The councils’ mayors and SRWRA CEO Chris Adams announced the news today at SRWRA’s existing Seaford Heights resource recovery and landfill site, where the new facility will be located.
Chris Adams said the new facility was a huge win for the environment, SA local government and the residents they serve.
“The unanimous support of our constituent councils will see us moving positively towards a circular economy and reducing our reliance on recycling companies,” Mr Adams said.
“The MRF will be important in building a foundation for the circular economy so that recyclables can be re-processed and manufactured locally, as well as creating 20 or more full-time equivalent jobs at the new plant, and process approximately 30,000 tonnes of recyclable materials per annum, with the scope to move to 60,000t if the need arises.”
Mr Adams said the councils and SRWRA will now work together to finalise the project schedule and seek funding support from state and federal government, with the intent for site works to commence as soon as possible in 2020.
“We will also continue to seek additional council and waste authority customers for the facility to deliver better outcomes for the environment and maximise return on investment.”
“SRWRA’s catchment extends from Holdfast Bay through the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island, representing an estimated 388,644 people, so the potential is there to process a large percentage of SA’s domestic recyclables at our new plant.”
City of Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson said the changing waste and recycling landscape in Australia has presented significant challenges for all councils, waste authorities and state and federal governments.
“But this situation has also presented us with an opportunity to move toward a goal we should all embrace – the effective recycling and reuse of our own waste without the need to ship these materials interstate or overseas,” Ms Thompson said.
“The added efficiencies delivered by our new processing plant will reduce our waste service and processing costs significantly, which is better for the organisation and our ratepayers.”
The new recycling facility is expected to be operational in 2021.