Council explores Blakebrook Quarry as potential long-term waste solution

LISMORE City Council is looking to find a long-term solution for local waste at the Blakebrook Quarry with its current facility expected to reach capacity in the coming years.

With the landfill at the Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre expected to reach capacity within the next seven to ten years, the council is beginning to consider options now, to ensure the continuity of secure and affordable waste services.

Mayor Steve Krieg said the current stage is about forward planning and understanding what options may be available while not making final decisions.

“Planning, assessing and securing approvals for a compliant landfill facility is a complex process that can take ten years or more,” he said.

“Starting early gives us time to do this work carefully and thoroughly.”

“No decision has been made to build a landfill at Blakebrook. At this point, we’re simply investigating whether the site is suitable”.

The quarry was identified following a structured site selection process during which more than 30 potential locations across the Lismore Local Government Area were considered against social, environmental and planning criteria.

 

The council is investigating a disposal facility for residual waste, while the proposal does not include a public tip or transfer station.

If the project were to proceed in the future, residents and businesses would continue to use the Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre for public waste, reuse and recycling programs.

In September, councillors endorsed Blakebrook Quarry as the preferred site for further investigations.

Discussions with directly impacted landowners followed with a meeting with the Northern Rivers Quarry Community Consultative Committee in November and information sessions with the local community in April.

Feedback from this engagement will help shape the concept design and business case, which the council are expected to consider next year.

At that point, councillors will decide whether the project should proceed to the project approvals phase, which would include preparation of a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement.

Plans would include a formal public exhibition as part of the NSW Government Assessment Process with more community information sessions in the coming months.