A tender for a new operator at the Ballarat Regional Landfill has been released, as construction on a new $3 million cell continues.
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The new cell is desperately needed - cell H, which is currently being filled with waste from across the region, is expected to reach capacity by September.
Cell I, which is under construction, will have 250,000 cubic metres of airspace in stage one, and 325,000 cubic metres in stage two, according to the tender documents.
The contract for operating the landfill, which is in Smythesdale, is due to expire and must be renewed as part of council's procurement policy - the contract term is six years.
The landfill receives about 60,000 tonnes of waste per year, on average - that's about 90,000 cubic metres once it's placed and compacted.
The new operator will be expected to manage the "operations zone" - - in line with council and the Environmental Protection Authority's requirements.
This includes managing the gatehouse and weighbridge, receipt of waste and airspace usage, and daily covering of waste.
"The Landfill Operator must carry out the Landfill Operations in a way that maximises the value of airspace and is safe and environmentally and financially responsible," the tender documents state."
The documents warn council will expect to recover any liability from the new operator if the EPA issues any infringements or penalties.
There's also an update on "deep burial" for dangerous waste, such as asbestos and dead animal loads - the tenderer must "provide a procedure detailing how this will be managed, and include tracking with GPS".
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"Currently, the deep burial is carried out on one day a week but this is likely to increase to twice weekly during the term of the Contract," the documents state.
Ratepayers will be forking out more money for waste management, according to the 2021-22 budget - a rise of 14.75 per cent will pay for higher EPA and state government fees, and invest in a "waste reserve" for future projects.
The tender closes August 4.
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