Westbury Waste Depot Closure – a letter to residents from Mayor Johnston

To the Residents of Meander Valley,

Meander Valley Council is committed to responsible and cost-effective waste management services that meet modern environmental standards. As part of our long-term waste strategy, Council has made the difficult decision to close the Westbury Waste Depot (Cluan landfill) on Sunday 29 June 2025. We understand changes like this can raise concern and frustration, so we want to be open with you about why this is happening and what it means for current users of the Westbury site.

Why is the Westbury landfill closing?

Quite simply, it’s almost full and to maintain the facility would require many millions of dollars of investment from Meander Valley property owners. In a few years time our Deloraine landfill area will also be full, at that time Council will be transitioning to a regional waste model, which is already used by most Tasmanian councils. Under this model we will transport our waste to larger, modern landfill facilities that are more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.

Why not just build a new landfill?

After careful investigation and advice from several independent consultants, it was found that building a new landfill in Meander Valley with a service life of 70 years was estimated to cost ratepayers over $475 million–a cost that would need to be passed on to residents. Costs of a new landfill would have included construction, daily management and closure costs, but also modern landfills must meet strict environmental regulations for:

• Leachate management (the contaminated water that leaks from the landfill must be contained and treated).
• Gas emission controls (methane and other gases that are released as waste breaks down, which can harm our environment if not properly captured and managed).
• Long-term site rehabilitation (ensuring the landfill is properly closed and maintained for thirty years after it is closed, including land restoration, monitoring and preventing ongoing impacts).

The cost of establishing a new landfill is unreasonably high when compared to the approved regional waste model. We are conscious of keeping our rates and charges affordable and operations efficient, for all Meander Valley residents. Transitioning to a waste transfer station model and utilising large regional facilities for our landfill needs offers a more cost-effective and environmentally responsible solution. Community members will continue to be able to dispose of their household waste at an upgraded, local facility at Deloraine.

What does this mean for users of the Westbury facility?

Our Westbury landfill will close on Sunday 29 June 2025, after 35 years of operation.

Deloraine Waste Facility will then increase its operating hours to seven days a week, starting 30 June.

An upgraded and modernised Waste Transfer Station at Deloraine will commence construction in 2025, where the community will continue to be able to drop off their household waste. Our new weighbridge will be fully operational from 1 July 2025.

Once Deloraine’s landfill area is full, it will be rehabilitated and our waste from the transfer station will be transported from the Deloraine Waste Depot to a regional landfill at Latrobe or Launceston.

Additionally, residents can continue to use our waste transfer station at Mole Creek, as well as a number of other waste disposal facilities in adjoining council areas, such as Exeter, Longford and Launceston.

Looking to the Future

Council is committed to reducing waste going into landfill and improving services through:

• Investigating expanding the kerbside bin services where it is in-demand from residents and affordable to achieve.
• Investigation into expanding the FOGO (Food Organics & Garden Organics) kerbside bin service to more areas.
• Enhancing recycling programs.
• Upgrading our waste transfer stations facilities to be more modern and user-friendly, no more driving to the tip face.

For more details, including costs, environmental considerations, and alternative waste disposal options, click here.

If you have any additional questions, please contact us by email at waste@mvc.tas.gov.au

Responsibly managing waste is a challenge faced by every community and your support for our necessary changes will help to enhance our environment in the future. Together, we’re ensuring Meander Valley remains a cleaner, greener place to live for generations to come.

Kind Regards,

Wayne Johnston
Mayor, Meander Valley Council