Works to resume on recycling facility
Published on 16 August 2024
The construction of the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at West Nowra will resume following a decision of Council to proceed with the contracting of specialist trades.
In March, the contractor responsible for constructing the building entered into voluntary administration, with the project yet to be completed.
At last night’s Council meeting, councillors voted to continue the project through a targeted quotation process.
“This is a significant regional project that will improve our rate of recycling while reducing recycling costs and create employment opportunities,” said Director City Services, Carey McIntyre.
“The development of this facility will enable us to better manage our own recyclable material in-house as well as generate income by receiving materials from across the Illawarra. Ultimately, this project will pay for itself,” Mr McIntyre said.
The facility spans an area of almost one hectare and will have a processing rate of 15 tonnes per hour and an expected annual capacity of 24,720 tonnes of recycling material collected from the yellow lid bins.
The total project cost for the facility and the surrounding infrastructure at the site is estimated to be up to $38 million. Since the project began in 2019, the forecast cost has increased due to escalating construction costs, the inclusion of enabling site works in the project scope, and costs associated with meeting revised building regulations including bushfire regulations.
“There are a number of potential funding options that are able to be investigated, that would provide us with a good return on investment and expedite the completion of this commercial asset,” Mr McIntyre said.
Once complete, funding models will be provided to the elected Council for its consideration later this year.