Blaxland RRWMF: Odour matters

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Blue Mountains City Council is committed to being a good neighbour and addressing any issues that arise at the Blaxland Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facility.

The facility provides the community with convenient access to waste disposal, recycling and re-use, local employment, lower cost waste disposal, reduced truck movements across the mountains and flexibility to provide tailored service levels to meet community needs.

The online odour log survey - conducted in 2021 - has now been closed. You can view the results in the Detailed Report of Blaxland Waste management Facility - Consultation document - in the Document Library.

You can view the environmental reporting data for Blaxland and Katoomba Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facilities.

Blue Mountains City Council is committed to being a good neighbour and addressing any issues that arise at the Blaxland Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facility.

The facility provides the community with convenient access to waste disposal, recycling and re-use, local employment, lower cost waste disposal, reduced truck movements across the mountains and flexibility to provide tailored service levels to meet community needs.

The online odour log survey - conducted in 2021 - has now been closed. You can view the results in the Detailed Report of Blaxland Waste management Facility - Consultation document - in the Document Library.

You can view the environmental reporting data for Blaxland and Katoomba Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facilities.

  • 20 December 2021

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    Below is an update on the progress of the plan and ongoing odour issues relating to the facility.

    Council received the report from the external consultant, on the landfill gas system efficacy and landfill cover in late November 2021. This was the final advice required to complete the Odour Reduction Action Plan. There are a number of operational changes that are in the process of being implemented in response to this report. Specifically, the fill plan is being modified to reduce the size of the tip face area, increase compaction and increase the angle of work to increase water run-off and avoid water seeping into the landfill.

    The final report, including the above advice was submitted to the EPA on 29 November 2021, as required by the pollution reduction clause in our Environmental Protection License. The EPA has advised that it will take up to 90 days for them to consider the information provided and to respond.

    Council has already re-engaged The Odour Unit Pty. Ltd. (the consultant that undertook the initial study) to undertake a further odour assessment to assess the overall improvement and effectiveness of the actions undertaken over the past 12 months.

    A Council report has been planned for March 2022 that will include the feedback received from the EPA and the outcomes of the odour assessment.

    The current environmental conditions are placing the facility at higher risk of odour generation. The wet conditions are presenting challenges and you will note that the odour is being reported whilst the facility is closed. This indicates that the odour would not cease if the landfill ceased operating, it is a challenge that must be solved or masked.

    Council is continuing to test for any fugitive gas emission using a 25m grid across the whole facility on a monthly basis and are addressing any weaknesses as they are identified.

    Council are also progressing an investigation into the use of an odour fence. An odour fence would mask and further disperse odour at the facility boundary. While this has not been suggested by the consultants at this stage, the use of an odour fence at the Katoomba Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facility prior to the closure of the old landfill was reportedly effective in resolving previous challenges at Katoomba.

    Please be assured Blue Mountains City Council remains committed to addressing the odour challenges, are responding to all advice and will continue to explore other options.

    The Blaxland Waste Management Facility provides the community with convenient access to waste disposal, recycling and reuse, local employment, lower cost waste disposal, reduced truck movements across the Mountains and flexibility to provide tailored service levels to meet community needs.

  • 30 August 2021

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    The Odour Reduction Action Plan was submitted to the NSW EPA on 28 May 2021, as required and was reported to Council at the 29 June 2021 Meeting. You can read the full report here: https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/documents/2021-06-29-council-meeting-business-paper

    Please see in the table below a summary of the progress made to date in delivering the odour reduction projects.

    Action Plan Projects

    Notes of progress / outcomes

    Status

    Project 1 - Address fugitive gas escape from the landfill

    • Increased gas sampling grid and frequency completed (now monthly)
    • Recycling stockpiles removed/reduced
    • Added more cover material to the top of the platform to repair intermediate cover thickness and possible gas escape
    • Improved operating practice to re-cap surface every time a stockpile is cleared

    Completed

    Completed

    Completed

    Completed

    Project 2 – Adopt the use of a bio cover

    • Identify sustainable and appropriate types of bio-cover that can be used by Council at the facility that will effectively filter potential fugitive gas escape from the landfill
    • Once a viable and approved bio cover is identified, write a bio cover management Safe Operating Procedure that can be integrated within the Blaxland Environmental Management Plan and daily operational practice going forward

    Completed

    In Progress

    Action Plan Projects

    Notes of progress / outcomes

    Status

    • Apply to the NSW EPA to vary EPL 10039 to allow the use of bio cover materials for the management of fugitive gas

