Mugga Lane landfill getting two new cells by 2031
Two new landfill cells planned for Mugga Lane despite the ACT's 90 per cent waste diversion target.
The ACT government is adding Cell 5 and Cell 6 to Mugga Lane resource management centre. It's the territory's only operating putrescible landfill.
Designs are due by May 2027. Construction will start in 2031 subject to ACT EPA approval.
The expansion is part of a long-term plan to eventually have 10 cells at the site. The ACT says the growth is needed to handle population increases.
However, the territory currently recovers only 65 per cent of its waste. This falls short of its 90 per cent diversion target.
Legacy waste cells at Mugga Lane continue to generate leachate. The government is now assessing environmental risks and treatment options.
- 65 per cent
- Current waste diversion rate
- 90 per cent
- ACT waste diversion target
- May 2027
- Design completion deadline
- 2031
- Construction start
Why it mattersGrowing landfill capacity contradicts the ACT's waste reduction goals and extends reliance on burial over recycling and recovery.
AustraliaCanberra residents will continue sending large volumes of waste to landfill for years, despite the government's stated commitment to divert most of it.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 5 d ago
