Renewable energy: Giant development to revolutionise Gold Coast rubbish removal

No new tips will be created on the Gold Coast within a decade, under a plan to build the city’s own version of a revolutionary mega development which will reshape the city.

MAYOR Tom Tate wants the Gold Coast to make the transition to renewables within a decade by replicating the world’s largest waste-to-energy facility.

Dubai is building the giant $1.1bn power-generating complex in a bid to reduce its reliance on landfill for rubbish and take pressure off its existing power plants.

Mr Tate, who has just returned from a mission to the United Arab Emirates, said his eyes had been opened to the possibilities of waste management and technology.

Artist impression of the Waste to Energy plant under construction in Dubai.

“They are building the biggest waste to energy management facility in the world which means no waste goes into the tip and it becomes energy,” he said.

“Next year I will concentrate on planning our city to come up with a solution to go from waste to energy which will be a two-prong attack – with education and technology.

“This would be the biggest shake-up to the city’s waste systems since recycling was introduced in 1992.

“Our land is very expensive now and with all the technology we have, we can sort our waste correctly, build a new plant for waste-to-energy so my target is that no waste on the Gold Coast going into landfill by 2032.

The mayor plans to put a motion before council at some time in 2023.

“Who is going to vote for more landfill?” he said.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate at Dubai's Waste to Energy renewable energy facility in November 2022.

“By 2032 we can be the greenest city in all the land”.

The Dubai facility is under construction and, once completed in 2024, will treat more than 1.9 million tonnes of waste each year.

It is built on a former landfill site and will feed up to 200 megawatts of thermal energy into the power grid.

Dubai has been a sister city of the Gold Coast for 21 years and long been a target for civic leaders to boost visitors from the Middle East.

The Mayor last visited the city in 2016 and has previously met with the Crown Prince with whom he struck up a friendship, had previously been forced to cancel trips because of the pandemic.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said his eyes were “opened” by his tour of the facility.

During his trip, Mr Tate met wit his counterpart, Dubai Municipality Director General Eng. Dawood Abdul Rahman Al Hajiri.

State Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said she it was critical to boost the region’s renewable energy credentials.

“I welcome any commitment to help increase renewable energy and genuinely reduce emissions – it’s good for the economy, jobs and the environment,” she said.

“The Palaszczuk Government is leading the way on renewables with a $62bn energy and jobs Plan which will see our coal-fired power stations converted to clean energy hubs, while maintaining public ownership.

“Right now, we’re working with a number of councils to fund trials for Food and Garden Organic kerbside collection services and we’ve recently announced funding to scale up recycling with GC businesses like Phoenix Recyclers.

Meaghan Scanlon. Photo Steve Pohlner

“That’s on top of food waste diversion and recycling trials we’ve funded on the Gold Coast, and plans to trial further commercial food waste collection in the city.”

It is the latest step in the Gold Coast’s move towards renewable energy.

The Bulletin revealed in November that developer Nifsan had lodged an application with the Gold Coast City Council to build the giant solar farm on Nerang’s Riverview Road next to the future route of the Coomera Connector.

The 600-panel complex will also feature a giant 10MWH battery energy storage system. It will generate and store enough power to run 650 homes a day.

Follow @GCS_Pottsy