Construction work on a new $8.1m landfill cell has started at the Launceston Waste Centre this week.
The project is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete, with work likely to be paused for a period over the winter months depending on ground conditions.
The new landfill cell will cover an area of 32,000 square meters and will involve the excavation of more than 48,000 cubic metres of earth to a depth of six metres.
The cell will be lined with three layers of synthetic material: a geo-synthetic clay liner, a polyethylene membrane and a geotextile protection layer. These layers are designed to meet the highest environmental standards and to prevent leachate from contaminating ground and surface water.
The layers act together to create an impermeable barrier between the content of the landfill cell and the natural environment.
Once the new cell is complete, it is expected to have a lifespan of around five years.
Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said landfill cells were among the largest and most technically complex projects the Council carried out. "The construction of a new landfill cell is a significant undertaking, both technically and financially," Mayor van Zetten said.
"While this is not the largest landfill cell the City of Launceston has built, we are hopeful of it reaching a similar lifespan to other cells through the waste diversion programs we've introduced in recent years.
"Initiatives like the roll-out of FOGO kerbside bins, the construction of the recycling centre, and the opening of re-use shop Uptipity have all helped to extend the life of our landfill cells, ultimately limiting costs to ratepayers and reducing negative impacts on our environment.
"The City of Launceston will continue to explore new waste diversion initiatives in coming years to encourage re-use and recycling, and to divert resources away from landfill."
The project is part of the City of Launceston's Accelerated Capital Works Program, an initiative of the Community Care and Recovery Package, Tasmania's largest local government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over five years the program will bring forward a range of targeted infrastructure projects across the municipality, aimed at sparking new economic activity and employment opportunities.
The program is designed to be agile, allowing the Council to bring forward necessary community projects, while also weighing demands on the local construction industry to ensure value for money.
