Englands Rd tip to be full by 2023, Coffs Council proposes height extension

With the Coffs Harbour tip fast approaching capacity at Englands Road, Council is proposing to pile the waste higher.

Can you take me higher? Probably. Photo: Trevor Veale / The Coffs Coast Advocate

If Coffs Harbour’s rubbish pile doesn’t rise another ten metres, the region will run out of landfill capacity in just over two and a half years.

That’s according to a report to be tabled at Thursday’s Coffs Harbour City Council meeting, where councillors will decide on whether to extend the life of the Englands Road Waste Management Facility.

Following the release of a report on potential expansion options prepared in October 2020, Council have recommended increasing the height of landfill from 32m to 42m. It’s an option that would enable the life of the tip to be extended until 2029.

The Englands Rd facility has been the primary landfill site since the 1960s and receives about 45,000 cubic metres of rubbish a year. If the current height of 32m is retained, it is expected to reach capacity by the end of 2023.

The region’s waste processing systems have come under scrutiny in recent months after concerns were raised about the worsening odour, the cost of transporting some waste to Tamworth and contractual disputes between Council and Biomass Solutions.

Visitors to the Englands Road Waste Facility will be in awe of the magnificent views afforded them with an extra 10 metres of elevation. Photo: Trevor Veale / The Coffs Coast Advocate

Biomass Solutions process Mixed Waste Organic Output, which Council are now spending $75,000 a week to truck to Tamworth after the Environmental Protection Authority deemed it unsafe for commercial use in 2018.

The decision to extend the lifespan of the Englands Road facility will also have implications for Council’s long term waste strategy.

“The recommendation in this report, which is to increase the capacity and longevity of the existing landfill, effectively defers future capital investment for a replacement for the Englands Road landfill,” Council staff said.

“As a consequence, the recommendation provides the time and space for further strategic considerations to take place regarding a post-Englands Road landfill future and ensures a long term waste management solution that presents the best value for money for Coffs Harbour.”

Why change the bin bag when you can just cram the rubbish down tighter and lift up those edges?

The Gilbert and Sutherland report discusses several options, all of which involve either increasing the size of the tip’s footprint, its height, or both.

While the report discussed options which would have resulted in an life-extension of up to almost 15 years, those options would have almost certainly resulted in Council being forced to submit a new development application.

It’s also not the first time Council has predicted the demise of the Englands Rd facility. In December 2011, the then manager of health Craig Foley told the Coffs Coast Advocate “everything is on the table” when discussing the tip’s seven-year shelf life.

“It’s not desperately urgent but it’s time we looked at it now,” he said.

“If we want to establish a new landfill it’s actually a tight time frame even though it won’t be needed for another seven years on current fill rates.”