Baw Baw councillors believe the shire could save around $300,000 over two years by switching to a new dumping site.
At their meeting last week, councillors accepted a waste disposal tender from SUEZ Recycling & Recovery Pty Ltd.
The move sees Baw Baw cease using Latrobe City Council’s Hylands Highway Landfill in favour of SUEZ’s Hallam Road Landfill located in Hampton Park.*
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SUEZ will be paid an estimated $2,215,709.46 excluding GST to cover disposal costs from 1 November this year to 30 September 2019. That’s an average of $1,107,854.73 ex-GST per year.
But why the change?
“Historically, Baw Baw Shire Council had an agreement with Latrobe City Council to use their landfill at a discounted rate,” a Baw Baw Shire spokesperson explained in a media release.
“This was in recognition of Latrobe City Council utilising Baw Baw Shire Council’s Trafalgar landfill from 2007 to 2009, during the construction of their new landfill.”
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The Trafalgar site closed in 2011 after the Environment Protection Authority expressed concerns about leachate levels.
“In September this year, the agreed volume of garbage disposed of [at Hylands Highway] for a discounted rate was achieved,” the spokesperson continued.
“To ensure the best value for money moving forward, [Baw Baw] tendered these services and received three submissions from landfill disposal operators.
“The new contract was awarded to SUEZ, who offered the most competitive price.”
*Council officer notes on the motion seem to incorrectly state the SUEZ site is in Hallam.
