Ipswich City Council has launched its Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan on the back of a record $70 million investment from the 2023-2024 Budget, aimed at significantly reducing waste to landfill.
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said council understands the importance of effective waste management and resource recovery in preserving the environment for generations to come.
“Council has launched its 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,” Mayor Harding said.
“This plan reinforces the need for future recycling and refuse centres in the Western and Southern regions to service growing population growth and demand.
“Council will engage with the community in the coming months, via its Shape Your Ipswich platform, community information sessions and events. Community feedback will help council better understand the views and questions of residents before any final decisions are made.”
The Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan incorporates several major initiatives, including upgrading existing waste facilities, constructing new resource recovery centres, and collaborating with other councils on a state-of-the-art materials recovery facility.
Mayor Harding said funding committed in last week’s Budget includes $8 million to progress the shared Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in partnership with Logan and Redland City councils.
There is another $9 million for new and replacement waste collection vehicles (making 55 across the fleet, with more purchases to come), including $3.3 million for a dedicated FOGO (food organics, garden organics) fleet.
There will be $3.8 million worth of upgrades to the existing recycling and refuse centres at Rosewood and Riverview, with a further $1.2 million committed for planning and design of two new centres.
“The Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan represents a significant milestone in Ipswich’s commitment to increasing the capacity of its waste management facilities, aligning with the city’s rapid growth and the imperative need to reduce waste to landfill,” Mayor Harding said.
“Through our significant investment and implementation of the plan, we aim to enhance our infrastructure, services, and overall quality of life for our residents for decades to come.”
Council has commenced work on upgrades for both the Rosewood and Riverview centres as an interim solution, with future plans for a new site to service the growing Rosewood-Thagoona-Walloon corridor.
“In response to the community’s needs, and as part of the plan, council will construct two new resource and recovery centres for the Southern and Western regions,” Mayor Harding said.
“These state-of-the-art facilities will be owned and managed by council to ensure seamless waste management services and cater to the evolving requirements of the community.
“The facilities will focus on resource recovery and diverting waste from landfill and, together with the MRF, will continue to reduce Ipswich’s need for landfill.”
“With the increasing capacity of new infrastructure to come online in future years, council will also investigate introducing tip vouchers.”
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Deputy Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said by developing new waste and resource recovery infrastructure, council is addressing the state’s landfill levy impact and ensuring that Ipswich remains well-equipped to handle future population growth, changing consumer habits, and technological advancements.
“Our record investment in waste management goes well beyond infrastructure improvements and includes further implementation of council’s resource recovery strategy,” Cr Tully said.
“Significant changes to the resource recovery service offering and future planning are also slated for this year. For the first time, council will invest approximately $1.52 million in an annual, on-demand large items collection service.
“This service will transition from a once-every-two-years to an annual service, allowing residents to call and make a booking. The on-demand service will commence during the 2023-2024 year, ensuring convenient and efficient service provision, with increased resource recovery for the community.
“As part of the city’s commitment to sustainable waste management practices, Ipswich has announced the expansion of the Food Organic and Garden Organics (FOGO) service citywide in 2024-2025.
“In preparation for this rollout, we will invest significantly this year in new FOGO bins. This expansion will empower residents to contribute to the reduction of organic waste and promote environmentally friendly practices throughout the city.”
With the increasing capacity of new infrastructure to come online in future years, council will also explore, during the 2023-2024 period, a resident subsidy scheme such as tip vouchers.
The community is invited to participate in a survey available on the Shape Your Ipswich website at www.shapeyouripswich.com.au/resourcerecoveryinfrastructure covering various aspects such as past visitation reasons, preferred opening hours, and feedback on resident subsidy schemes.
Councill remains dedicated to engaging the community and working together towards a greener and more sustainable future. For more information go to: www.shapeyouripswich.com.au/resourcerecoveryinfrastructure
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