Skuthorpe earmarked for new rubbish tip

A 201ha parcel of dirt about 30km out of Broome has been earmarked as a potential alternative to the town's bulging tip which is reaching the end of its life.

In a race against time, the Shire of Broome has been desperately searching to find somewhere before the current site reaches capacity in about four years.

Land near the waste water facility at Crab Creek was originally proposed but ruled out due to several factors, including its vicinity to a potential new airport and the associated risk of bird strike.

A swathe of land off McGuigan Road was discussed but shelved as possible contamination issues emerged about the primary water supply for Broome.

The latest alternative for a regional resource recovery park, off Broome Road at Skuthorpe, is owned by the Department of Lands and is not subject to native title.

If it was chosen, a waste transfer station would be needed closer to town to take small rubbish loads.

Commercial operators would be required to dispose of waste at the RRRP.

A report to the Broome Shire Council from engineering services director Michael Dale said it was important to note the new site was 9km outside the public drinking water supply area, 15km from the proposed Broome Airport and located north of the future flight path.

He said the State Department of Environmental Regulation had no objection to a RRRP being located at Skuthorpe but recommended a 500m buffer between waste disposal areas and sensitive land uses and 150m for single residences.

Mr Dale said sensitive land issues were limited to the Roebuck Roadhouse about 700m from the south-eastern corner of the site and the Nature Base Caravan Park, 1800m from the south-western boundary.

"A desktop check has been undertaken on the Skuthorpe site and there are no registered endangered communities of fauna or flora on the site," he said in the report.

"However, more detailed studies will be required to verify this."

Shire president Graeme Campbell said a RRRP would reinforce the existing kerbside recycling process in Broome and allow for better segregation of items such as glass, cardboard, aluminium and paper.

"The aim is to minimise the amount of transfer material to landfill, which would occur at the RRRP site," he said.

He said a transfer station would also be needed because of the distance to the proposed RRRP.

Mr Campbell said additional household waste would be accepted on a segregated basis at the transfer station.

"It is envisaged a tip pass system would be put in place for the transfer station and fees could apply," he said.

Mr Campbell said the council was "very excited" to be making progress and would now begin a process, including site investigations and public consultation.

He estimated it would take at least four years to obtain the necessary permission and permits from government departments for the waste facilities.