The City of Greater Dandenong is one of nine councils from Melbourne’s south east who have worked together to deliver a smarter solution to deal with household rubbish in the future.
Advanced waste processing solutions have great potential as part of a total approach to managing the rubbish we produce. Alongside recycling, and separating green and food waste for composting, advanced waste processing is a smarter solution for household rubbish than burying it in the ground.
South East Metropolitan Advanced Waste Processing Pty Ltd (SEMAWP)
The City of Greater Dandenong, along with the other participating councils, formed a company called South East Metropolitan Advanced Waste Processing Pty Ltd (SEMAWP) that will help councils deliver an advanced waste processing facility for the south east.
Find out more in the Frequently Asked Questions and factsheets below.
Find out about advanced waste processing - 4MB
Waste to Energy Technology - 567KB
Why do we need an alternative to landfill?
Landfills are rapidly filling up, with no more planned to be built. Household waste in Melbourne’s south east is projected to increase by 40 per cent by 2046.
For many councils in the south east, the closest landfill in Hallam is expected to close in the coming years.
Advanced waste processing solutions have great potential as part of a total approach to managing the waste we produce. Alongside recycling, and separating green and food waste for composting, advanced waste processing is a smarter solution for household waste than burying it in the ground.
Initiatives to increase recycling and composting of green organic waste will still be important. The advanced waste processing facility will only process material that cannot otherwise be recycled.
What has happened with the project so far?
After an extensive expression of interest, SEMAWP conducted a competitive tender process with potential development partners who have significant experience in delivering advanced waste processing facilities worldwide.
In July 2024, SEMAWP entered into a Waste Supply Agreement for an advanced waste processing facility located in Maryvale to deliver a smarter solution than landfill for household waste in Melbourne’s south east.
The Waste Supply Agreement is between SEMAWP, Veolia Australia and New Zealand, Opal Australian Paper and Masdar Tribe Australia (together known as Maryvale EfW Project Co Pty Ltd).
Where is the site for the new waste to energy facility?
The Maryvale Energy from Waste (EfW) facility will be adjacent to the existing Opal Australian Paper Maryvale Mill, and the paper mill will utilise the combined heat and power from the EfW facility.
The Maryvale EfW Facility is the most progressed facility in Victoria, having received a Development Licence, Planning Permit and Waste to Energy Licence. The Maryvale EfW Facility has already obtained a social licence to operate and has the support of the local community.
The solution involves council waste being delivered to a transfer station planned for construction in Melbourne’s south east, where it will be prepared for bulk haulage and transferred to the Maryvale EfW Facility for processing and energy and resource recovery.
How much waste will be diverted from landfill?
At least 95% of non-recyclable household waste from nine councils in Melbourne’s south east will be diverted from landfill, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating investment and employment and preserving land for better uses than landfill.
Will the facility recover energy from waste?
The Maryvale EfW Facility will generate energy from the controlled combustion of non-hazardous residual waste materials – waste that would otherwise go to landfill. Following combustion, the facility will capture and convert the released heat into steam and electricity, with sophisticated filtering technology ensuring compliance with stringent emissions standards.
The Maryvale EfW Facility will provide energy as steam or electricity and interchange between the two during its operation, providing improved flexibility and efficiency.
Any excess energy would be fed into the Victorian grid.
The Maryvale EfW Facility is scheduled to be operational by 2029. If there is a delay in the scheduled operational date, Veolia and the Maryvale SPV will provide an interim solution for waste management for the SEMAWP councils, until March 2031.
