Bega Valley Shire Council's Waste Facility Consolidation and Modernisation Project will host a number of information sessions across the region, as council looks to meet national waste reduction targets.
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The project involves expanding kerbside pick-up and bin bank services to an additional 1100 rural households, and redeveloping the existing sites at Eden, Bermagui as well as a new site at the Central Waste Facility - leading to a staged consolidation of the Bemboka, Merimbula, Wallagoot, Cobargo and Candelo waste transfer stations.
Council's director of assets and operations Anthony McMahon said at the current filling rate, landfill will reach capacity in 15 years, with more than 21,000 tonnes processed last year.
"A large portion of this could have been separated out as recyclables if the appropriate facilities were available," he said.
The project aims to meet national waste reduction targets and to deliver on council's 10-year waste management strategy.
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"We need to act now to provide a lasting legacy for future generations that focuses on solutions, not on creating more problems," Mr McMahon said.
"This is about changing the way we think about waste. It requires a commitment between council and the community to make this project work to secure our longer-term future.
"In recent years we have successfully moved from multiple landfill sites to one modern landfill facility ten minutes from Bega.
"However, projections show that at our current filling rate the Shire's landfill will reach capacity in 15 years. We are working to expand this capacity, but as an organisation and society we need to put a greater effort into diverting waste for resource recovery.
The project will develop highly effective resource recovery centres at three existing sites in Eden, Bermagui and near Bega.
"This means three sites, done better, open every day; and a big departure from the sporadic opening hours we are currently using," Mr McMahon said.
"We understand that closing transfer stations in towns and villages where there are no waste collection services is a concern, so a big part of our proposed project involves introducing our kerbside and bin bank services to more than 1100 additional rural households.
"It's a large proposed project with many facets, changes and opportunities, and undoubtedly there will be lots of people wanting to know how the changes will affect them.
"We invite anyone with questions to come along to an information session, where you can speak with Council's waste team about changes happening in your area," he said.
The first session will be held at the Bega Commemorative Civic Centre's Biamanga Room on September 28, followed by council's Central Waste Facility on Wanatta Lane on September 29.
There will also be sessions at the Bemboka Memorial Hall on September 30 and October 23, the Bermagui Community Centre on October 6, the Cobargo Hall on October 19 and October 26, and the Candelo Hall on October 20 and October 21.
Further sessions will also be held in the south of the Shire at Eden log cabin on October 22 and Club Sapphire in Merimbula on October 27.
