Sunbury Landfill will officially begin the three year process to cease operations and permanently close, following a Hume council announcement on January 17.
Council said the decision was made following a period of assessment around the landfill’s long-term future and will have no impact on residents, as the landfill is exclusively used by commercial account holders.
The landfill stopped accepting waste in July 2023, following the move from contractor to council employed resources.
The closure was originally scheduled to happen by 2030, which is in line with the state government’s aim to divert 80 per cent of material away from landfill, council said.
The target has seen a number of initiatives introduced and adopted by councils across Victoria, including the Food Organics Green Organics (FOGO) waste system and implementation of the Circular Economy Councils Fund.
Since it stopped accepting waste, council sought strategic advice on the viability of running the site into the future.
The feedback suggested the tonnes of waste typically received by the landfill will be drastically reduced in the coming years.
This is due to a growing push towards a circular economy that encourages recycling, and increasing strategies to divert material away from landfill.
The Sunbury Resource Recovery Centre, including the Recycled Goods store, remains operational for residential and public use.
There are also no changes or impacts to the kerbside garbage collection services for residents as a result of the closure of Sunbury Landfill.
