Wagga’s bid to take a greener approach to rubbish disposal could see organic waste temporarily dumped into landfill.
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Contracts for a new kerbsite collection of waste have been awarded, but not only has a successful applicant for the processing of organic material not yet been found, this part of the scheme could be heading back to the tender stage.
It is supposed to be operating by April 2018.
After rejecting all tenders in July and agreeing to let Wagga City Council staff directly approach potential contractors, councillors are now being asked to rescind these decisions and to agree to start the tender process from scratch.
Caroline Angel, director of commercial operations, said it was council’s intention “to have the FOGO (food organics, garden organics) processing system in place by the commencement of the new service on April 2, 2018”.
“However if for any reason this is not possible, council would consider other alternatives at that time,” Ms Angel said.
Wagga Mayor Greg Conkey agreed asking for new tenders could affect the time frame for having the processing system in place.
“There is a chance if we do go back to the tender process, it won’t line up and possibly the green waste will need to go into landfill for a short time – just a short time. We simply don’t know," Cr Conkey said.
The council was hoping to get a more competitive tender process the second time around, he said.
Council’s decision to approve JJ Richards and Son’s tender for the city’s multi-million dollar waste collection contract and Kurrajong’s bid to retain the rights to process recyclables will not be affected.
Wagga’s green waste is currently mulched and used as daily cover on landfill to minimise odour and prevent waste blowing away, a requirement of the Environmental Protection Agency.
“Wagga City Council would prefer to turn this material into compost, which is why it is introducing a food organics and gardens organics collection service as part of the new kerbside waste collection contract, which starts from April 2, 2018,” she said.
How and where the organic waste is processed would be up to the successful contractor, Cr Conkey said.
He said the Gregadoo Waste Management facility had a limited lifespan.
