Waste Management Site - 2007 This project aims to contain the Hobsons Bay waste-cycle by processing all waste produced on site, eliminating the large transportation costs generally associated with waste management.
Proposed Site Masterplan, Scale 1:2000
The integrated waste management system creates a closed loop. The energy and heat gained from incinerating the waste is used onsite for further waste processing in the form of pyrolysis. Waste on the site is sorted into categories: recycling (off site), incinerated, sent to pyrolysis or put into landfill directly.
The Altona North Waste Processing Plant and Parkland As each landfill mound is closed off it is reclaimed for parkland.
Implementation Stage: 2008 Showing the landscape before the first mound is created.
Stage 1, 2013
Stage 2, 2023
Stage 3, 2040
Stage 4, 2055
The landfill is broken up into four stages, each one comprising of its own separate and fully contained landfill in the form of a mound.
As time progresses each mound will be reclaimed as parkland for public use and eventually the entire site (except the ongoing waste processing facility) will be an open grassland and wetland densely planted with indigenous plants and shrubs.
The filling is a day-by-day process spread out over a 48 year period. To ensure stability in each mound and the maximum efficiency in use of space the waste is compacted into areas called cells that contain only one day's fill.
The amount of waste within each daily cell is 500 tonnes which is highly compressed using tractors, bulldozers, rollers and graders. Once the cell is made it is covered with a minimum of 30cm of soil and compacted further. Cells are arranged in rows and layers of adjoining cells - "lifts".
Section through landfill mounds, Scale 1:1000.
A large proportion of the rain that falls on the site is absorbed by dense plantings of ground cover. All excess runoff drains down the slope and into the swales. Any seepage into the topsoil is stopped at the waste containment barrier, where it runs down the slope and also ends up in the swales where it flows into the wetland.
Waste Processing Plant and Landfill Mound #4 Combustible waste is converted to heat and electricity for use on site, with excess electricity sold to the grid and heat used for nearby industry. Organic waste is converted into biofuel by the pyrolysis plant for use in the landfill machinery; waste ash from the incinerator is also decontaminated via pyrolysis, then sent to the landfill.
Detailed section of landfill mound #4
Drainage Map, showing the swale system and the direction of flow of runoff The swale system collects water and directs it to a wetland system that treats the runoff before it flows down the creek - at the stage when there is enough runoff, water will be treated and stored onsite for use in the incineration process.
The landfill is completely contained using a barrier system (with an approximate lifespan of 100 years). This eliminates transfer of material into or out of the fill area once it is sealed. The infiltration of water on site is controlled to greatly reduce any risk of disturbing the fill.
Impression of boardwalk through the wetland, with landfill mound to the right and Koroit creek in the background.
Detail of Wetland elements and the filtration process.
Due to the underground elements of this site - ie the buried landfill, the treatment of water across the site has to be very thoroughly resolved. Around half the site is subject to inundation in the occurrence of a heavy storm and so distrubance to the contained material within landfill is avoided by a rigorous water treatment process.
View of the waste processing plant from the reclaimed parkland.
