PLANS to upgrade waste management and recycling facilities across Inverell Shire received a major boost today with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announcing a $549,780 for Inverell Shire Council from the NSW Government’s Waste Less Recycle More initiative (WLRM).
Mr Marshall said council would use the funds to complete three projects at Oakwood, Wallangra and Yetman.
“I am very pleased to announce such significant funding for council to undertake some important works to improve waste management and recycling services for the community,” Mr Marshall said.
“The dilapidated landfill sites at Oakwood and Wallangra will be closed off, properly capped and remediated.
“Both sites pose health, safety and considerable financial and environmental risk for council, the border rivers catchment and the community, so there is a strong need to remediate both landfills.”
At Yetman, Mr Marshall said council would convert the existing landfill site into a modern waste transfer station.
“The project involves the sealing and capping the existing landfill constructing a new transfer station which will enable locals to drop off and sort their recyclable materials from their rubbish,” he said.
“This site will be staffed by council and the materials collected on a regular basis and taken to Inverell for processing.”
“This investment will contribute to the long term protection of the environment in the three locations.”
“I am confident that the funding will also help realise Inverell Shire Council’s goals to address identified issues and manage current liabilities posed by landfill activities.”
Mr Marshall said the government’s WLRM program was a $465.7 million five-year initiative that aimed to transform waste and recycling in NSW.
“Since April last year, council has received more than $1.2 million from this fund for a range of waste management improvement projects, including the new Community Recycling Centre in Inverell, which should be completed soon,” he said.
“There was strong competition in this round for funding with only 26 grants approved across the state.”
Uralla Shire Council was also successful in this round.