A new tip well and master plans to redevelop some of the region's waste facilities will be on the way with funding allocated in this year’s Bundaberg Regional Council budget.
Waste and Recycling portfolio spokesperson Cr Tanya McLoughlin said changes would begin to take shape at University Drive, Qunaba and Cedars Road in the 2022/23 financial year.
“Features to be considered include additional weighbridges, new collection depot locations, and an expansion of the material recovery facility,” she said.
“There will also be the consideration of a food and garden organic processing facility and more.
“These additions have been planned with the region’s future in mind, ensuring systems are equipped to provide services for many years to come while maximising how much waste we can recycle instead of it ending up in landfill and harming our environment.”
A new piece of equipment called a tip well, which can transfer bulky items into the Bundaberg Waste Facility pit, will also be featured as part of this year’s budget.
The tip well will be the second of its kind at the University Drive facility and benefits customers by assisting with the dumping of heavy waste.
Cr McLoughlin said the tip well was identified as a need in this year’s budget due to the popularity of the original equipment.
“Tip wells greatly improve customer service and safety ,” she said.
“This large piece of equipment enables customers to place bulky items into the machine which then tips the waste into the transfer station pit, avoiding the need for customers to lift heavy objects over rails.
“The original tip well at the University Drive facility is utilised greatly by residents and it was identified that a second unit would be highly beneficial.”
Cr McLoughlin said Council was always looking at ways to make waste and recycling processes easier for residents while benefiting the environment.
“Our waste facilities will continue to provide free disposal points for recyclable items into the new financial year,” she said.
“These include the Paintback Scheme, chemical waste disposal and mobile phone drop off points.
“These services are heavily utilised by the community which in turn means our region is committed to reducing the amount of waste going to landfill to help protect our environment.”
The full budget documents can be viewed here.
More budget news: Budget shows restraint, builds for future
My husband and I went to the tip to drop off 3 garden bags of clippings and some pavers in the back of our little car was very disappointed when the man told us it was $14 to get rid of it when we pay $4 thousand a year in rates. Won’t do that again will put it in the bin next time .