The C Cell will be built in an existing quarry adjacent to the current B Cells.
Southern Waste Solutions (SWS) anticipates having the designs for the construction of the C Cell at the Copping landfill facility completed early next year.
SWS Chief Executive Officer Christine Bell said plans were underway to commission detailed designs and to start construction in the first half of the new calendar year.
“At this stage we anticipate construction will commence prior to June 2014 and we hope to have the C Cell completed as soon as possible after that,” Ms Bell said.
“In an ideal world, the engineered Cell would be built within 12 months of construction starting, but we are currently negotiating contracts with potential customers to help us determine a more detailed timeline.”
Ms Bell said SWS would continue to keep the community updated as developments occurred.
“The cell will be engineered to world’s best practice and waste will be stored in a way that it is easy to extract for reprocessing and ensures it cannot harm the environment though emissions to air, soil or water contamination,” she said.
“Tasmania is the only state in Australia without a Category C waste disposal cell and if we are serious about our ‘clean, green’ image and environmental credentials, we all need to take responsibility for the waste we produce.
“The cell will give Tasmanian industries and businesses the confidence to clear legacy waste and it is only right that we should clean up our legacy waste stockpiles.
“It is important for all Tasmanians that we have the proper infrastructure to protect health, protect the environment to world’s best standards and support business and jobs.”
SWS – a joint authority owned by local government – has been operating the Copping landfill facility for over a decade, during which time it has been subject to regular independent environmental testing and has always met or exceeded the required standards.
• Cassy O’Connor: Plastic bag ban welcomed “Given the scarcity of the earth’s resources we all need to work together to create a world that produces zero waste, and that goal is still a long way off.” “Tasmania buries about half a million tons of waste every year, much of which could be recycled or just not created in the first place.” “Part of the Green philosophy is that each and every one of us has a responsibility to use less and conserve more.” “Nobody claims that it’s easy to practice a simple, low-consumption lifestyle in a world driven by rampant materialism, but it a responsibility we all have.” “The Greens will continue our campaign to reduce waste through measures like a landfill levy, a state-based container deposit scheme, and through raising public awareness.”
• Christine Bell, in Comments: Concerns have been raised by some in the community that our recent update on the C Cell’s progress in the media is a ‘desperate’ attempt to entice customers, which is not the case at all. SWS is working hard to keep the community informed about any C Cell developments, big or small, in order to remain open and transparent in everything we do. In addition to issuing regular community updates, we are facilitating a Community Reference Group to keep the community informed on the status and progress of the C Cell and to take feedback and input on the day-to-day operations of the landfill facility.
