The Eurobodalla Shire Mayor has urged the NSW Government to act quickly after a deal was struck between the two governments to remove bushfire demolition waste from residents' land.
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The council said waste contractors could soon dump fire-affected waste at the shire's three tips, which would be managed and operated by NSW Government contractors for the duration of the clean-up.
"Residents could continue to use Brou and Surf Beach tips normally for now. Demolition waste was currently only being accepted from Laing O'Rourke approved contractors as part of the NSW Public Works Authority trial to examine waste volumes," the council said.
Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes welcomed the deal, but said the slow process had been frustrating.
"Laing O'Rourke are here to start the government-funded clean up with nowhere to put demolition waste," Cr Innes said.
"We helped them to trial waste disposal at our tips to ensure this is a workable solution.
"It's been frustrating, because council first presented a solution five weeks ago.
"I thank our staff for persevering to get this across the line - fire-affected residents don't need more delays.
"I urge the NSW Government to act quickly and bring in the machinery and contractors needed so we can really get this clean-up moving."
The council said Brou landfill, located off the highway between Bodalla and Narooma, would be used for disposal of Eurobodalla's asbestos-contaminated clean-up waste.
Air monitoring, vehicle wash down facilities and specialist staff, plant and equipment were part of the deal.
At Surf Beach tip near Batemans Bay, permission for a three-metre high overtop would create an additional 100,000 cubic metres of landfill, or the equivalent of four years' capacity under normal circumstances.
The council said there was potential for some asbestos demolition waste to be accepted in the second landfill at Surf Beach if required, and only once the fire-damaged cell had been repaired.
The NSW Government would also establish and operate a waste transfer and recycling depot for non-contaminated bricks and concrete at the adjacent Surf Beach quarry.
Council's director of planning Lindsay Usher said the arrangement allowed the bushfire clean-up to take place efficiently while making sure the community's regular waste management needs could be met in the coming years.
"The sheer volume of bushfire demolition waste would deprive Eurobodalla of long-term waste-management capacity," he said.
"We expect to receive seven years' worth of waste in four months."
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He said the extra capacity the NSW Government had made available at Surf Beach addressed this for now.
"However, volumes will be monitored closely and if the amount of waste looks like exceeding agreed site capacities, the deal allows excess to be taken to approved sites outside the shire," he said.
The council said Eurobodalla Shire's third waste management facility, a smaller waster transfer station at Moruya, remained closed due to fire damage.
Green waste and scrap metal would be recycled there once it reopened within the next few weeks.
Council staff will continue to manage Surf Beach landfill for non-bushfire waste and assist contractors at Brou and Moruya.
Residents could continue to use Brou and Surf Beach tips normally for now, the council said.
Mr Usher acknowledged community cooperation would be important while the clean-up is underway.
"There are still things we don't know and it's possible visiting the tip might not but as convenient as usual while we help fire-impacted residents get their properties cleaned up," he said.
"As soon as we have more details, we'll let the community know."
Council staff would continue to manage Surf Beach landfill for non-bushfire waste and assist contractors at Brou and Moruya for the duration of the government clean-up.
Contractor Laing O'Rourke expected to finish most of the clean up by the end of June.
It has been Australia's lost summer. Drought, hail, floods and, worst of all, bushfires have ravaged communities all over the nation. But the selfless actions of friends, family, neighbours, strangers, local groups and volunteer organisations have inspired us and strengthened the bonds of community. Please join us in saying thanks to the heroes of the home front by sharing your stories of gratitude. To salute a person or a group, please use the form below.
