The Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA) today welcomes the announcement of Remondis Australia’s intention to build a $400 million waste-to-energy facility in Queensland.
The facility which will be located in Swanbank, a region of Ipswich, will be able to process upwards of 500,000 tonnes of waste per year; waste that would have otherwise been sent to landfill.
“Remondis’s plan to significantly invest in waste and resource recovery technology in Queensland is very welcome,” said Ms Gayle Sloan, CEO of WMAA.
“While Remondis’ proposal is at the concept stage, it has the potential to divert non-recyclable waste that was destined for landfill into a productive use. The project will comply with the Waste Management Hierarchy and gaining the energy value from this material is a far better alternative than creating methane and leachate.
“Importantly, this will also create new jobs in Queensland and clearly demonstrates what industry has been saying - that the landfill levy will create jobs and drive investment opportunities in Queensland.
Remondis has over 50 of these types of facilities all over the world and is the second largest operator of waste-to-energy facilities. WMAA understands that Remondis has been consulting on this project, including with the local community since earlier this year.
“This really is exciting times for Queensland, with the introduction of the landfill levy and new Waste and Resource Recovery strategy later this year. As an industry, we are very much looking forward to creating jobs and new facilities that focus on diverting waste from landfill and creating a circular economy in Queensland.”