November 14, 2022
Yarraman’s new $5.6 million waste management facility is expected to be open for public use later this month.
The completion of construction was marked with a small ceremony on site recently.
Cr Nancy Sommerfield said the new facility was built on the previous landfill site and formed part of an ongoing strategy to modernise and upgrade the Toowoomba Regional Council’s waste management network.
“The facility provides cleaner waste solutions as the waste is stored on pavement and within bins and then transported to waste management locations offsite for recycling and recovery, to maximise diversion from landfill,” Cr Sommerfield said.
“Customers will be able to segregate their waste via three different zones: bulk materials (concrete, timber, steel and green waste), resources recovery area and residual waste.
“Litter prevention controls are also in place to contain windblown litter within the facility.
“This is a major project that will serve Yarraman for many years to come and is critical for the health and safety of our community.”
The project was funded by the State Government in association with Toowoomba Regional Council.
Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd said the State Government put $2 million towards the project.
“The Yarraman community now has a local, modern facility with better and cleaner waste management practices that supports resource recovery and landfill reduction,” Ms Boyd said.
A special feature at the Yarraman Facility is the popular community garden area which has been retained and will be moved to the new facility.
The landscaping plan has minimised lawns that require irrigation where possible and made extensive use of native grasses. Several water tanks capture enough rainwater to meet irrigation, wash-down and firefighting system needs. All lighting on site is low-energy LED, minimising power demand and in line with future expectations, an electric car charging station has been installed for Council vehicles.
A TRC spokesperson said local contactor Newlands Group supported 48 jobs during the construction period with 11 Yarraman businesses involved and 32 businesses from the Toowoomba region contributing directly to the project.
Council allocated $3.5 million in its 2021-22 budget towards the project.
The new facility is expected to be operational by late November.
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