Extinguishment of the third of four hotspots is continuing with the overall rate of excavation having increased markedly in the three and a half months to Thursday 18 February 2021. During this period 30,597 cubic metres of material has been excavated and treated, compared to approximately 19,000 cubic metres in the four months from 1 July 2020 to the end of October 2020.
The increased rate of excavation is a result of process enhancements proposed by the landfill and approved by the Environment protection Authority. Those enhancements relate to the use of daily cover on the Temporary laydown and the company’s decision on December 23 2020 to suspend the acceptance of new waste until further notice.
Community Forum
The views of residents and talking with our community is important to us, which is why we have letterboxed updates on remediation works, conducted Community Forums and participated in meetings with resident, as well as local and state government representatives since the commencement of remediation works. We will continue to talk with resident and government representatives because we are committed to transparency and openness.
September 2020 Community Forum click here.
December 2020 Community Forum click here.
Remediation – February 2021
As of 18 February 2021 a total of 49,722 cubic metres of material has been excavated as part of works to remediate four localised hotspots at the landfill site. The rate of progress has increased significantly since November of 2020. Discussions with the Environment Protection Authority regarding a proposal to increase the hours of permitted work are continuing. The proposal is to commence remediation works 1 hour earlier each weekday and undertake excavation of treatment from 06:00 to 14:00 on Saturdays in an effort to further increase the rate of work and reduce the overall time needed to complete remediation.
Based on current projections, it is predicted that Remediation Works are likely to be completed by the end of September 2021. This forecast end date is subject to a range of factors including the condition and size of Hotspot 4, what remains of Hotspot 1 and investigations into the condition of ground based infrastructure.
Excavation and treatment of waste is being conducted in line with the Hotspot Remediation Design approved by the Environment Protection Authority.
To view a summary of the Remediation Plan click here.
To view Frequently Asked Questions click here.
Air Quality
Air Quality during the Remediation Works is being monitored through a range of measures and which are approved by the Environment Protection Authority.
Air Quality testing undertaken by Sunshine Landfill is independently analysed, verified and shared with the EPA, which states that “air quality monitoring has found no issues of concern with respect to human health to date and it expects there will continue to be no health impacts.”
A range of factors can influence odour levels beyond the site boundary, including cold temperature inversions, extreme heat, rainfall, and wind direction. They can also be influenced when waste that is buried deeply, is older and hotter is exposed because of excavation being undertaken as part of remediation works.
Air quality is measured against four key substances, which are carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds, which are a group of carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate.
February 2021
January 2021
2020
December 2019
Leachate and Water Discharge
LEACHATE IS NOT DISCHARGED INTO THE MARIBRYNONG RIVER. To view details click here
- Leachate is water that has percolated or ‘leached’ through permeable waste in the active cells within the landfill site.
- Each active cell at the landfill has been constructed with specifically engineered clay liners under EPA auditor requirements. These that are designed to collect leachate in the base of the landfill cells.
- The collected leachate is pumped through a designated pipeline and discharged into an onsite containment pond.
- The containment pond is fully lined with clay and geo-membrane to prevent leakage.
- The system used to capture and contain leachate is totally separate to the system used for groundwater and storm water collection and discharge.
- There is never any mixing of leachates with ground and/or surface waters.
- Leachate levels in cells are monitored and leachate quality is tested on a quarterly basis in line with the landfill’s Risk Assessment and Monitoring Plan (RAMP)
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS HAVE NEVER BEEN BREACHED. To view details click here
- The landfill has an ‘as of rights USE’ to pump water into the Maribrynong River.
- What is pumped into the river is groundwater and surface water runoff and NOT leachate.
- Collected groundwater and surface water is pumped to a main sump and then discharged into the Maribrynong River as required.
- The landfill monitors groundwater and surface water quality onsite as well as at locations both upstream and downstream from the point of discharge into the river.
- The monitoring is undertaken quarterly as part of the landfill’s Risk Assessment and Monitoring Plan (RAMP)
- The groundwater and surface water collection and discharge system is totally separate to the system used to collect and store leachate.
Waste
The Sunshine Landfill DOES NOT ACCEPT HAZARDOUS WASTE. It is licenced to take only Solid Inert Wastes. Construction and Demolition Wastes. Shredded Tyres and Cleanfill.
There is a rigorous inspection protocol applied to the receipt of waste at the site. Trucks delivering waste to the site are subjected to video surveillance and each and every deposit of waste is inspected by a spotter.
Deposits are spread and inspected before delivery vehicles are permitted to leave the site. If any wastes other than those the landfill is licenced to accept are discovered during the inspection, they are reloaded onto the delivery vehicle and taken away.
Sunshine Landfill has always operated in accordance with its licence obligations.
WASTES NOT ACCEPTED at the site comprise Putrescible Wastes Inc Domestic Garbage and Foodstuffs. Green Organic Garden Wastes. Asbestos. Soluble Chemical Wastes. Liquid Wastes or Wastes Containing Excess Free Water. Offensive Wastes. Prescribed Industrial Wastes. 205 Litre Empty Containers (Drums) or Containers that have Contained Prescribed Industrial Wastes. Oil Filters. Whole Car & Truck Tyres. Gas Cylinders. Car Batteries & Rechargeable Batteries. Paints and Solvents. Cool Room/Refrigeration Panels.
The landfill site is not, in any way, accessible after business hours and is monitored by security video to protect against illegal dumping. There has never been an instance of illegal dumping at the site since it began operation in March 2015.
About Us
Sunshine Landfill commenced operation in March 2015 after receiving all necessary regulatory approvals from the Environment Protection Authority.
Sunshine landfill is not licenced to and DOES NOT ACCEPT HAZARDOUS WASTE and has protocols in place to ensure it continuously meets its licence obligations.
The landfill site is subject to video security surveillance.
The landfill site is currently NOT ACCEPTING WASTE as it remediates localised hotspots at the site. Suspension of waste acceptance will remain in force until further notice.