Project Update - September 2011

Summary: EMRC Council resolved on 18 August 2011 to reduce the technology options for the proposed Resource Recovery Facility to anaerobic digestion and gasification, eliminating pyrolysis and combustion as possible options. Council also endorsed the final version of the Community Partnership Agreement and thanked the Community Task Force for their efforts in preparing the document.

EMRC Council has decided to limit the technology options for the Resource Recovery Facility to anaerobic digestion and gasification, eliminating pyrolysis and combustion as possible options.

The decision was based on information received from acceptable tenderers during and after the Expressions of Interest phase, preparations for the environmental impact assessment and community engagement feedback and advice from the Environmental Protection Authority during the preparation of the Public Environmental Review.

As a result of these changes, EMRC now anticipates completion of the Public Environmental Review later this year for release for public comment in January 2012. A final decision on the technology to be used will be made after the tender process in late 2013.

For further information please visit the technology options page.
 

The Community Task Force (CTF) was formed in July 2010 to develop a Community Partnership Agreement (CPA) and comment on tender evaluation criteria in relation to the development and performance of the proposed Resource Recovery Facility. The CTF, which works on behalf of and in consultation with the broader community within Perth's Eastern Region, is made up of eight community representatives, and two EMRC members. The CTF has met regularly since August 2010.

A major role for the CTF is to develop a CPA to ensure that the construction and ongoing operation of the Resource Recovery Facility (RRF) at the Red Hill Waste Management Facility is undertaken in alignment with community expectations.

The CTF developed a draft CPA in early 2011 and sought regional community comment on the draft for seven weeks during April and May. The resulting feedback from community has now been considered and the CPA has been adjusted where the CTF thought this was necessary.

At its meeting on 18 August 2011, EMRC Council endorsed the final version of the Community Partnership Agreement and thanked the Community Task Force for their efforts in preparing the document.

What is included in the CPA?

The final version of the CPA is based around goals and objectives for the construction and operation of the RRF together with possible indicators for each of the objectives. The goals are:

• Goal 1: Ensure strong community involvement and communication;
• Goal 2: Enhance community education and waste recycling;
• Goal 3: Ensure prudent financial performance and long-term viability;
• Goal 4: Achieve high quality operations and monitoring;
• Goal 5: Minimise the impact on human health and the environment; and
• Goal 6: Provide attractive landscaping and site aesthetics.

How will the CPA be used?

The CPA will form part of the tender documents which tenderers will have to address. Long-term, the document is meant to provide indicators through which EMRC and RRF operators can benchmark the RRF performance on agreed social, environmental and economic outcomes, and report these back to the community.

CTF commences work on tender evaluation criteria

In parallel with development of the CPA, the CTF have also been involved in providing comment on the draft tender evaluation criteria provided by the project team. These criteria were included in the community forum programme held on 18 September 2010 which generated significant comment and the CTF have used this feedback as guidance in commenting on the draft criteria. The CTF will recommend changes to the draft tender evaluation criteria for consideration by the project team in the development of the tender document.

To view the CPA, please go to the Community Task Force page.