The Geelong Resource Recovery Centre and Transfer Station (GRRC) on Douro Street will be transformed into a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility, designed to meet the region's needs over the coming decades.
The former GRRC, which was initially built in the 1970s, has been closed to the public since March 2025.
After careful consideration and expert analysis, we have determined that the best course of action is to invest in a new, purpose-built facility designed with best practices in mind, given that fixes to the current structure would be costly and short-term in nature.
This announcement brings forward existing plans for the future of the centre, and funding was already allocated in our budget for a new facility.
While construction of the new GRRC is underway over the coming years, a temporary site will open near Douro Street from late September for drop-offs.
Operated by GDP Industries, the pop-up site will initially accept cardboard, polystyrene, e-waste, gas bottles, car and truck batteries (wet cell), which were the most common items received at the former GRRC.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
The former Douro Street facility was never purpose-built as a recycling centre back in the 1970s.It's clear that over the past 50 years, construction, recycling and resource recovery have come a long way.
While plans were already underway for a new centre to replace the Douro Street facility as it reached the end of its life, these plans can now be brought forward to build the world-class facility that Greater Geelong deserves.
This is a big project, and it will take time, but we know it's absolutely going to be worth it when the new GRRC opens.
Environment and Circular Economy portfolio chair Councillor Elise Wilkinson
We didn't want to see short-term fixes that would be costly and create uncertainty for the community.This is about doing this work once and getting it right, ensuring that we have the capabilities for recycling and resource recovery that follow the best international practices as our region grows.
In the meantime, the most common waste streams that we saw at GRRC will be able to be dropped off a couple of streets away.
The location and opening date for the temporary facility will be announced closer to the anticipated opening in September.
