Council staff have put forward a recommendation in response to a councillor-led proposal for expressions of interest for the development of Buttonderry Waste Management Facility.
The economic development committee met on April 1 and recommended the council call for a comprehensive briefing paper on Buttonderry with a view to seeking expressions of interest (EoI) for the future development, operation and income generation of the site.
The committee noted:
a) the shortage of landfill sites in Greater Sydney
b) the state government legislation for FOGO
c) new and emerging technology to process waste
d) over $30million paid annually to the state for garbage tax
e) the strategic significance and value of Buttonderry with an estimated value exceeding $2billion.
But the report to the April 29 ordinary meeting of council notes the committee’s recommendations .
Staff have come up with an alternative recommendation.
Staff say they are busy organising the planned introduction of FOGO (food organics and garden organics) as per State Government legislation.
It must be introduced by 2030.
“Whilst this may seem some time away, the procurement, construction and introduction of the FOGO service is a significant project that requires the available time to implement,” the staff report states.
“Any delays in the introduction of FOGO at this time may place Council at risk of not meeting the mandated implantation date and at risk of fines up to $500,000 for not implementing and $50,000 per day for each day the service is not available.”
Staff are expected to table in June a report which details the FOGO Business Case and planned methodology for its introduction.
Previous reports identified that FOGO should be delivered via a Public Private Partnership.
Staff say that Buttonderry operates as a reasonably small-scale local landfill which provides a community focused service that allows the safe disposal of waste predominantly from the Central Coast LGA.
“To undertake a meaningful EoI within the waste industry for a change in current activities and to ensure valid responses are submitted, would require both a clear set of aims and objectives that Council is seeking responses to, and to articulate current restrictions and obstacles that may need to be considered by any organisation submitting an EoI response,” staff state in the report to the April 29 meeting.
“The EoI process would also have to be undertaken in a manner that ensures probity and require extensive documentation to provide prospective respondents with sufficient information.”
The report states that escalating the tip would be a significant change from current business activities and would require a “step change” in the operational scale, Council staff structure, and management approach.
The councillors will deal with the recommendation at the meeting which starts at 6.30pm.
Meanwhile, see the previous story on the economic committee’s discussions of the tip here: https://www.cccouncilwatch.com.au/buttonderry-waste…/
