Minister releases recommendations for future operation of Atlas waste disposal site

7/7/2000
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today released the Morgan Report on the Atlas Waste Disposal Site in Noranda.
The report recommends that Atlas be granted a licence to operate a secondary waste treatment plant to deal with household waste from the City of Stirling.
It also recommends that conditions be placed on the licence in respect of odour, dust and leachate control and further recommends landscaping be developed at the site.
The report was compiled in consultation with community representatives, the Department of Environmental Protection, the City of Stirling and Atlas Group.
"The Government supports the diversion of waste from landfill for recycling, composting and energy generation," Mrs Edwardes said.
"Atlas Group has invested in secondary waste treatment technologies to make this possible. However, such waste treatment should not be at the cost of odour and dust impacts on nearby residents.
"To ensure these impacts are minimised, the Government will consider the report's recommendations and their implementation.
"As recommended, a licence will be issued to Atlas for the operation of the secondary waste treatment plant for the sorting of 70,000 tonnes of Stirling household waste.
"Baled waste is to be disposed of at Eclipse Resources in Flynn Drive, Wanneroo and it is recommended by the report that the transfer cost be paid from the Waste Management and Recycling Fund.
"Odour, dust and leachate control and post-closure monitoring will be covered by licence conditions. A landscape plan needs to be developed between the City of Stirling, the community and Atlas.
"Licence security will enable Atlas to undertake further research into energy generation from waste.
"An audit certificate system similar to the draft Contaminated Sites Compliance Auditor Accreditation Scheme has been recommended to independently monitor licence compliance in Western Australia with the costs borne by licensees.
"This recommendation has merit but a further examination into how it would operate needs to be undertaken."
Mr Harry Morgan, a businessman who has headed negotiation teams around the world, was appointed in May to consult with all stakeholders in an attempt to reach a consensus on the operation procedure for the Atlas waste management site.
Media contact: Steve Manchee on 9421 7777