Council backs plans for a regional Waste Treatment Plant
May 25, 2016
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is backing proposals for a regional treatment plant which would significantly reduce the level of waste going to landfill in the future and avoid unnecessary costs being passed on to ratepayers across Northern Ireland.
Despite having changed the way Councils manage waste in their local areas, local authorities are unlikely to meet the 2020 target of 50% of household waste being diverted from landfill. Further new legislative provisions are emerging with 65% recycling targets and only permitting 10% of waste to landfill being considered.
Given the current waste infrastructure in Northern Ireland it is difficult to see how these targets can be met.
Failure to meet these targets will mean significant fines levied on Councils which will ultimately have to be borne by the ratepayer., The arc21 Waste Management Group, of which Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is an active member, together with five other local Councils, is currently progressing plans for a £240m private sector investment that would help bring Councils waste treatment into line with European best practice.
arc21’s proposal is to co-locate a Mechanical Biological Treatment plant and an Energy from Waste plant, at the Hightown Quarry outside Mallusk.
The proposals are currently with the Planning Appeals Commission for consideration. Five out of the six arc21 councils including Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council have already voted to support the continuation of the process to a scheduled independent hearing.
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is represented on arc2 1 by three elected Members Ald. James Tinsley, Cllr Owen Gawith and Cllr Luke Poots. In recognising the need for Councils to act both locally in terms of meeting ratepayers needs but also regionally in supporting the need for a strategic waste infrastructure project, Alderman James Tinsley commented:
“This is a crucial problem that requires a regional solution. Independently local Councils can do, and have done, much to reduce landfill waste, through kerbside recycling schemes..
“To put it bluntly, we cannot continue to rely on landfill as a waste disposal option. We recognise there is a massive gap in the system so are planning now to put the proper infrastructure in place to meet the 2020 targets.
“Northern Ireland needs modern waste facilities to manage its waste in a more environmentally friendly and effective manner. The arc21 proposals, which are in line with the policies of both the Northern Ireland Executive and LCCC, will increase recycling rates, generate green energy and reduce the likelihood of environmental crime.
“Given the level of investment proposed, with the creation of jobs, and the boost this could give the local economy, it would be regrettable if this project does not proceed and it was brought to premature conclusion at this stage,” concluded Alderman Tinsley.