Resource recovery: Council pursues $740M eco park
A proposed Hay Resource Recovery and Eco Park initiative is moving ahead slowly, with strong interest being shown.
General Manager, David Webb has been authorised by Council to actively seek potential proponents for stages two, three and four of the park.
Council Staff have developed a concept plan for the establishment of the project, with full development of the park estimated to be $740 million.
“Staff have been approached by various proponents showing interest in both the renewable precinct as well as possible Waste to Energy plant,” Mr Webb said.
“These developments require significant capital investment, most likely from the private section and would be subject to applicable business case studies.
“With a worldwide emphasis on sustainability and circular economy, there is an increased research and development focus on the processing of feedstock and extraction of energy and high-value components from waste materials.
“Economics are favourable when compared to disposal to landfill which is becoming increasingly expensive.
“For example, Sydney councils are now paying $270/tonne for waste disposal.
“The processing of wastes such as plastics, tyres, paints, optical fibres, e-waste and agro-residues as well as extracting chemicals and hydrogen from sold fuels, including biomass, is a growing industry.”
The Hay Resource Recovery and Eco Park concept is to lever off this growing industry, as well as supporting renewable energies.
It has the following identified area/precincts:
• Hay Material Recovery Facility and Composting Facility which are under construction and subject of the current Growing Regional Economies Fund grant application.
Estimated cost for the complete development is $5.7 million and the potential to offer 12 to 16 jobs at full capacity.
• Renewable energy generation zones, including solar, organic and potentially hydrogen is estimated to cost $20-$30 million. Council is currently undertaking a feasibility study on the hydrogen generation.
• Council expects to release industrial land to accommodate the various stages of the project and will also be looking at future renewable energy generation.
Mr Webb said with Hay being located in both the South West Renewable Energy Zone as well as identified in the NSW Government Hydrogen Energy zone, allows for Council to attempt to capitalize on these opportunities.
“A Waste to Energy plant was considered, however, requires significant feedstock volumes of 200,000 to 300,000 tonnes per annum,” he said.
“For comparison, all 11 councils in RAMJO (Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation) produce a total of approximately 100,000 tonnes of recyclable waste a year.
“An alternative is an Organise Waste to Energy system, with several being developed around the world. These are scalable to suit local councils, with some no bigger than shipping containers.
“These systems complement our FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics ) composting facility and is a closed-loop processing system. It is acknowledged that it is very early in the development of the Hay Resource Recovery and Eco Park, and further reports will be brought to Council as it progresses.”
The concept has the full support of Council, with Cr Martyn Quinn thanking staff for their efforts in pursuing the initiative.
