Seven Perth councils could be forced to reassess where they send their waste sooner than expected after environmental regulators rejected two works applications at a tip in Perth’s northern suburbs.
Mindarie Regional Council, which operates the Tamala Park Waste Management Facility, says the decision has created “a great deal of uncertainty” over what happens next with the facility’s landfill operations.
The regional council had been seeking approval for a new southern piggyback landfill cell and leachate management area, which it believes are important to responsibly manage the site towards its planned closure.
An MRC spokesperson said the council was “disappointed” by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s decision and would take some time to consider its implications.
“The piggyback liner would have allowed MRC to bring the landfill up to the final profile for closure, including by putting in a liner for the final incomplete — and currently unlined — area of the landfill,” the MRC said in a statement.
“The leachate management area would have allowed MRC to manage the amount of liquid within the landfill through evaporation, which is the industry standard method by which leachate volumes are controlled in WA.
“Consequently, DWER’s decision (to reject both applications) creates a great deal of uncertainty.”
DWER said the decision would not leave councils without somewhere to send their waste, with existing landfill capacity available elsewhere if required.
“There is existing landfill capacity that can be accessed by local governments currently utilising Tamala Park, including the Red Hill Waste Management Facility, as well as other waste disposal options planned for the Perth and Peel area,” the spokesperson said.
DWER’s decision was welcomed by Joondalup mayor Daniel Kingston. The city recently voted to advocate for the landfill to close at the earliest practical opportunity due to ongoing concerns about odour impacts on neighbouring residents.
“The city did not support the application as the liner works would have increased the operational life of the landfill,” Mr Kingston said.
Camera IconThe Mindarie Regional Council has had two works applications rejected by regulators while also being issued with a new environmental notice. Credit: Mogens Johansen/WA News
“Protecting the health, well-being and amenity of our residents has remained the city’s highest priority throughout this process, and we welcome a decision that appropriately responds to the concerns raised by the city and our community.
“This decision represents an important step towards improving environmental outcomes, reducing impacts on nearby communities and supporting a pathway towards the earliest practical closure of the Tamala Park landfill.
“The city continues to advocate for the landfill’s closure at the earliest practical opportunity, alongside appropriate environmental management measures to support the site’s closure and long-term rehabilitation.”
Alongside the rejection of the two applications, the MRC has been slapped with a new environmental protection notice requiring further action to address leachate, landfill gas and other environmental risks at the landfill site.
The notice was issued in response to ongoing concerns about odour and the potential impact of leachate on groundwater.
As part of the new requirements in the notice, the MRC must develop plans to measure and remove leachate, as well as update its plans for capping and closing the landfill.
Camera IconJoondalup mayor Daniel Kingston has welcomed the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s decision to reject two MRC landfill applications. Credit: Carwyn Monck/The West Australian
It must also improve its landfill gas extraction system and undertake further work on surface water management and landfill stability.
“Our decision was made following careful consideration of all available evidence and is intended to mitigate environmental impacts while working towards the site’s planned closure,” a DWER spokesperson said.
Planning for Tamala Park landfill’s eventual closure has been under way for several years.
The MRC had been working with its seven member councils to potentially send residual municipal waste to Kwinana’s waste-to-energy facility.
However, the cities of Wanneroo and Joondalup recently withdrew their support for the proposal, throwing its future into doubt.