Joint effort to cut down on significant costs as landfill site reopens

LISMORE Recycling and Recovery Centre has reopened its landfill site after a $15.6 million investment from the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements from the government for vital repair work at the facility.

The site has been the central disposal facility for residual waste in Lismore since the 1960s and was closed for nearly four years after extensive damage from the floods in 2022.

The site reopening will cut down on significant costs from using waste services in Queensland.

The restoration included drying the flood-affected cell and reinstating environmental safeguards, including the replacement of the cell floor lining system.

Lismore City Council is also progressing long-term planning for future waste management, with investigations underway into a new regional landfill that can service the community for the next 50 years.

“Restoring our landfill has been a complex and challenging task, and I want to sincerely thank the contractors and council staff who’ve worked tirelessly to make this happen,” mayor Steve Krieg said.

“Their commitment has not only delivered a vital piece of infrastructure back to our community but also helped reduce the financial burden of transporting waste out of the region.”

NSW Public Works provided technical and administrative support to the repair.

It helped accelerate the finish time with the site reopening four months ahead of schedule.

Page MP Kevin Hogan said restoring the site was essential so rubbish can be managed locally, helping keep costs down and giving the community confidence in the amount it can take.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin were also at the reopening.

Saffin said the project shows what can be achieved when all levels of government work together to rebuild stronger and more resilient communities after disasters, while supporting local jobs.

The site is expected to secure waste capacity for at least seven to 10 years.

“Council is now focused on investigating a site for a future landfill to service the region for the next 50 years, once the current facility reaches capacity,” general manager Eber Butron said.