After 18 months of design and site works the construction of the new landfill cell in Moama has been completed.
The $1.9million project included extensive earthworks at the site and construction of the leachate collection component within the cell.
One of Murray River Council's most significant projects at the landfill site in recent years, the new cell – known as 'Cell 5' - provides an airspace capacity of 135,000 cubic meters and has a waste acceptance capacity of 95,000 tonnes.
Northern Construction Group were appointed to undertake the earthworks which saw over 130,000 cubic metres of soil removed, 23,000 cubic metres of clay placed back and compacted to form the clay liner and 4,000 tonnes of 40mm aggregate placed in the base.
Over 135 site samples were also taken and tested during the construction phase to ensure the highest level of environmental compliance.
"This investment signifies our commitment to sustainable waste management practices and underscores the efforts made to deliver the project efficiently and responsibly," Mayor Chris Bilkey said.
"Our Waste Team remains dedicated to implementing environmentally sound waste management systems and future-proofing our community's waste needs, so this project marks a significant achievement in their ongoing efforts."
Whilst the new cell is already receiving some waste, council is now progressing towards the final completion of the leachate management system and collection pond, with a temporary system currently in place.
Once the development approval is granted, Northern Construction Group will return to the site after it has dried out to construct the leachate pond.
Additionally, Run Energy will install the leachate management system, encompassing compressors, pumps, pipes, and control systems.
Once fully complete, and based on current waste disposal statistics, it is expected that the cell will service the community for the next 5 years.
Council's Manager Waste and Compliance, Brian Holmes said the construction of the new cell was essential.
"The current cell was built in 2014 and is nearing capacity, so we certainly needed to plan for our community's waste needs sooner rather than later."
"But whilst our new cell 5 may have an impressive airspace of 135,000 cubic metres – which is the equivalent of just over 55 Olympic swimming pools – the best outcome for this cell would be that it's never filled!"
Mr Holmes said the community can help extend the life of the cell by ensuring they are disposing of rubbish correctly.
"Increased recycling, composting and utilising green waste services can make a big impact on the volume of waste we all produce and maximise the life of these cells by reducing the amount of waste we send to landfill," he said.
Interested in the construction process? There's a timelapse video of the works which offer a great perspective of the 'before' and 'after'!
