Southern Waste ResourceCo - McLaren Vale
Southern Waste ResourceCo (SWR) has operated a landfill on Tatachilla Road at McLaren Vale, and has been on this site since 1993.
On 21 February 2020, SWR sought EPA approval to add per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the list of wastes it is licensed to received. After a rigorous assessment process, the EPA Board determined not to approve the application.
Regulation of litter leaving the site
The EPA is continuing to regulate SWR and is currently aware of community concerns surrounding excess litter on the western boundary of the site. This litter is a result of waste currently being deposit at a level closer to the top of stage 4, cell 3, at the point closest to the road. Southeasterly winds can cause some litter to be blown close to the site’s boundary. All other previously filled landfill cells on the site have been capped with final or interim capping as required by the EPA.
The EPA is in regular contact with SWR and is requiring it to undertake frequent litter collections. SWR has also initiated the installation of an extended litter net system (3-metres high) along the western boundary of cell 3 to help combat the problem. These measures will be monitored for effectiveness in preventing litter escaping the premises, with additional measures required if proving to be ineffective.
The 3-metre high litter net system along the western boundary keeps litter within the site.
The EPA would like to thank residents for contacting the EPA in regard to litter leaving the SWR site. If you have an enquiry or report of a general nature please contact Engage EPA. In the event of an emergency, please contact our 24/7 hotline on (08) 8204 2004.
PFAS landfill licence information
In 2020, SWR sought EPA approval to add per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the list of contaminated wastes it is licensed to receive at the McLaren Vale landfill. The company was entitled to make the application through its existing Development Approval to accept contaminated wastes. The EPA was legally required to assess the application.
On 25 February 2021 the EPA completed a lengthy and rigorous assessment of the information supplied by SWR, after undertaking research internally by qualified EPA scientists, commissioning external research by the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training, and having undertaken significant engagement with the Willunga Basin community.
This application was also assessed against disposal criteria in the PFAS National Environment Management Plan (endorsed by all states, territories and the Australian Government and SA guidelines.
The EPA Board determined not to approve the SWR application to receive, store, treat and dispose of solid waste contaminated with PFAS at its McLaren Vale landfill.
The reasons for the refusal were:
- PFAS being considered a persistent and bio-accumulative chemical of concern that is toxic to some organisms, and highly transmissible in water, with national agreement that special guidelines should apply to its management.
- The unacceptable level of risk, while noting that SWR had proposed best practice engineering measures in its application.
- The nature of PFAS, the uncertainties, and intergenerational considerations highlighted the need for a precautionary approach to the assessment of risk in the assessment of this application.
- To further the environmental principles and objectives set out in the Environment Protection Act 1993.
Background
This site was chosen by a commercial operator, who was eligible to make this application through its existing development approval to accept contaminated wastes. The EPA was legally required to assess this application.
This application was assessed against disposal criteria in the PFAS National Environment Management Plan (endorsed by all states, territories and the Australian Government and SA guidelines.
Community engagement
- Media release, 25 February 2021
- Community update #3, 15 February 2021
- Community update #2, 11 November 2020
- FAQs, updated 8 February 2021
- Invitation to community info session on 30 July 2020
- Community submissions report, June 2020
- Community update #1, 6 April 2020
- Media release, 7 April 2020
Date |
Activity |
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3 April 2020 |
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6 April 2020
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28 April 2020 |
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9 June 2020 |
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18 June 2020 |
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10 July 2020 |
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14 July 2020 |
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30 July 2020 |
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7 August 2020 |
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21 October 2020 |
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11 November 2020 |
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15 February 2021 |
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25 February 2021 |
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Site details and image gallery
The site at Tatachilla Road, McLaren Vale is owned by a private landowner and commercially operated by Southern Waste ResourceCo. Please see map below:
Aerial video of site
Photo gallery
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Landfill cell design
Southern Waste ResourceCo has published a fact sheet about the landfill cell design.
Reports and further information
- Flinders University final report, February 2021
- FAQs updated 8 February 2021
- Landfill disposal criteria for PFAS-contaminated waste
- Environmental management of landfill facilities - Solid waste disposal
- PFAS
- EPA Authorisation #32682
SWR
- Community information sheet, February 2021
- Southern Waste ResourceCo operational information
- Detailed site investigation, 24 November 2020
- Assessment of barrier systems for PFAS containment, 14 December 2020
- Response to community submissions, 21 April 2020
Telephone: (08) 8124 4216
Email