The proposal involves composting food organics and garden organics (FOGO) collected from local councils to produce up to 15,000 tonnes of pasteurised mulch per year. The facility will be located on top of an existing landfill cell and will support rehabilitation activities at the landfill.
Public exhibition of the Environmental Effects Report was undertaken for 21 days from 1 April to 21 April 2026, with one representation received. Issues raised in the representation focused on potential odour, leachate and broader environmental management concerns.
The Board's delegate has considered the relevant issues and determined that the proposal can be managed in an environmentally sustainable manner, with conditions imposed. Key conditions include requirements for compost management, feedstock controls, and operation within the existing landfill's leachate containment system.
The assessment found that odour impacts are expected to be low due to the nature of the feedstock and the separation distance to nearby sensitive receptors. Leachate generated by the composting process will be contained and managed within the landfill's existing infrastructure, which has capacity to accommodate the additional load.
The proposal has been assessed in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Principles in Section 74 of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994.
This decision and all assessment documents can be viewed at Southern Waste Solutions, Copping Interim Composting Project, Copping Landfill.
Published on:
2/06/2026