Council has reaffirmed its position on Energy from Waste (EfW) solutions and future waste operations following a report tabled at Tuesday's council meeting.
At this stage, Council does not support the development of an incineration EfW facility within Greater Geelong. Instead, the City will continue to investigate innovative technologies and consider the best residual waste options available as local landfills approach the end of their operational life.
This position is in line with Recycling Victoria's circular economy strategy, which directs waste management away from landfills and toward EfW facilities. These facilities are designed to process non-recyclable residual waste using technologies such as gasification, pyrolysis, bio-digestion, and incineration.
Currently, the City disposes kerbside waste at the Drysdale and Wyndham landfills. With the Drysdale Landfill nearing the end of its operational life and scheduled to close in the coming years, all residual waste will need to be transported outside the Greater Geelong municipality.
Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
We support the Victorian Government's direction toward a circular economy and recognise that Energy from Waste technologies – including gasification, pyrolysis, and bio-digestion – will play a role in future waste operations.We have listened to community concerns, and at this stage we don't support an incineration Energy from Waste facility within Greater Geelong.
We'll continue to advocate the Victorian Government for stronger legislation to reduce the use of soft plastics and non-recyclable containers, so residual waste is reduced at the source.
Environment and Circular Economy portfolio chair Councillor Elise Wilkinson
We'll continue exploring the best future waste options that are sustainable and minimise costs to ratepayers.The City's investment in upgrading the Anakie Organics Processing Facility ahead of the rollout of the FOGO green bin service will also help divert more waste from landfill.
Greater Geelong will see the introduction of a food organics and garden organics (FOGO) kerbside green bin service by 2028 as part of the Victorian Government's standardised waste reform.
