Tip shock: Council to consider reopening controversial Gold Coast suburban dump

One of the city’s most controversial closed dumps, only recently used a film set for the Tom Hanks’ Elvis movie, is about to be revived as a drop-off centre for household waste.

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A CONTROVERSIAL closed dump used as a film set on Tom Hanks’ Elvis movie is about to be revived as a drop-off centre for household waste.

Councillors exploring the Suntown tip at Arundel as a green pad and collection point for the waste from the flexi-skip pick-up system.

Suntown Landfill Tip at Arundel when it was open.

Officers from council’s waste services suggested the “potential for location, separation and combined processing of materials, in particular green waste” at Suntown.

A survey by area councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden on social media showed 83 per cent support it and about 16 per cent are against.

But some property owners are furious: “Please look at what has happened in the past and be aware that a long and protracted battle will ensue,” one resident wrote. “I suggest you have a discussion with the near Suntown community prior to hanging this issue as an albatross on your political aspirations.”

Security at the Suntown tip on the set of Elvis on the Gold Coast.

The landfill, which opened in 1979, was closed in 2012, after many residents blamed health issues on the dump. Council agreed to install in-house monitors after residents complained about potential explosions due to methane gas leaking from the site.

In reply to the resident, Cr Bayldon-Lumsden said he had spoken to officers about legal issues, dust and impact on wildlife.

“There has been no suggestion to reactive the site as landfill, and all material taken to the site would be removed,” he told the Bulletin.

“There has been quite broad support for the idea. However, there are a lot of concerns – dust, noise, traffic – that need to be fully addressed if officers are to progress with investigations.”

Cr Bayldon-Lumsden said officers were focused on reducing what was sent to landfill to decrease costs.

Suntown Landfill Tip at Arundel when open.

Flexi-skip had been a huge success with half the materials being recycled, a huge uptake occurring in Cr Bayldon-Lumsden’s Division 7.

“We can’t just keep digging holes. I’d want to make sure that residents’ concerns are addressed and that there is plenty of consultation with the local community,” he said.

“These things are best done when people are involved in the process. I understand that some people have concerns, given the previous history of landfill. However, this proposal doesn’t suggest opening landfill.”

Cr Bayldon-Lumsden said the plan was to open up only a small part of council land at the tip.

Councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden — listening to concerns of residents. Picture Glenn Hampson.

“If all concerns can be addressed officers believe a green waste drop and go pad could be functioning by the end of the year. Long-term usage of the site isn’t likely to be considered for decades still,” he said.

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