through these investments, we believe potential odour will be reduced compared to current activities. The proposed Advanced Resource Recovery Technology facility would be fully enclosed to manage odour. An odour and air quality assessment is being prepared as part of the Environmental Impact Statement.

Will there be more litter around the facility?SITA has measures in place to reduce litter from the facility’s activities. Waste disposed of at the landfill is compacted and covered daily. In addition, portable litter nets and screens have been installed around the tipping face and additional portable litter fences are used during periods of high winds. We also conduct regular litter patrols of the site, the boundary and roads leading to the facility. Trucks transporting material to and from the premises are also covered and tailgates are securely fixed.

Will it cause traffic congestion?The Lucas Heights Resource Recovery Precinct accounts for only 1.3% of all vehicles on New Illawarra Road at the present time. As a result, the overall average increase in traffic compared to existing levels is expected to be low. SITA has recently invested in High Mass Load trailers (pictured above) to transport waste and help reduce the number of truck movements to the park. A traffic and transport assessment is being undertaken as part of the Environmental Impact Statement.

Will there be a significant visual impact?The proposal will have minimal impact on the visual amenity of the area. A full visual impact assessment is being prepared as part of the Environmental Impact Statement.

November 2014. Printed on 100% recycled paper.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE LUCAS HEIGHTS RESOURCE RECOVERY PARK PROPOSALCALL 1800 810 680 EMAIL [email protected] FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSALVISIT WWW.SITA.COM.AU/LUCASHEIGHTS

We are committed to actively engaging and listening to the community and our stakeholders throughout the planning process, including by offering guided tours of Lucas Heights Resource Recovery Park.

We encourage the community to have their say on this proposal during the public consultation period.

We will continue to seek input from the community through our Lucas Heights Community Reference Group, which is made up of local residents and business neighbours and meets regularly to discuss our operations.

We will also continue to help educate the local community about resource recovery, recycling and waste management practices.