Residents will hardly recognise the dramatic changes which will include a weighbridge, recycling areas - and the introduction of fees and charges.

In a special announcement, Parkes Shire Council said it was currently upgrading the Parkes Waste Facility ‘to make it more user-friendly for customers as well as to allow for increased diversion of materials from landfill.’ 

Construction is designed to improve the efficiency, safety and environmental aspects of the tip. 

The upgrade is part of the Waste Management Strategy 2015, which aims to waste less and recycle more.

Improvements include new ground water monitoring stations, construction of a weighbridge, gatehouse building, drop-off centre, road improvements, and signage. 

A comprehensive tree planting program is also planned for the perimeter and surrounding areas.

This will screen operations from roads and nearby residences, as well as provide numerous environmental benefits including native habitat provision and connectivity.

The plantings will also enhance important areas of endangered Grey Box Woodland on site. 

In total approximately 40 hectares of land around the facility will be revegetated with native trees and shrubs. 

The planting program is supported by the Australian Government’s 20 Million Trees Programme (part of the National Landcare Programme) and Parkes Shire Council, who will work with several local community groups including Central West Lachlan Landcare to complete the project.

Local contractors have been engaged to provide materials and labour for the upgrade. 

The construction phase is scheduled for completion at the end of August 2016. 

“Council is always looking to engage as much local content as possible in the delivery of projects and programs to ensure that we are contributing to local businesses and the local economy,” Cr Alan Ward, Chair of the Waste Committee, said.

“Council will soon be going out to tender for a contractor to operate the earthmoving and general site management aspects of the waste facility, and we are hopeful local contractors may also be interested in helping council operate the new facility,” Cr Ward added.

As part of the upgrade, council will also be implementing fees and charges at the site. 

The fees and charges will be applied once the new facility is operational, but will not be significantly different from current fees and charges. 

Many of the waste fees and charges have been reduced to encourage greater diversion of waste from landfill. 

The improvements at the tip will also include a recycling bin bank at the drop-off centre, where specified recyclable material will be free to dispose.  

Separate drop-off storages will also be available for green waste, scrap metal, concrete, masonry, waste oil, batteries and chemical containers.  

Fees and charges will be applied to waste going to landfill (which is becoming increasingly expensive to manage) as well as any processing costs, such as the cost of processing green waste into mulch.

To encourage use of the facility and to ensure residents can dispose of excess waste, council is proposing two free tip days per year and an annual free kerbside pick-up day.  

Council also has discretion to review waste disposal costs in cases of financial hardship and for non-for-profit local community organisations.

The most notable changes to users of the tip will be the supervision of the waste facility. 

A council staff member will be available at all opening times in the gatehouse, 

Waste Operators will also be available at the drop-off centre to supervise and ensure waste is being disposed of in the correct locations. 

The new drop-off centre will be a major improvement, with customers able to drive on sealed ring roads to undercover areas to dispose of their mixed waste and recyclables.

The new weighbridge will ensure that fees and charges are consistently applied and comply with the data requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Protection Licence for the premises.  

Council does not intend to operate the weighbridge as a public weighbridge.

For more information on the upgrade of the Parkes Waste Facility contact Council on 6861 2333 or visit Council's website.