A business case for a FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) Facility at Buttonderry Tip will remain confidential and councillors will continue to discuss a public partnership at the next Environment and Planning Committee meeting on July 1.
And before then, a previous feasibility report and the decision of the Central Coast Council Administrator from May 2024 will be circulated to all Councillors.
The majority Liberals and Team Central Coast councillors didn’t have the numbers at the most recent meeting of the committee, which failed to adopt a motion to proceed with expressions of interest from businesses.
Both Councillor Rachel Stanton and Mayor Lawrie McKinna apologised for not being able to make the meeting, held on Tuesday, June 10.
Only councillors John Mouland and Doug Eaton voted to try to proceed with an Expressions of Interest for a FOGO facility project as a Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) contract delivered via a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
It was voted down by councillors Sharon Walsh, Margot Castles and Jane Smith.
A BOOT delivered by a PPP requires assessment by the Office of Local Government (OLG) prior to proceeding.
The rejected recommendation outlined a development of at least 100,000 tonne p/a In a Vessel Composting FOGO Facility constructed at Council’s Buttonderry Waste Management Facility.
Under new State Government legislation, the tip is required to manage and process food and garden organic materials from households and businesses within the Local Government Area.
Increasing the region’s processing capacity for organics and the availability of a FOGO service is a key initiative of Council’s Resource Management Strategy 2020- 2030 and aligns with the Protection of the Environment Legislation Amendment (FOGO Recycling) Bill.
The proposed facility will divert a significant proportion of food and green waste generated in the area, helping to reduce methane generation and extending the current landfill lifespan.
It will produce compost, supporting circular economy objectives by recovering organics and using them beneficially to aid in soil health and plant growth.
Economic benefits are expected from local employment opportunities arising during both construction and operations over a 20-year term.
The report to the committee said it expected the introduction of a FOGO service will increase the cost of the Domestic Waste Charges for ratepayers.
“However, during the engagement undertaken to develop Central Coast Resource Management Strategy 2020-2030, feedback indicated that the community was willing to pay more for increased waste diversion and services,” the report said.
“ Whilst the exact cost of the future FOGO service cannot be determined until after the EOI and tender stages, the increase indicated by other FOGO services is shown to be within the $50-$100 per year per rateable property.
“At this stage Council has sufficient restricted reserves to reduce financial impacts on ratepayers, and subject to tender outcomes, further details of how the restricted reserve may be utilised will be provided.”
Earlier this year, council staff pushed back against a councillor-led proposal for expressions of interest for the development of Buttonderry Waste Management Facility.
The Economic Development Committee met on April 1 and recommended Council call for a comprehensive briefing paper on Buttonderry with a view to seeking expressions of interest (EoI) for the future development, operation and income generation of the site.
The committee noted: the shortage of landfill sites in Greater Sydney; over $30M paid annually to the state for garbage tax; and the strategic significance and value of Buttonderry with an estimated value exceeding $2B.
But the staff said they were busy organising the planned introduction of FOGO as per State Government legislation.
It must be introduced by 2030.
The matter will be tabled again at the next committee meeting.
Merilyn Vale
Be the first to comment on "FOGO plan with business under consideration"