The City of Wanneroo is spearheading renewed efforts to expedite the closure of the Tamala Park landfill, driven by ongoing odor complaints from neighboring communities.
City Calls for Swift Action
The council issued a public statement urging that the landfill be shut down "as soon as practicably possible." The facility, operated by the Mindarie Regional Council on behalf of seven member councils, has been in operation since 1991.
Each week, the cities of Joondalup, Perth, Stirling, Vincent, and Wanneroo, along with the towns of Cambridge and Victoria Park, send approximately 4,000 tonnes of household waste to the site. Although the 22-hectare landfill is slated to close in 2029, the recycling center, transfer station, and reuse shop will remain open, serving thousands weekly as part of the state's second-busiest waste management facility.
Mayor Advocates for Change
Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken stated that it is time to consider advancing the landfill's closure as waste management evolves toward reduction, resource recovery, and alternatives to landfill. "The city is planning for a future beyond landfill. Communities rightly expect us to plan for better, more sustainable solutions, and the Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct is central to that vision," she said.
Aitken also intends to request a meeting with Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn to discuss options for hastening the tip's closure. Additionally, the city will engage with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to oppose any applications that would extend the landfill's lifespan.
Future Plans and Community Concerns
The City of Wanneroo's proposed Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct will include a waste transfer station, community recycling center, and materials recovery facility aimed at boosting recycling and material recovery. The precinct also allows for a waste-to-energy facility, though this has faced opposition from residents in Carramar and Banksia Grove. The city believes these initiatives will reduce its dependence on landfill.
Residents in Clarkson, Mindarie, Kinross, Burns Beach, and other nearby suburbs have reported odor issues for years, linked to landfill gas from the Tamala Park site. The smell stems from uncontrolled gas emissions, partly due to high leachate levels, the site's elevation, and wind conditions.
Operator's Perspective
A Mindarie Regional Council spokesperson told PerthNow that while closure is anticipated in 2029, a fixed date cannot be confirmed due to operational and regulatory factors. "This projection depends on factors including waste volumes and necessary approvals. MRC is awaiting approval from DWER for works essential to closing the landfill as planned," the spokesperson said.
Factors influencing the closure date include the rate of remaining landfill airspace consumption, regulatory approval timing, and completion of infrastructure and closure works in line with environmental guidelines. Once the final waste is received, capping and closure should be completed within six months, but odors may persist.
"Once landfill closure is reached, a program of capping and rehabilitation will commence. It will be sealed according to environmentally safe profiles with regulatory approvals. Some landfill gas generation is anticipated, managed through gas collection systems. Odor impacts are expected to progressively reduce over time," the spokesperson added.
