Ipswich residents are being asked what factors council should consider, including potential location, in delivering a new resource recovery centre in the city’s Western region.
The current Rosewood Recycling and Refuse Centre is more than 30 years old, operating above capacity and not suitable to meet the city’s future resource recovery needs.
Council’s recently released Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan included the construction of two new resource recovery centres – one in the city’s Southern region, the other in the Western region.
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the location for the new centre in the Western region was yet to be decided.
“This council is serious about providing a first-class waste management and resource recovery service for our growing community,” Mayor Harding said.
“We are investing a record $70 million this financial year in improving resource recovery, with a major focus the delivery of fit-for-purpose facilities in high-growth areas to meet the needs of our growing community, recover more resources and reduce waste to landfill.
“Consultation on a new resource recovery centre in the Western council area is about ensuring we are getting our planning right and listening to the community. Make sure you take this opportunity to log in and provide feedback.”
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Deputy Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said it was important to plan for beyond the current Rosewood Recycling and Refuse Centre.
“Recently, we had a stark reminder that the Rosewood centre is being stretched beyond its original design capacity when a subsidence issue prompted the significant service adjustments and acceleration of planned works on key infrastructure,” Cr Tully said.
“The centre remains open and safe to use and will continue to operate in the interim, but the Rosewood-Thagoona-Walloon corridor is one of our city’s fastest growing areas, expected to house more than an additional 60,000 people over the next 25 years, so it is important we plan now to provide fit-for-purpose community infrastructure into the future.”
Deputy Mayor and Division 4 Councillor Russell Milligan said the community was being asked for input on site criteria, proposed locations and community preferences.
“It is a requirement that relevant site criteria be considered by council when planning for the new resource recovery centre,” Deputy Mayor Milligan said.
“This necessary criteria – the non-negotiables if you like – includes such elements as land size, vehicles, surrounding environmental conditions, site history, buffer distances, planning requirements and value for money.
“There are still some things over which the community can have a say. We are asking residents to help us identify site criteria which they would like council to consider when selecting a new location for the city’s Western facility.
“We are also seeking suggestions on potential locations that residents agree satisfy the necessary criteria.”
Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said once community feedback was collected, experts would use a ranking criteria to help identify preferred sites.
“The four ranking criteria are planning, environment, technical and financial,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
“Once the community feedback has been received, council will provide this to the technical consultants engaged to explore appropriate locations for a new resource recovery centre in the Western region.
“Throughout the consultative process council will share community feedback and then once the consultant’s report has been received, council will share the findings with the community before deciding on the next steps.”
Consultation is open on Shape Your Ipswich until 14 August, 2023.
Community members can find more information and make their submissions at Shapeyouripswich.com.au/westernrrc
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