Long-awaited council landfill gas still years away

AN INNOVATIVE plan to commercialise gas produced by Toowoomba’s landfill might not get off the ground until 2021, despite being in development for years.

A plan to commercialise gas created by the council's landfill could still be several months away. Picture: Contributed

AN INNOVATIVE plan to commercialise natural gas produced by Toowoomba's landfill might not get off the ground until 2021, despite being in development with the council for more than four years.

The tender period for the council-led project has now closed, with the contractor expected to be announced early next year.

Water and waste chair Cr Nancy Sommerfield, who has previously been critical of the project's extended timeline, said the council would have to wait to start seeing the benefits.

"A report is expected to be tabled at the November meeting of the council, with awarding of the contract in early 2020," she said.

"Following the contract being awarded, it may take up to 18 months to install the relevant gas collection infrastructure, undertake test flaring and then construct the electrical and gas infrastructure prior to full project completion.

"The council has completed significant re-profiling work on one of the old landfill cells to facilitate the landfill gas project.

"This will ensure we are operationally ready to drill gas wells as soon as the contract is awarded."

The council allocated $300,000 in the latest budget to the landfill gas project.

Originally published as Long-awaited council landfill gas still years away