The establishment of the Mt Kuring-gai Materials Handling Facility has enabled Hornsby Shire Council to reuse a majority of its excavated hardfill material generated from the maintenance and improvement of various Council works.
Located in Sydney’s north, Council generates around 23,000 tonnes of hardfill waste per year from its infrastructure, construction and maintenance. With much of this waste being reusable, Council set up a central facility for stockpiling, separating, sorting and sieving the hardfill. The Mt Kuring-gai Materials Handling Facility was established in 2000 and is used exclusively for Council’s own works.
“Operations at our previous stockpile site achieved a recyclability rate of 43 per cent of recovered materials, whereas the new facility has increased to 80 per cent,” said Council’s Manager Engineering Services Branch, Peter Powell.
To satisfy environmental concerns, the facility features controls including acoustic fencing and a dust suppression system.
“The dust suppression system is activated by a weather station and uses stormwater runoff recycled from on site water retention ponds,” said Peter Powell.
Extensive community consultation was carried out by Council, with open days being held prior to the submission of a Development Application for the facility, and following its completion.
“Councillors and residents observed demonstrations of operational activities, such as material sieving and dust suppression,” Peter Powell said.“Visitors were also provided with a brochure detailing the environmental controls and operational information associated with the facility.”
For further information, contact Peter Powell on (02) 9847 4822.
