Green and hard waste collection underway.
Cape Byron Power General Manager Anthony Lount stands beside a pile of chipped green waste from the residential clean-up at the Condong Cogeneration Plant.
Tweed Shire Council is turning more than 4,000 tonnes of green waste from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred into renewable energy through a partnership with Cape Byron Power. As part of the Shire-wide clean-up, Council crews are collecting and chipping green waste from suburbs and transporting it to the Condong Cogeneration Plant. Operated by Cape Byron Power, the plant works alongside the sugar mill to generate electricity from biomass – a sustainable energy source derived from organic materials. Council’s Acting Director of Sustainable Communities and Environment Jane Lofthouse said the initiative is helping to manage the significant amount of green waste generated from the Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
“Green waste from the clean-up is chipped either on-site or taken to Quirks Quarry, where it is then transported to the Condong Cogeneration Plant to be used to produce electricity. “While Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre processes green waste and garden organics, the sheer volume of waste from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred exceeds the facility’s capacity. “Since Monday 17 March, the community clean-up has collected around 4,000 tonnes of green waste which is equivalent to the weight of around 2,000 cars. This has demonstrated the need for an alternative solution.” This partnership with Cape Byron Power reflects Tweed Shire Council’s commitment to reduce waste and reuse resources wherever possible. Council already applies circular economy principles in its everyday operations, through the reuse of road materials, parks and gardens green waste and the responsible disposal of coolants, batteries and recycling scrap metals. Cape Byron Power General Manager Anthony Lount said he was pleased they were able to offer a smart, green solution to a local problem. “At Cape Byron Power we pride ourselves on being an innovator in the generation of clean, renewable energy. We are pleased to be working with Council to provide a solution to a problem created by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Our employees and contractors were all impacted by this event so being able to help with the clean up and restoring the beautiful Tweed back to its pre-cyclone condition is important to all of us,” he said.
In turn, Tweed Shire Council appreciates the support of Cape Byron Power on this initiative.
A truck disposing of chipped green waste at the Condong Cogeneration Plant.
Photo 1: Cape Byron Power GM Anthony LountCaption: Cape Byron Power General Manager Anthony Lount stands beside a pile of chipped green waste from the residential clean-up at the Condong Cogeneration Plant.
Photo 2: Green waste at Condong Cogeneration PlantCaption: A truck disposing of chipped green waste at the Condong Cogeneration Plant.
Connection to Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
Stay up to date with Council’s latest news and updates, follow us on social media or subscribe to get all the news direct to your inbox.
Call Virginia Jones on 0429 267 735 or email for all media or interview requests.