Council agrees to develop long-term waste strategy

Gosford Council has agreed to motion from Cr Jeff Strickson to develop a long-term strategy for Council's waste management activities.

The multi-part motion will also see the Council continue to promote the benefits of the landfill gas extraction system at Woy Woy tip and resource recovery opportunities at the landfills.

Cr Strickson told the council that AGL currently generates electricity from extraction of landfill gas at Woy Woy with approximately 8084 MWh of electricity produced in the past 12 months.

He said this was the equivalent of generating electricity to provide for 1077 average NSW homes.

"The combustion of landfill gas (methane) has also reduced the carbon emissions from the landfill by 31,003 tonnes of CO2," Cr Strickson reported.

"The generator is now at or near full capacity and opportunities need to be identified to reduce waste to landfill, increase landfill gas capture rates and reduce the cost of meeting Council's carbon emissions liability.

"Council is currently negotiating opportunities for any improved landfill gas capture with AGL.

"Providing sustainable and cost effective waste and carbon management solutions to both conserve the landfills' life and reduce emissions is a significant challenge for Council, especially as the regulatory environment around waste and carbon price implications is both extremely complex and unpredictable."

Cr Strickson said there was currently funding available under the Waste Less, Recycle More scheme that may assist Council with actions and projects to achieve this endeavour.

In line with Cr Strickson's motion, Council will also write to local members seeking support for any relevant funding submissions under the NSW State Government's Waste Less, Recycle More initiative.

Gosford Council Agenda NM.16, 17 Sep 2013