    Extension

    requested

    Project 3 – Improve the aeration of the leachate system

    • Procurement and installation of new leachate aeration system
    • Ammonia levels are being monitored with improvements expected to be seen after 2 months of operation

    Completed

    Completed

    Project 4 – Cease the processing of green waste

    • All green waste is sent offside for processing at a licenced facility

    Completed

    Project 5 – Assess the efficacy of the landfill gas capture system

    • Due for completion October 2021

    · Likely to be delayed by COVID as consultants are not willing to come to the site

    Extension Requested

    Project 6 – Update site management plans

    • Due for completion October 2021 Likely to be delayed by COVID as consultants are not willing to come to the site

    Extension Requested

    Project 7 – Undertake and acoustic environmental assessment

    • Engage a suitably qualified contractor to assess the acoustic levels of operations conducted at the Blaxland facility and surrounding residential areas
    • Conduct the acoustic testing and assessment
    • Table report at the June Council meeting

    Completed

    Completed

    Completed

    Blue Mountains City Council is committed to being a good neighbour and addressing any issues that arise at the waste facility. The Blaxland Waste Management Facility provides the community with convenient access to waste disposal, recycling and re-use, local employment, lower cost waste disposal, reduced truck movements across the mountains and flexibility to provide tailored service levels to meet community needs.

  • Ordinary Council meeting on 29 June 2021

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    At the Ordinary Council meeting on 29 June 2021, it was resolved:

    1. That the Council notes the findings and recommendations in the Blaxland Resource Recovery & Waste Management Facility Field Ambient Odour Study.

    2. That the Council notes the findings of the Blaxland Resource Recovery & Waste Management Facility Compliance Noise Monitoring report.

    3. That the Council notes the conclusions of the Blaxland Resource Recovery & Waste Management Facility targeted planning review.

    4. That the Council notes the submission of the Odour Reduction Action Plan to the Environmental Protection Agency on 28 May 2021 as required by the Pollution Reduction Program License Condition.

    5. That the Council notes that the required service changes will commence in July 2021, with at least 2 weeks’ notice to be provided to customers and contractors.

    6. That the Council communicates the findings of the odour study and noise monitoring report and outlines the actions the Council is taking to mitigate the generation of odour and noise to stakeholders.

    7. That the Council receives a further report on the outcomes of the License Variation requests to the Environmental Protection Agency, and

    8. That the Council receives a report to the early part of the new term of the new Council that includes all options for future planning for the finite life of the

    Blaxland landfill and that this report includes timelines, ways of mitigating costs to ratepayers, and the introduction of full organics.

  • 14 May 2021

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    Council will make the report available 19 May. The planned briefing with residents on 19 May will proceed. This meeting provides an opportunity for interested residents to be briefed on the report outcomes and recommendation, in person by the consultant. Council staff will also present a draft action plan at the meeting. See details below:

    Title: Odour Report Outcomes and Draft Action Plan

    Location: Meeting room 1, Blue Mountains Theatre & Community Hub, Springwood

    Date and time: Wednesday 19 May at 14:30.

    Venue capacity: 30

    Please register for this event at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/blaxland-rrwm-facility-odour-report-outcomes-and-draft-action-plan-tickets-154179263327

    A second meeting will be held on 26 May. This will provide residents time to review the report and give an opportunity for further questions and feedback on both the report and action plan. See details below:

    Title: Odour Report Outcomes and Draft Action Plan Feedback session

    Location: Community Dining Room, Blue Mountains Theatre & Community Hub, Springwood

    Date and time: Wednesday 26 May at 14:30.

    Venue capacity: 15

    Please register for this event at: : https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/odour-report-outcomes-and-draft-action-plan-feedback-session-tickets-154665652129

    The Odour Report and action plan will now be considered at the 29 June Council meeting. Residents have the option to register and speak, on the topic, at the Council Meeting. The Council meeting details are below:

    Title: Ordinary Meeting of Council

    Location: Council Chambers, Civic Place, Katoomba

    Date and time: Tuesday 29 June at 19:30

    Registrations to address the meeting close: Tuesday 29 June at 19:20

    If you would like to address the meeting please ensure you register at the Council Chambers between 6.45pm to 7.20pm. Alternatively you can register online by completing and returning the ‘Registration Form for Addressing Council’. This form can be found by visiting bmcc.nsw.gov.au/council-meetings.

  • 30 March 2021

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    Thank you to the residents who have contributed data to the independent odour assessment through the use of the online odour log. This information has been provided to the independent specialist to inform their report.

    As this odour study is nearing completion, the online odour log information will be closed off and the final entries forwarded to inform the consultant’s report.

