Semi-Automated Waste Disposal System (SAWDS) - Cobargo

Project typeWaste and Recycling
Project value$550,000
Project scheduleIn Progress
Completion Date30 September 2025

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Project background

Bega Valley Shire Council is responsible for providing waste collection and waste management services to its community. These services are highly technical, requiring a carefully considered balance of operational activity, asset management and business administration to achieve the best outcomes for the community. Waste operations are also heavily regulated by the State and Federal governments.

During the Black Summer bushfires of 2019/2020, followed by the COVID 19 pandemic and several extreme weather events, the community and Council were heavily impacted. Among these impacts was the loss of the Cobargo Waste Transfer Station to fire in December 2019. The site was later partially reopened to provide a basic waste and recycling drop-off point for rural customers with no roadside collection. The interim service provides a limited number of 660L general and 1100L recycle waste bins that are collected from the transfer station on a fortnightly basis.

The transfer station operations at Cobargo have for a long time been financially unsustainable. A key benefit of an alternative service is controlling service costs and delivering a financially sustainable waste disposal solution for residents who cannot receive a roadside collection service. The system we are proposing is a semi-automated compactor set up where eligible residents can drop off their waste into a bin that is then collected and disposed of in line with Council waste management plans.

Purpose

The key objectives of this project are:

The development of a trial plan and associated project management documentation, including designs and system specifications.
Community engagement and communications with eligible residents, and other stakeholders.
The procurement of suitable trial equipment
Waste compactors with customer interface and control.
Bin/chute sub-component for equivalent capacity to normal household quantities of waste
Extensive investigation of solar power to its maximum extent, with consideration for mains as a backup or alternate where solar is unsuitable for the compactors, CCTV cameras, lighting, security, and access. Hook lift bins serviceable by existing contractors
Trial and equipment branding, signage, and other communication materials (pamphlets, user manuals etc.)
Training of staff and eligible residents.
Logistics support materials – such as maintenance manuals etc.
The partial re-development of the Cobargo waste transfer station site to accommodate the extent of trial only.

Funding

The SAWDS project is an operational project funded from the Waste Fund. The total revised project budget estimate is $550,000 covering equipment purchase, siteworks, system interfacing, internal salaries (sunk cost), community engagement materials, specialist consultants and minor project administration costs.

Connecton to Council's Community Strategic Plan

This project is connect to Council's Community Strategic Plan through:

C - Our Environment
C.3 - Collaborate with partners and our community to support innovative approaches to waste minimisation and increase reuse and recycling opportunities
C3.2 - Implement and regularly review the adopted Waste Asset Management Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Cobargo Transfer Station be closed during the project?

No. The transfer station will continue to operate during the trial period and be accessible for eligible landholders during daylight hours i.e. 7am – 7pm, 6 days per week.

What works will be carried out?

The site will be upgraded with some earthworks to extend the current hardstand pad for residents to drive through to deposit their waste and recyclables, and for a waste collection contractor to remove and exchange bins.

Site fencing will be repaired with the addition of new fencing where needed. Site access will be incorporated with site lighting and security systems including CCTV cameras.

Solar panels will be installed within the site and each compactor unit will have its own solar power supply to run without the need for mains electricity.

The compactor units and bins will be fitted with fire suppression equipment to protect the technology being used and "back to base” monitoring will provide Operations with real time data to manage the service.

Who can use the new system?

This trial project will be available to residents in the northern part of the shire who do not receive a waste service to their property.

Which community stakeholder groups were consulted and informed about the project?

Northern residents who will be using the new system have been informed and consulted. An information session was undertaken in March 2023 to gather information from affected residents to find out what their requirements were and how best to design a system to suit their needs.