Community help sought to pinpoint Western Resource Recovery Centre site
19 July 2024
The preferred location for a new Resource Recovery Centre in the western part of Ipswich has been narrowed down to three sites, with council now opening community consultation.
Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor Jim Madden said an initial list of 15 sites was submitted to council for further investigation and based on specific selection criteria, a shortlist of sites was generated.
The three options are:
- 94 and 95 Oakleigh Colliery Road, Rosewood (currently the Rosewood Recycling and Refuse Centre)
- Lot 1 and 2, Unnamed Road, Mount Marrow (council owned land)
- 486-516 Ipswich Rosewood Road, Jeebropilly (privately owned land)
“The community’s input will play a crucial role in informing the final decision on the Western Resource Recovery Centre’s location,” Cr Madden said.
Cr Madden explained why the current Rosewood Recycling and Refuse Centre is on the short list when previously it wasn’t an option.
“The Rosewood Recycling and Refuse Centre has served the western community well for more than 30 years. However, in its current state, it will not meet the growing community resource recovery needs,” Cr Madden said.
“The current centre was always too small to upgrade to a fit-for-purpose resource recovery centre on the current site to meet the growing community’s needs. One of the options identifies possible expansion with the land directly opposite the site.
“As part of current investigations, it will be determined if the current Rosewood Recycling and Refuse Centre is suitable for expansion in its current location, or if an alternative site is more suitable.
“In the meantime, the existing facility with the recent upgrades will continue to serve the community until the new Western Resource Recovery Centre is operational.”
Division 4 Councillor David Cullen said Ipswich’s western corridor faces significant population growth, with an estimated 70,000 new residents by 2031.
“To address our community’s rapidly growing need for local and accessible waste services, extensive research and investigation has been conducted to identify the most suitable location for a Western Resource Recovery Centre,” Cr Cullen said.
“Council’s consultants have diligently reviewed over 750 potential locations within the western corridor of the city. This comprehensive assessment included 13 community submissions, 23 council-owned sites, and 734 privately owned properties.
“Following the selection criteria, council has identified the top three sites. We are now inviting feedback from the community regarding these shortlisted locations.”
Cr Cullen said council was working to identify a suitable location that would meet the needs of residents without impacting the community.
“Planning codes, legislation and council policies are all designed to ensure any potential impacts to community and the environment are addressed,” Cr Cullen said.
“Once Council makes a final decision, post community consultation work can commence on any land acquisitions, planning requirements and detailed design.”
“I encourage all residents to take the time to tell council which of these three shortlisted locations they believe is best suited for a new Western Resource Recovery Centre.”
Council officers will be on hand at Rosewood Library on 30 July and 24 August to answer the community’s questions about the future Western Resource Recovery Centre.
Further details on the project are available at Shapeyouripswich.com.au/WesternRRC