Council is saving ratepayers $1.2 million a year that would have been payable otherwise under the new State Government waste levy.
Local governments are liable to pay the levy on their own construction waste from 1 July.
General manager infrastructure Stuart Randle said a Council-owned site on Steptoe Street had been repurposed to handle earthmoving material such as rocks and gravel.
“The material will be sorted there, mixed and rubbish removed,” he said.
“Most of it will be reused in construction and maintenance projects in one way or another.
“By minimising what goes to landfill we’ll be saving ratepayers an estimated $1.2 million a year.”
Mr Randle said the site had been selected for its suitability and would lessen the need to use another facility in Orr Street, East Bundaberg, which is closer to homes and businesses.
“It’s a small area of land to be used for a temporary purpose while a longer-term solution is found,” he said.
“Council obtained the land several years ago when the Ring Road was built.
“It’s zoned residential low-density and doesn’t require a permit to clear as it’s not considered to be of significant environmental value and doesn’t appear on any State Government mapping.”
Mr Randle said Council would seek appropriate approvals before commencing works on the site.
Mr Randle was responding to requests from community members for clarification of the works.
