Noosa Council today awarded a $6.53 million construction contract for the Eumundi-Noosa Road landfill expansion.
An expansion of existing landfill cells will help to meet Noosa's waste needs for the next decade or so.
"Exploring new ways of diverting material from our landfill and bringing about waste behaviour-change through education and awareness programs will be an important focus as we embark on developing a new waste strategy," Mayor Clare Stewart said.
"But behaviour-change takes time, and with our landfill cell nearing capacity, we must act now. Today's decision will provide the landfill space our community needs while we all work on improving recycling and waste reduction."
The project will ensure the landfill meets the shire's waste needs for another 10-15 years.
Contractor Hazell Bros (Qld) Pty Ltd will expand two existing landfill cells at the Eumundi-Noosa Road waste facility and install final capping over sections that have reached capacity.
Council's Waste and Environmental Health Manager, Kyrone Dodd, said the project also included construction of an access road around the landfill cells, new drainage systems and high-efficiency sediment basin to treat run-off.
The expansion is part of a landfill masterplan developed to ensure the most efficient use of the site to meet Noosa's long-term waste needs.
"The works contract is the major part of a total $8.9 million investment in our landfill, which also includes design and site works already carried out, environmental controls, project management and quality controls."
Mr Dodd said the total project cost was about $3.6 million higher than the estimated budget as Council had been able to create a larger expansion area than originally anticipated through clever engineering design.
"There have also been some additional site requirements, as well as rising construction costs – an issue impacting councils across Australia," he said.
The expansion work is expected to start early next year and take around 35 weeks to complete.
Council staff considered four tenders, with Hazell Bros (Qld) Pty Ltd scoring highest against the evaluation criteria.
"Hazell Brothers have experience building landfill projects of a similar nature and their tender offers overall best value for money for ratepayers," Mr Dodd said.
