The landfill expansion at the Cairncross Waste Management Facility is needed to meet future waste disposal needs.

The $56.9 million proposal involves the progressive construction, operation and rehabilitation of three landfill cells.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council acting director Dan Croft said the council was seeking development approval to extend the Cairncross landfill to cover the remaining area identified in the 1999 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 

The current approval only covered the first stage within the identified area, he said, and with this stage nearing completion, the council needed approval to operate the remaining stages. 

The proposal involves the progressive construction, operation and rehabilitation of the landfill with construction and operation of the next stage expected to start in 2019/2020. 

At the completion of each stage, the next stage would be constructed and used for landfill before being closed. 

Securing future landfill capacity for the community was identified in the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy 2017-2024. 

A new Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared to support the application, in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. 

More than half of all waste collected is diverted away from landfill through a range of recycling, composting and waste avoidance initiatives. 

“Despite the success of these programs, securing future landfill capacity is essential, largely due to population growth and related waste generation,” Mr Croft said.

“Landfill remains the only option for all waste currently placed in the red waste bins but we continue to strive to find alternative waste diversion solutions.”

The existing landfill is expected to reach capacity in about 2020. 

Waste from all areas of the local government area would go to the expanded landfill.

The additional landfill cells would receive about 3.2 million tonnes of waste.

The application and associated documents can be viewed on the Department of Planning and Environment’s website and a hard copy is available at the council headquarters in Burrawan Street.​

Submissions from the public to the department are open until March 16. People are encouraged to use the department’s online form.

Mailed submissions should be marked to the attention of Director –  Industry Assessments, Planning Services, Department of Planning and Environment, GPO Box 39, Sydney, NSW, 2001.