PLANNING has begun on a mattress recycling facility for the Ballarat Transfer Station.
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The Gillies Street facility, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2015, was announced last year as a solution to combat mattresses being dumped illegally in Ballarat.
However, City of Ballarat general manager of city infrastructure Eric Braslis said it was still too early to determine if there would be a charge to use the facility.
The cost of disposing of a mattress at the Ballarat Transfer Station is $31.
“Any charge will only be determined once operating costs of the facility are known ... determined through an expression of interest process later this year,” Mr Braslis said.
Former environment minister Ryan Smith committed $209,000 towards the facility last year, with the city to match the funding. Mr Smith said there were 993 mattresses removed from rubbish dumping sites in 2013 at a cost of $30,000.
Mr Braslis said the council was drafting a project plan for the facility that would be completed in coming weeks.
The facility will be developed in consultation with local social enterprises – either Ballarat Regional Industries or McCallum Disability Services.
david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au