In a decisive move to address Jindabyne’s waste management issues, Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) endorsed Option one, under section 9.1.1 of the Council’s business papers during their September meeting, with councillors unanimously in support. The endorsement would see additional works to the interim waste transfer station (WTS) at a significantly lower cost compared to the more elaborate Resource Recovery Centre (RRC) under options two and three, with staff now directed to actively seek external grant funding.
PHOTO: A solution to Jindabyne’s waste woes has been endorsed following SMRC’s September meeting CREDIT: Nick Fewings
The Council considered three primary options for the Jindabyne Waste Facility. Option one involves a range of enhancements to the interim waste transfer station introduced to deal with the closure of Jindabyne landfill. A roof providing protection from the elements for users, is listed among the improvements. Option one presents a whole-of-life costing of $2.6 million in the first year and $5.7 million over a 30-year period, with a projected two percent increase in waste fees.
DESIGN: Potential layout for Jindabyne’s permanent WTS under Option one CREDIT: SMRC
Option two proposed a full-scope RRC aimed at reducing on-site landfill with initial costs for the first year of $19.5 million and total costs rising to $66.1 million over three decades, causing a 38 percent spike in fees. Meanwhile, Option three suggested a reduced scope RRC with first-year costs of $7.6 million, growing to $39.8 million over the same period, with a consequential 26 percent fee increase.
DESIGN: A concept for the commercial side of the endorsed WTS CREDIT: SMRC
Council discussions highlighted the financial impracticalities of the latter options. “It may not be the Rolls Royce solution that some would want. It is the cost-effective solution… because we cannot afford the extravagance of option two or even option three,” Councillor Rooney articulated. He reinforced the view that Option one effectively addresses Jindabyne’s waste challenges within the community’s financial capabilities.
DESIGN: A concept for the domestic side of the supported WTS CREDIT: SMRC
Complete with a picking and recovery area as well as tip shop, costs for an environmentally friendly RRC would be driven up by a number of factors such as on-going additional staffing. SMRC’s September business paper sates, “The Project sees benefits in a Resource Recovery Centre to minimise waste to landfill, albeit suggests would be better placed at the consolidated landfill centre at Cooma.”
Community consultation played a role in Option one being the recommended way forward, particularly concerning proposed fee adjustments. In engaging with local contractors, views regarding additional fees were mixed but leaned towards practical acceptance of Option one, considering the alternative’s costs.
TABLE: Eight different criteria were considered against each option CREDIT: SMRC
Council clarified in the September business paper that this decision to endorse Option one requires no further need for the land acquired in September 2022, which was originally intended to support the proposed RRC. The land, sourced from Snowy Hydro Pty Ltd for $82,518, can now be sold, further offsetting the project’s capital expenditures.
Councillor Davis highlighted the proposed solution’s alignment with broader waste management practices: “Option one is consistent with how many councils manage their waste… It’s very consistent with EPA policies and allows us to manage the waste in Jindabyne in an appropriate way.”
The Council decision now supports a path forward, as SMRC CEO Noreen Vu noted: “It is a case of seeing if Council has an appetite for the proposal put forward, and it gives direction to staff to then go and actively seek funding with the external grants.”
This approach is in line with updating the council’s waste strategy, expected in the 2025/26 financial year, with an emphasis on integrating Cooma’s landfill capabilities to maximise waste management efficiency.