EPA gives tick to $16.8m recycling centre revamp

The state’s environmental watchdog has given the green light to a multi-million redevelopment of Recycling Centre Balcatta.

The City of Stirling is planning to revamp the Balcatta Road facility by adding three service areas including free community drop off, a paid and pass community drop off and a waste transfer station.

The revamp is reportedly valued at $16.8 million and aimed to update outdated aspects of the ageing facility, according to a media release issued by the City in 2020.

The proposed revamp was lodged for an EPA assessment for potential impacts on terrestrial environmental quality and disruption to flora and fauna from removal of 17 native trees.

Other potential effects include noise, dust, odour and greenhouse gas emissions from construction and operation, particularly vehicle movements.

However, EPA chair Matthew Tonts said in his determination on Friday that the authority considered the likely environmental effects of the proposal “not so significant” to warrant formal assessment due to the site being already largely cleared, developed and operational.

“The EPA is of the view that the potential impacts of the proposal can be adequately managed through the implementation of the proposal in accordance with the referral documentation, and the proponent's management and mitigation measures,” he said.

"The relevant departments will be notified of the EPA’s decision for this proposal and the EPA’s expectations of the outcome of their statutory decision-making process."

The Recycling Centre Balcatta has been in operation since 1979.