Ipswich City Council has taken measures to ensure residents can still access the Rosewood Recycling and Refuse Centre despite some subsidence occurring on site.
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said there had been subsidence near one of the waste bays at the centre on Thursday 18 May, with the remaining bays closed the following day as a precaution.
“The Rosewood Recycling and Refuse Centre is more than 30 years old and operating over capacity, and should have been upgraded many years ago,” Mayor Harding said.
“Council has commenced work on upgrades for both the Rosewood and Riverview Centre as an interim solution, with future plans for a new Western Resource and Recovery Centre to service the growing Rosewood-Thagoona-Walloon corridor.
“Alternate bins for waste are now in place at Rosewood to continue to receive waste material. All other services at the site, such as green waste and recycling options, have not been impacted.
“Following independent engineering advice, council has decided to keep the original bays closed until repairs are completed as a safety precaution.”
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Deputy Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said upgrades including the replacement of the waste bays was always planned for the 2023-2024 financial year.
“The site remains open and safe to use, and we have not changed service offering or messaging as the site is still fully operational,” Cr Tully said.
Deputy Mayor and Division 4 Councillor Russell Milligan said council is operating to the best of its ability under changed circumstances.
“While we cannot predict future outcomes, it is not envisaged that anyone will be turned away based on current workloads,” Cr Milligan said.
Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said council also had other options available.
“People may be advised that in extremely busy periods or if they have very large loads, council provides an alternative option at the larger centre at Riverview,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
Council is preparing a city-wide Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan that outlines the best way to deliver fit-for-purpose resource recovery facilities in high-growth areas so it can meet the needs of the community, recover more resources, and reduce waste to landfill.
This plan reinforces the need for a future centre in the Western region to service growing population growth/demand.
Council will engage with the community in the second half of 2023 regarding preferences for locations, via its Shape Your Ipswich platform. The community feedback will help council and consultants explore appropriate locations before a final decision is made.
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