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Whyalla is on track to have a state-of-the-art waste transfer system next year.
The station will be built following the City of Whyalla’s decision to award a ten-year contract to Veolia Environmental Services for waste management and disposal in Whyalla.
Veolia was awarded the waste management contract after an extensive tender process and has since won a $250,000 grant from the State Government through Green Industries SA (GISA) to assist in the construction of the new waste transfer station. Cleanaway has the contract to collect kerbside waste until 2021.
Veolia will transfer waste from the purpose-built $3.4m facility on Industry Drive, in the Whyalla Industrial Estate, to the Mount Laura Waste & Resource Recovery Centre initially and then longer term to Glenfield Waste Management Facility between Port Neill and Tumby Bay. The existing landfill site in Whyalla will then be remediated for public, or other, use.
The awarding of the contract for the city’s waste management to a private company follows moves by the Environment Protection Authority away from multiple landfill sites in regional areas. Glenfield waste management facility services the waste management needs of regional councils on Eyre Peninsula.
Council CEO Chris Cowley said the awarding of the waste management contract and the closing of the landfill site in Whyalla was a move forward for the city, the environment and a win for residents.
“There are many reasons why this is a good outcome for Whyalla,” Mr Cowley said.
“The environmental benefits are obvious for our region as we will be able to shut down the environmentally-unfriendly landfill site and replace it with a cleaner, easier-to-use waste transfer station.
“This transfer station will also be more convenient and closer for residents in the industrial estate and will involve better recycling practices for waste while the landfill site will be returned to usable space.
“The transfer station will be cleaner, generate less odour as waste will be trucked out regularly and easier to use than a landfill site.”
Mr Cowley said there would be no loss of employment for Council staff at the landfill site with these jobs to be absorbed into other council roles. Council will also be encouraging Veolia to take on as many of the existing private contracted staff from the Mt Laura centre at the new facility.
Mark Taylor, Group General Manager - Veolia South Australia, said "Veolia welcomes the opportunity to once again partner with Whyalla Council to perform waste management services for its residents.
“Having a long history with the Council, we also look forward to delivering a new waste transfer station, which will provide a greater level of environmental compliance and sustainability to the region.
“Together, with the $250,000 grant awarded to Veolia to complete these works, we aim to ensure that waste management costs for the council and its residents are managed effectively, and moreover, that we deliver a greater level of customer service and operational excellence.
“We are excited to once again partner with the great city of Whyalla and help the region achieve its sustainability goals."
Council will be working with Veolia to maintain where possible the existing cost structure for waste disposal. Approximately 60 per cent of waste disposal costs consist of an EPA levy imposed by the State Government.