Construction of the new $5.6 million Yarraman Waste Management Facility has been completed, making Yarraman home to Toowoomba Region's first Tier 4 Waste Management Facility.
TRC Water and Waste Committee Portfolio Lead Cr Nancy Sommerfield said the new facility was built on the previous landfill site and formed part of the ongoing waste strategy across the Region as Council's waste management network is modernised and upgraded.
"The facility provides cleaner waste solutions as the waste is stored on pavement and within bins and then transported to waste management locations offsite for recycling and recovery, to maximise diversion from landfill," Cr Sommerfield said.
"Customers will be able to segregate their waste via three different zones - bulk materials (concrete, timber, steel and green waste), resources recovery area and residual waste.
"Litter prevention controls are also in place to contain windblown litter within the facility.
"This is a major project that will serve Yarraman for many years to come and is critical for the health and safety of our community," Cr Sommerfield said.
The project is proudly funded by the Palaszczuk Government's South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program (SEQCSP) in association with Toowoomba Regional Council.
Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd said the Palaszczuk Government delivered $2 million for the project.
"SEQCSP helps SEQ councils to fast-track investment in new infrastructure and community assets that create good jobs for locals and deliver economic stimulus to local communities," Ms Boyd said.
"The Yarraman community now has a local, modern facility with better and cleaner waste management practices that supports resource recovery and landfill reduction."
A special feature of the Yarraman Facility is the popular community-garden area which has been retained and will be moved to the new facility in time.
With sustainability in mind, the landscaping plan has minimised lawns that require irrigation where possible and made extensive use of native grasses. Several water tanks capture enough rainwater to meet irrigation, wash-down and firefighting system needs. All lighting on site is low energy LED, minimising power demand and in line with future expectations, an electric car charging station has been installed for Council vehicles.
Local contactor Newlands Group supported 48 jobs during the construction period with 11 Yarraman local businesses involved and 32 businesses from the Toowoomba region contributing directly to the project.
Council allocated $3.5 million in its 2021/22 budget towards the project, which is being delivered as part of the Waste Infrastructure Plan in line with TRC's Waste Management Strategy 2021.
The new facility is currently expected to be operational by late-November 2022.
