Broome Council approves integrated site for new RRRP

Published on 30 April 2021

After almost a decade searching for an appropriate location, the Shire of Broome Council approved an integrated site for a new Regional Resource Recovery Park (RRRP) on Thursday evening.

Given the current landfill at Buckleys Road is fast approaching the end of its operational life, it is critical that Broome finds a new location for the RRRP.

The project will be made up of a Community Recycling Centre (CRC), best-practice Class III landfill and liquid waste components, as well as supporting site infrastructure.

Over a six-week public consultation period from February 15 to March 29, the community had an opportunity to provide input on whether the RRRP would be:

• Development Option One: An integrated facility, featuring both the CRC and landfill, at Site D2 – which is located 12km northeast of Broome on Cape Leveque Road.
• Development Option Two: A network facility, with the CRC at Site D2 and the landfill at Site G1 – which is located 38km northeast of Broome on Great Northern Highway.

Councillors voted 4-2 in favour of Development Option One, taking the Project Team’s extensive investigations and community feedback into consideration.

The Shire will now seek all relevant approvals applications for the RRRP, develop a draft funding strategy for the project and commence detailed design services. Opportunities for ongoing engagement with the Broome community will continue as the project progresses.

Shire of Broome deputy president Desiree Male said it was an historic and vitally important decision.

“The amount of time and effort put in to find an appropriate site for the RRRP has been considerable and we’ve had a thorough Community Review period to hear from Broome residents and stakeholders,” she said.

“The majority of the community feedback was that residents were happy with the work the Project Team has undertaken to date and Site D2 was the preferred location for an integrated facility.

“I’m delighted that we’ve got to this point and it is now essential that we move quickly to lodge the relevant approvals applications, develop a funding strategy and move towards the detailed design phase.

“The new RRRP will secure our town’s waste needs for the next 70 years and provide an opportunity for Broome to embrace improved environmentally-friendly habits, reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill as a result.”