    The final report from the independent odour assessment, including any outcomes and recommended actions, will be made publicly available when it is reported to Council in the coming months.

    Blue Mountains City Council is committed to being a good neighbour and addressing any issues that arise at the waste facility. The Blaxland Waste Management Facility provides the community with convenient access to waste disposal, recycling and re-use, local employment, lower cost waste disposal, reduced truck movements across the mountains and flexibility to provide tailored service levels to meet community needs.

  • 4 December 2020

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    Following is an update on relevant actions that have been taken at Blaxland Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facility recently.

    Action

    December 2020 Update

    Expand landfill gas capture system

    During October additional pipelines were installed to help capture more gas from the active landfill area

    Independent compliance audit

    During November an independent audit was completed with an action plan due during December 2020.

    Landfill gas monitoring

    Will be completed in December 2020

    Complete rain event remediation

    Completed in October

    Use of handheld gas monitor

    Now being used in daily assessment of conditions at the Facility and in neighbouring streets.

    In addition, at the Ordinary Council meeting on 24 November 2020, it was resolved:

    “That the Council calls the Environment Protection Authority in to investigate the odour issues at Blaxland Waste Management Facility as a matter of urgency and to provide advice on the immediate resolution of same, including guidance as to the future management of the site.”

    We have since written to and met with representatives from the NSW EPA and agreed on a process to address the odour issue. This includes engaging a suitably qualified person to identify all potential sources of odour and management strategies to redress the issues and prepare a report for the EPA.

    We are now seeking the neighbouring community’s support with this odour assessment. We have established an “Online Odour Log” – available on this page – for neighbours to record details of odour incidents. These reports will help the independent odour specialist prepare the report to the EPA.

    Blue Mountains City Council continues to take extensive steps to reduce the impact of the facility on our neighbours. This helps to ensure the community continues to benefit from easy access to waste disposal, recycling and re-use, local employment, lower cost waste disposal, reduced truck movements across the mountains and flexibility to provide tailored service levels to meet community needs.

  • 2 October 2020

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    Blaxland Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facility has been impacted by a number of notable events over the past 2-3 years. While these events have contributed to some odour issue, Council has and continues to take action to reduce the impact of these.

    The table below highlights the events and the remediation’s completed or in progress:

    Event

    Remediation in process or completed

    February 2020 - One in one hundred year rain event, which lead to a landslide

    Remediation work on the landslide has now been completed.

    December 2019 to February 2020 - Bushfire preparations saw 2,000 tonnes of green waste accepted at the facility.

    Over 60% of this material has been removed from the site with the remainder being removed by the end of October.

    February 2019 - Opening of the new Cell

    Council’s Environment and Planning Services directorate has reviewed the footprint of the current operation in the northern part of the facility and has confirmed that is not inconsistent with the approved footprint.

    December 2017 - Transfer of Domestic Green Waste Bin material to Blaxland

    Planning is currently well underway to move this material back to Katoomba. It is envisaged to occur in October 2020.

    In addition to the remediation outlined above, Council continually and proactively carries out work to monitor and reduce the impacts the site has on the surrounding community.

    Currently scheduled activities at the site include:

    Timeframe

    Action

    12-16 October 2020

    Expand the gas capture system. There may be a temporary increase in odour while these works are completed.

    October 2020 – December 2020

    External audit of Environmental compliance and Development consent compliance to identify areas for improvement.

    November 2020 – December 2020

    Undertake air monitoring to identify if there are any variances from previous test periods.

    December 2020

    Finalise remediation actions from the rain event.

    Council have and continue to take extensive steps to reduce the impact of Blaxland Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facility on its surrounding residents.

    This helps to ensure the community continues to benefit from easy access to waste disposal, local employment, lower cost waste disposal, reduced truck movements across the mountains, flexibility to provide tailored service levels to meet community needs.

  • 4 March 2020

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    Neighbours of Blaxland Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facility may have experienced odours from the facility recently.

    Council apologies for any discomfort, inconvenience and concern this may have caused.

    Despite Council’s best efforts to minimise odours, recent significant rain events has resulted in the facility experiencing a landslide that has exposed waste. Unfortunately the landslide may cause some short term odours to neighbouring properties under certain weather conditions.

    Council has advised NSW Environment Protection Authority of the incident, as the regulator of the site, and engaged an expert consultant. Together, we are working through the issues to remediate the site.

    At this stage the continued wet weather makes the site difficult and unsafe to commence remediation. Due to the wet grounds, machinery are unable to commence the required works until the grounds dry out. We ask for your patience and ensure that as soon as the conditions have improved and are safe, works will commence.

Page last updated: 08 Aug 2022, 04:05 PM