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Life After Landfill – regulatory requirements. Kate Hamer and Thomas Gallasch Waste to Resources, Regulation and Compliance EPA. 27 th September 2007. Welcome. Thank you for inviting the EPA to talk at this forum
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Life After Landfill – regulatory requirements Kate Hamer and Thomas Gallasch Waste to Resources, Regulation and Compliance EPA 27th September 2007
Welcome • Thank you for inviting the EPA to talk at this forum • The presentation aims to provide some guidance to Councils regarding waste management during the implementation phase of the Landfill Guidelines, released January 2007
Outline • Future options for landfill operations • The planning process • Statutory timelines • Transfer station design specifications • Basic design requirements • Licensing requirements • Questions
Future options for landfill operations • Close the landfill and implement a transfer station • Close the landfill, no after use • Close landfill, after use (other than transfer station) • Close the landfill and select an alternative site for the operation of a transfer station • Continue to operation the landfill in accordance with the Environmental Management of Landfill Facilities (municipal solid waste and commercial and industrial general waste), dated January 2007
The Planning Process • A sound planning process with milestones and timelines can not be under-estimated when making any decision regarding future waste management strategies. • The planning process will have the most influence over the success • Should identify limitations • E.g. budgetary • Logistical • Have regard to the requirements, in particular the timelines, outlined in the Landfill Guidelines (2007).
The Planning Process (continued) • Areas for which the EPA has limited regulatory control, but will assist with the planning process include: • Future waste management strategy • Resource recovery and achieving best practice within your community • Expectations of the community • Revision of existing contracts/obligations of existing contracts • Safety • Consideration of costs and other resource implications for closure and/or upgrade of existing facilities • Availability of funding, e.g. for infrastructure
Statutory Timelines • The planning process should take into consideration statutory timelines associated with any future actions: • Section 46 of the Environment Protection Act, 1993 (the Act) requires proposed variations to licence conditions to be given minimum 14 days comment period • New applications require to be processed within 2 months under S42 of the Act • Will advertising be required? • Is a development application and or amendment required?
Transfer Station Design Specifications • No one specification suits all applications! • Design will depend on: • Waste volumes • Waste types • Waste contracts • Recycling • Method of receival (ie private, public, MSW) • Method of removal (ie wheelie bins, roll on roll off) • Climate • Budget
Some Basic Design Requirements • Siting • Separation distances • Infrastructure • Climate • Hydrology • Design • Stormwater management
Some Basic Design Requirements cont. • Design should also address potential environmental impacts: • Visual impact • Noise • Odour • Dust • Vectors • Litter
Some Basic Design Requirements cont. • Reference documents • VIC & NSW- good guidance but need careful consideration of regulatory background as well as definitions that might not be applicable in SA • SA EPA – Environmental Guidelines for resource Recovery and Waste Transfer Depots
Licensing Requirements • Closed Landfills (and no further scheduled activity) • Maintain a licence • No fee associated with the licence • Conditions will reflect the outcomes of the closure and post closure management plan • Closed Landfill & Transfer Station • Site will have 2 separate licences • Landfill will continue to be licensed after closure • New licence number and conditions for the transfer station (fee applies)
Licensing & Other Requirements cont. • Afteruse other than transfer station • E.g. council depots • Afteruse for recreational purposes • E.g. walking track • For all apply: • Consider requirements of closure and post closure conditions of the licence • Consider OHS&W requirements
Conclusion • Plan for your outcomes and consult with the EPA early