The “substantial cost” of George Town’s upgraded waste transfer station is being treated as a long term investment, according to mayor Bridget Archer.
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The $1.322 million facility was officially opened on Thursday, 22 per cent above the original budgeted cost of $1.08 million.
Cr Archer said the station was an “ambitious project” for the council to undertake.
“It is an impressive facility for a regional council to have,” she said.
“Although it is a substantial cost to outlay, for ratepayers and taxpayers I think the benefits of that will be re-payed in the outcomes.”
Along with a tip shop, the upgraded facility offers free recycling services for glass, cardboard, books, soft plastics, batteries, aluminium, white goods, gas bottles and polystyrene materials.
Using a compressor, up to 2.5 tonnes of cardboard is expected to be transferred off the site every month.
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On Thursday, Tasmanian Liberal senator Eric Abetz described the upgrade as a “win for George Town”.
“The project upgrade supported 10 to 15 full-time positions during construction, with up to three ongoing jobs,” he said.
“As I understand, it will save about 20,000 tonnes of landfill on an ongoing basis.”
Cr Archer said George Town had faced significant issues of illegal dumping and the facility offered an alternative to increased landfill.
“We can only operate a transfer facility here in George Town and the easier it is for people to access and use, the less problem we have with dumping rubbish in the bush,” she said.
“The bottom line is we want to make it as cost effective as possible for people to choose the right alternatives.
“Educating people at the same time, that is the solution.
“It also means less cost to ratepayers in trucking waste through to landfill and much better result for our environment.”
The project was approved as part of the 2016-17 capital works program.
The federal government contributed $350,000 through a National Stronger Regions Fund.
Major works did not begin until seven months after the contract was awarded to Shaw Contracting on June 27, 2016, with an original completion date scheduled for June 30, 2017.
In July, the council approved close to a quarter of a million dollars in further funding to cover minor works, which had not been fully scoped.
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
