Guyra Landfill Rehabilitation

FAQs

1. What is the purpose of the Guyra landfill remediation project?

The project aims to rehabilitate the former Guyra landfill site to meet modern environmental standards, reduce environmental risks, and enable future community use of the land.

2. What are the key environmental goals of the project?

  • Cap and close the landfill to meet current environmental standards. 
  • Reduce leachate generation and monitoring costs.
  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the community’s greenhouse gas footprint.
  • Protect surface and groundwater from contamination.
  • Stabilise erosion-prone areas and cover exposed waste.

3. How does the project align with regulatory requirements?

The remediation is required as per the NSW EPA’s Environmental Guidelines: Solid Waste Landfills (2016), the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Act 1997 (NSW) and the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014 (NSW).

4. What is the total cost and funding source?

The project is estimated to cost $1.1 million, with $300,000 funded through the NSW EPA’s Landfill Consolidation and Environmental Improvement Program (Round 5) to support the long-term rehabilitation of the Guyra Waste Transfer Station.

5. Why is this project important for the community?

Mayor Sam Coupland emphasised that the grant enables ARC to deliver a project that enhances environmental protection, community safety, and future land use. It reflects ARC’s commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

6. What is the history of the Guyra Waste Transfer Station?

ARC inherited the site in 2016 after the amalgamation of Guyra Shire and Armidale Dumaresq Councils. The landfill had reached capacity and was operating as a transfer station in a degraded environmental condition.

7. What actions has ARC taken since inheriting the site?

  • Redirected waste to Armidale’s landfill at Long Swamp Road.
  • Responded to a formal directive from the EPA issued on 21 May 2018 to bring the site into compliance with environmental guidelines.

8. What is the timeline for completion?

Key milestones are scheduled through FY25/26, with final closure and rehabilitation works expected to conclude by late 2026.

9. How will the community benefit from this project?

  • Environmental protection and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Improved waste operations at the transfer station.
  • Future development opportunities for community or commercial use.

 

 

Back to top