Councils unite to process green waste in the region
Date published: 24 November 2015
Townsville City Council will work with neighbouring councils to achieve better outcomes with the processing of green waste across the region.
Council today awarded a 24-month contract to ARG Trees for green waste processing in Townsville as part of a regional approach with the Burdekin and Hinchinbrook councils.
The two-year contract approved today by council includes an option of a further three 12-month extensions.
Today’s tender report will be considered by the Burdekin and Hinchinbrook councils in coming weeks.
Water and Waste Committee chairman Cr Ray Gartrell said the green waste initiative was potentially the first of more partnerships with councils on waste management.
"Townsville is working closely with our neighbouring councils through the North Queensland Waste Reduction and Recycling Working Group to identify ways to better manage and reduce waste right across the region," Cr Gartrell said.
"The North Queensland Regional Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan was released last year and identified green waste as one of the areas that offered opportunities for a higher level of service and better outcomes through economies of scale for all of our councils.
"With the Townsville contract due to run out this year, the time was right to go to tender and establish a Regional Garden Organics Processing Contract with the Burdekin and Hinchinbrook."
"This is a cost-effective commercial arrangement that will benefit all three councils in terms of the financial arrangements and in efficiencies across the board."
Townsville City Council will produce the lion’s share of the mulch, with 86% of the product to be reused in Townsville parks and gardens.
The contract will cost Townsville City Council an estimated $620,000 per annum – calculated per cubic metre of mulch produced.
Waste facilities covered by the tender are:
- Stuart Waste Facility; Jensen Waste Facility
- Hervey Range Waste Facility; Magnetic Island Waste Facility
- Bluewater Transfer Station; Toomulla Transfer Station
- Ayr Waste Transfer Station; Home Hill Waste Transfer Station
- Giru Waste Transfer Station; Kirknie Road Landfill
- Warrens Hill Waste Management Facility; Halifax Transfer Station
