Weekly update for Eastern Creek site – 8 July 2024

As part of our commitment to provide regular updates to resident and neighbours to our Eastern Creek Recycling Ecology Park regarding works to the landfill gas extraction and treatment system and other site updates, we provide an update below on works foreshadowed in the previous updates on 28 June and note proposed works in the coming months.

1. Progress updates on works noted in 28 June update:

Planning for and extending the network of landfill gas extraction wells is an ongoing and continuous process, and the system requires regular and ongoing maintenance and adjustments to maximise the extraction of landfill gas, including at times taking certain parts of the system offline to allow works or maintenance to be carried out.  

The works noted in the 28 June update were completed ahead of schedule, including installation of 30 shallow gas extraction wells. Both permanent landfill gas flares are operating to treat the extracted landfill gas and a temporary flare is also available on standby.

2. Leachate riser maintenance works on 16 and 17 July:

As foreshadowed in previous updates, including 19 and 28 June, maintenance works to the leachate riser will be carried out at Eastern Creek on 16 and 17 July during operational hours from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. These maintenance works are required periodically to extend the height of the infrastructure as filling progresses and are part of the normal operation of the system to manage water on site.

The sequence of tasks that we will undertake during the extension of the leachate riser are the following:

1. Opening the riser lid and extracting the sump pump.
2. Extending the guiding plastic pipe to projected level.
3. Stacking up protective encasing concrete pipes around the lead plastic pipe.
4. Placing back the sump pump and closing the lid.
5. Reconnecting all designed infrastructure like leachate and gas extraction pipes. 
6. Using cranes to assist with the above works. 

What is BINGO doing to prevent odour during the works?

The landfill gas extraction and treatment system will continue to operate during the works to treat landfill gases extracted from the landfill.

As an additional precaution to further mitigate any potential for odour, BINGO will apply deodoriser solution to the area where the works are being carried out to neutralise any potential odour.   

Please note, in the case of unfavourable weather conditions including high winds, the works will be postponed to a future date. BINGO will provide a notification, if this happens.

3. Additional works taking place around Eastern Creek site in July and August:

We are continuously upgrading environmental controls across the site and to strengthen the existing dust control measures, will be installing four additional dome structures to cover product storage areas in the timber yard in July and August. All works will be undertaken during operational hours from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

From the week commencing 15 July, we will commence construction works for the Landfill Gas (LFG) Power Generation project, which is anticipated to be completed in early 2025. As flagged earlier this year, as part of a 15-year LFG agreement with LGI Limited (LGI), the project will see the installation of a 4 MW renewable energy power station at the Eastern Creek landfill site. This forms an important part of the company’s decarbonisation plan and will help in the production of renewable energy from our landfill.

Additionally, our landfill gas agreement partner, LGI Limited (LGI) will undertake deep drilling works in August to increase the number of gas wells at the landfill to increase extraction capacity. More details about the scope of works, timeframes and odour prevention control measures to mitigate against potential odour as a result of these works will be provided in upcoming updates.

4. Community newsletter and invitation to join Community Liaison Group:

We recently distributed a community newsletter for residents and neighbours near our Eastern Creek operations. Please click here to view the newsletter.

In addition, we noted through the newsletter and a website update on 20 June, that BINGO is progressing a modification to the Project Approval issued by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) in relation to the Eastern Creek Recycling Ecology Park’s Western Operational Area (Modification 9).

BINGO previously engaged with the community and the Department on Modification 9 in 2021, and the proposal was subsequently placed on hold to align with the broader Eastern Creek Recycling Ecology Park master plan priorities. For a summary on this proposal, please click here.

BINGO is also seeking to trial a new Community Liaison Group (CLG) for our Eastern Creek operations. The CLG will be an independently facilitated forum to enable an ongoing and constructive dialogue between BINGO, councils and residents about residents and future planning for the facility.  

We have received expressions of interest from residents and if you live near our Eastern Creek operations and interested in learning more about the CLG or visiting our operations, please contact our Head of Public Affairs, Rommel Varghese at [email protected].

What should I do if I have an issue?

We will continue to provide regular updates to keep the community informed in relation to works being carried out at Eastern Creek.

If community members have any concerns, please call BINGO’s environmental hotline on 1300 032 747 or contact us.