This video shows a timelapse of the cell construction at Cedars Road, captured between February 2023 and May 2025.
New Year, new cell
Bundaberg Regional Council is starting 2026 with a major step forward in sustainable waste management, unveiling a newly constructed landfill cell at the Cedars Road Waste Facility.
Cedars Road landfill, while not accessible to the public, is where waste from the region’s household wheelie bins is disposed of.
The project represents years of planning and industry-leading engineering designed to protect the environment and extend the life of the region’s landfill capacity.
Design work for the new cell began in 2019, with construction commencing in August 2023 and completed in late 2025.
Engineering excellence behind the scenes
The new cell incorporates advanced engineering techniques to manage one of the most critical aspects of landfill operations: leachate management.
Leachate is water that becomes contaminated as it passes through waste.
Water, Waste and Renewable Economy portfolio spokesperson Cr Jason Bartels said preventing leachate from entering the surrounding environment was essential for compliance and environmental protection.
“One of the most critical aspects of this project was leachate management,” he said.
“The multi-layer liner system Council has implemented is designed to protect groundwater and the surrounding environment, showcasing best-practice engineering in the waste sector.”
The facility’s multi-layered liner system creates an impervious barrier beneath the waste.
This combination of materials and design ensures leachate is contained and treated, safeguarding local soil and groundwater.
“Building a new landfill cell is a complex process that involves years of planning and is implemented through cutting-edge engineering,” Cr Bartels said.
“This investment ensures we meet environmental standards while providing long-term waste management solutions for our community.”
Planning for the future
The lifespan of the new cell depends on how effectively the community reduces household waste.
For reference, the previous cell at Cedars Road took approximately 7.5 years to reach capacity.
With the new cell being larger, it is expected to last nine to 10 years under current waste trends.
Cr Bartels said Council would continue to focus on waste and recycling education to increase the lifespan of the Cedars Road Waste Facility as much as possible.
“All landfills only have a limited amount of capacity but each cell costs millions of dollars to deliver.
“With the addition of the State Government waste levy, which is only going to increase each year, reducing waste to landfill is more important than ever.
“Good recycling practices which lead to less waste to landfill could save ratepayers millions of dollars in the long run which is why we really encourage residents to embrace waste reduction practices in 2026 and beyond.
“Every effort to reuse, recycle and minimise waste helps extend the life of the landfill and protect our environment.”
For more information on recycling and waste minimisation, visit bundaberg.qld.gov.au.
