No. 74

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE OF LANDFILL SITE

The ACT Government has committed $120,000 to undertake planning activities for the remediation and rehabilitation of the former Belconnen Landfill site.

Minister for Territory and Municipal Services John Hargreaves said the site had closed in 2001 and the Government proposed to undertake master planning for the area’s maintenance and future use.

“The Master Plan will develop detailed rehabilitation and remediation plans, including a revised environmental management plan and site maintenance programs to ensure regulatory compliance and sound management practices,” he said.

“This process will allow the Government to identify future uses of the site. The Government is committed to ensuring that the site remains safe and does not affect the surrounding environment.”

The Belconnen Landfill facility stopped accepting waste material for landfill in 2001.  The site will be maintained as a contingency or emergency landfill facility, to provide a back-up landfill to the Mugga Lane Waste Management Facility.

“This planning will ensure that the site is maintained for the future so that there is no potential negative impact on the environment,” Mr Hargreaves said.