Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has conceded it will miss its zero-waste-to-landfill target by 2030 as it considers a Rye landfill extension providing another 16 years of capacity.
Councillors voted unanimously on 10 November to consult the community and investigate the preferred option, which carries an indicative capital cost of $23.5 million.
The decision does not approve construction. However, it marks a change from council’s 2015 decision to pursue waste-to-energy instead of further landfill expansion.
Residents question the impact
In a written question read aloud at the meeting, Fingal resident Liborio Fisicaro challenged how council would balance savings against impacts on neighbours.
“How will council weigh the ongoing distress, loss of amenity and business impacts experienced by immediate neighbors against the financial savings of extending Rye landfill?”
“And what would make these impacts unacceptable, even if extension remains the cheapest option?”
Fellow Fingal resident Sarah Mosley questioned how another 16 years of landfill capacity aligned with council’s commitment to close and remediate the site.
Chief executive Mark Stoermer pointed to the proposed consultation process and said responses to public questions would be provided directly and published online.
Waste-to-energy alternative falls short
The officer report outlines more than a decade of attempts to secure an alternative to landfill.
Council withdrew from a joint advanced-waste-processing procurement in 2022 and accepted its own preferred waste-to-energy tender in February 2024.
However, more than two years of commercial negotiations failed to produce an executed contract, and the procurement was terminated.
Officers cited changing market conditions, project delays and infrastructure uncertainty. The 2030 target had assumed waste-to-energy would be available by then.
Moving the motion, Cr David Gill acknowledged council’s limited choices.
“We’re actually looking at waste disposal where we don’t have great alternatives.”
Gill urged residents to examine all options and question their viability.
Rye landfill extension costs
The current landfill cell is expected to reach capacity in early 2027. Council collects approximately 35,000 tonnes of residual kerbside waste annually.
Once the cell fills, waste will go to external landfills under arrangements running until 2029.
The preferred extension would add one cell west of the transfer station. Officers also assessed full development, providing about 24 years of capacity at an indicative capital cost of $43.9 million, and exporting all residual waste.
The export option has a lower estimated capital cost of $7.3 million but higher annual operating costs: $9.33 million, compared with $6.76 million for either local development option.
Officers identified the 16-year option as the lowest-cost approach overall, subject to further investigation.
Further decision required
Deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro stressed that nearby residents’ concerns needed proper consideration.
“Consultation needs to genuinely test the impacts, alternatives, costs and longer term liabilities. Tonight’s not a construction approval.”
Council will investigate costs, timelines and risks before making a further decision. Its detailed feasibility assessment and long-term financial analysis will remain confidential, with summary figures available publicly.
Councillors also endorsed expanded food organics and garden organics collection provisions. An audit found 39% of general-bin material could be diverted through that service.
That could reduce landfill demand, but council has formally acknowledged its 2030 target will not be met.
