Thirty-five landfill sites across regional NSW will be closed or upgraded under a $5.9 million funding package for local councils.
The NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says the move is necessary with Greater Sydney expected to run out of landfill by 2030.
The projects were approved under the latest round of the Landfill Consolidation and Environmental Improvement Program, which helps councils upgrade outdated waste sites.
Agency executive director of programs Alexandra Geddes says the program takes aim at long-standing challenges facing councils such as illegal dumping, contamination, odour and dust.
“14 high-risk regional landfills can now be closed and rehabilitated and 13 new transfer stations designed, upgraded or built to increase recycling,” she says.
“These projects are about protecting our communities, giving councils the tools to manage waste more effectively and meeting updated environmental standards.”
“Regional and remote areas face unique waste challenges, and this funding will deliver practical improvements from the Northern Rivers to the Murray region,” Geddes says.
LANDFILL PROJECTS
Projects in areas like Dubbo, Armidale and Lismore include sealing unlined landfills that are ready to be closed, upgrading transfer stations and commissioning experts to advise on future waste planning.
The EPA says the program was also opened to help councils and regional waste groups work on cost-effective waste and recycling solutions.
Geddes says the initiative adds another layer of assistance for councils.
“Upgrading infrastructure and investing in regional collaboration is not just important, it’s urgent. This is part of the long-term solution we need across NSW.”
Up to $500,000 per project is available to support shared planning and procurement of new services and infrastructure.
Applications are open until June 2027 or until the funding is allocated. Click here to apply for funding.
Councils that will get money under the latest funding round are Armidale, Blayney, Blue Mountains City, Brewarrina, Central Darling, Coonamble, Cowra, Dubbo, Dungog, Forbes, Gilgandra, Kempsey, Lachlan, Leeton, Lismore City, Lithgow City, Liverpool Plains, MidCoast Council, Moree Plains, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narromine, Oberon, Orange City, Parkes, Uralla and Wagga Wagga.
Click here for more details about each project.
ILLEGAL DUMPING FUNDING
The EPA says $1.2m in grant funding is available to help councils fight illegal dumping.
Funding is available for deterrent measures such as fencing and barriers, site clean-ups, education and behaviour change campaigns, surveillance and enforcement tools.
Geddes says $2.83m has already been handed out to 36 applicants with grants ranging from $20,000 to $200,000.
“These grants help organisations take action, making a real difference by preventing illegal dumping before it occurs,” Ms Geddes said.
“We’ve seen great results in places like Bathurst and the Shoalhaven, where previous funding improved monitoring and helped deter repeat offenders through innovative design and technology.”
The EPA says that dumping around Bathurst halved after council was given more than $117,000 to install solar-powered mobile cameras and community signage at known hotspots.
Shoalhaven City Council was given $76,000 after it had recovered 450 tonnes of illegally dumped waste from public land over two years.
The money will help council to collaborate with NSW government agencies such as National Parks and Wildlife Service and Crown Lands, to run campaigns and install gates, bollards, signage and CCTV cameras.
