Transfer Station Hours To Change

February 14, 2019

South Burnett Regional Council will alter the opening hours of the Wondai and Murgon Waste Transfer Stations to comply with the State Government’s new Waste Management Levy.

From mid-June, the Wondai Waste Transfer facility will change its opening hours to 1:00pm-5:00pm every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Murgon facility will open from 8:00am to noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The changes have come after the Council conducted community consultations, where five opening hour options were presented.

The council received 37 submissions, with 51 per cent preferring the option that will be introduced. A further 24 per cent preferred another option very similar to it.

The changes have been prompted by the need to track commercial waste dumped at the two transfer stations in order to comply with the State Government’s Waste Levy.

To be fully compliant, the Council will also need to install a donga, rainwater tank, toilet, boom gate and electronic equipment at both sites at an estimated cost of $27,500.

The Council has secured a $22,000 grant from the State Government to cover 80 per cent of this cost but would need to fund the remaining $5500 itself.

The Council will also call a tender to supply supervision services at the two transfer stations.

A Council spokesperson said providing supervision was expected to significantly increase the transfer stations’ annual operating costs.

At present, both transfer stations are open daily and are unmanned.

“I am really disappointed that we have had to revert to manning our local Murgon and Wondai Transfer Stations and cutting back the hours,” Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff said.

“I think what we had was working really well.

“We are working in with the community so that if the transfer station is closed at one place, it should be open at the other one.”

Cr Ros Heit agreed.

“This is a State Government law we have to comply with,” she said.

“I’m sorry this will mean less convenience for Wondai and Murgon residents,” Cr Heit said.

“But we selected the opening times – morning or afternoon – that each community told us they preferred most.”

The South Burnett Regional Council will issue a public notice when the changes come into effect.

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