What’s Happening?
Toowoomba Regional Council has completed a $13 million expansion of the Toowoomba Waste Management Centre landfill at Cranley.
The project adds landfill capacity and expands methane gas recovery. Council built two fully lined and engineered cells above previously filled cells. This makes better use of the existing landfill footprint.
The expanded gas recovery network also helps power the nearby Wetalla Wastewater Reclamation Facility.
Why It Matters
The vertical expansion increases landfill capacity within the existing site. Council says this approach costs less than establishing a new landfill and offers better environmental safeguards.
Toowoomba Regional Council Waste Services portfolio spokesperson Cr Melissa Taylor explained the benefits.
“Maximising landfill space by vertical expansion and extension onsite to the west is far cheaper than establishing landfilling operations at a new landfill site and offers better environmental safeguards.”
The new cells contain multiple liners and a drainage aggregate layer. Council says this environmental management system helps meet the conditions of its Environmental Authority.
Local Impact
The additional space will extend the landfill’s life by up to five years before another cell is needed. This estimate is based on current demand.
Cr Taylor encouraged residents to divert more materials from general waste to help preserve landfill capacity.
“Residents can help extend the life of the landfill by continuing to divert as much material as possible from general waste, whether at home or when visiting our Region’s Waste Management Facilities. This helps us work towards Queensland’s waste reduction targets while reducing future costs for Council and ratepayers and improving environmental outcomes.
The expanded gas recovery network also continues supplying electricity to the nearby Wetalla Wastewater Reclamation Facility.
By The Numbers
- Around 500,000m³: Additional airspace created by the two new landfill cells.
- 30,000 tonnes: Clay repurposed from onsite stockpiles. Council also sourced more than 30,000 tonnes of gravel and rock from local quarries.
- 70% to 80%: The share of Wetalla’s power requirements supplied by the landfill gas recovery network.
Zoom In
The project involved installing multiple liners within each cell. Cr Taylor compared the system to a giant bin liner above a drainage aggregate layer.
Council used clay from onsite stockpiles and gravel and rock from local quarries for various earthworks.
Specialist firm Hazel Bros completed the project. Designers ATC Williams and Toowoomba civil engineering firm Titus Civil Engineering provided support.
The expanded network collects gas from decomposing organic waste in the new and existing cells. Queensland firm LGI works with Council on the gas recovery project.
Zoom Out
The latest works form part of a progressive six-stage expansion planned over 20 years. The program uses the current landfill footprint.
Cr Taylor outlined the history of the staged development.
“This latest, two-cell, vertical expansion project is part of a progressive six-stage expansion planned at the site over 20 years on the current landfilling footprint. Work on stage one, which was the first vertical expansion project in Australia, was completed in late 2017. The second cell was opened in 2022.
Council also identified a possible extension west of the existing landfill operation at Hermitage Road. It said this expansion has the potential to extend the facility’s life.
What To Look For Next?
Council’s six-stage expansion program provides the longer-term framework for the Cranley landfill.
Meanwhile, the expanded gas recovery network continues supplying power to Wetalla through a 1,000-kilowatt gas-fired generator.
“In addition, the new cells have expanded the gas recovery network that continues to supply between 70% and 80% of the power needed to run the nearby Wetalla Wastewater Reclamation Facility via a 1,000-kilowatt gas-fired generator,” Cr Taylor said.
“This project, which collects gas produced by the breakdown of organic waste within the new and existing cells, is run in conjunction with Queensland firm LGI.”