Lismore council gives $3.6m recycling centre the go-ahead

GLASS gathered at a new $3.6m recycling centre will be used to make asphalt while plastics, metal, and paper will be sold in bales to make new products.

LISMORE Council has approved a plan to build a $3.65 million materials recovery facility (MRF) that would separate and process all materials from the recycling bins.

Glass would be crushed to make asphalt at the quarry and other materials such as plastics, metals and paper would be cleaned and baled and then sold into the market to be made into new products.

Lismore has entered into an agreement with Richmond Valley Council to collect and process all of their recyclable materials and is confident of entering into a similar agreement with Ballina Council.

Lismore is hoping Ballina Council will pay 50% of the capital costs and expenses of the MRF and also pay a gate fee for the delivery of recycled materials.

In return Lismore would make a similar commitment to Ballina's pyrolysis plant that will convert organic waste into biochar.

Negotiations with Ballina are continuing, but Lismore Council has voted to proceed with the project regardless because they have grant money of $680,000 that could be lost if things aren't progressed.

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Lismore Council's manager of commercial services Phil Klepzig said they currently spend $300,000 a year to cart materials to Brisbane and that even if negotiations with Ballina fell over, the MRF would still be commercially viable.

But Cr Greg Bennett raised questions about why they were proceeding without a comprehensive business plan.

"It's a basic undertaking for any commercial activity... We built GSAC without a business plan and look where that's left us," he said.

Cr Isaac Smith urged councillors not to worry what Ballina will do and to "have some vision" and build the facility.

"Let's not lose sight of the project. This is a win for Lismore. Ballina is the icing on the cake."