Maitland Resource Recovery Facility Upgrade

Project Status

Complete

Stage one

September 2023

Current

Stage two

Completion by October 2025

Upcoming

Stage three

Detailed design 2025/26, construction 2026-2028, opening early 2028

Upcoming

Stage four

To be determined

The Maitland Resource Recovery Facility (MRRF) is undergoing a series of upgrades to support our community’s long-term waste needs and strengthen our focus on resource recovery and the circular economy. 

Across four stages, these improvements will ensure the site’s long-term use once landfill space is exhausted in 2028. Stage three, commencing in 2025/26, will include building a new waste transfer station where we can sort and transport waste to other facilities.

When complete, the upgraded MRRF will deliver better recycling options and more sustainable outcomes for our city and its residents, with sorting equipment that can separate waste into different streams and send less waste to landfill.

Project stages

Construction of sealed roads and sealed drop off areas for recyclables to provide an improved experience for customers, particularly during wet weather.
An expanded range of recycling materials accepted onsite to increase resource recovery.
Replacement of inbound and outbound weighbridges and construction of the new weighbridge gatehouse with improved visibility and accessibility.
Road extension and frontage upgrade to accommodate new weighbridge and gatehouse.
Establish septic, power, telecommunications and water services to the top of the site.
Development and scale-up of sediment dam to provide sufficient stormwater and catchment capacity.
Construction of new transfer station designed to maximise resource recovery, improve traffic flow, and enable bulk transport of waste to other facilities.
Infrastructure that ensures long-term access to waste disposal and recovery services in the Maitland local government area after landfill space is exhausted (expected in 2028).

In stage three, we'll see a new transfer station built at the Maitland Resource Recovery Facility.

Our landfill at the waste facility on Mount Vincent Road will reach capacity in 2028 – meaning we need a long-term solution for managing, transporting and appropriately processing all of Maitland’s waste streams.

Detailed design on the waste transfer station will run throughout 2025/26, with construction expected to kick off towards the end of 2026.

We’re approaching the home stretch on stage two improvement works at the waste facility, with the new gatehouse and inbound and outbound weighbridges now in place. A new entry roundabout, fencing and pavement works, along with demolition of the old gatehouse and weighbridge, will bring stage two of the project to a close in October.

We're making progress on a raft of upgrades at the Maitland Resource Recovery Facility, with new inbound and outbound weighbridges to be installed alongside the new gatehouse.

Once complete, upgrades to the frontage and an extended roadway will improve access to the facility and reduce the likelihood of visitors needing to queue out the gate and onto the 80km/h Mount Vincent Road, vastly improving safety for motorists.

Visiting the Maitland Resource Recovery Facility on Mount Vincent Road is now quicker and easier thanks to sealed roads suitable for 2WD vehicles, colour coded recycling drop off bays, an adverse weather mixed waste drop off bay, and new wayfinding and instructional signage. These changes also mean the site will be less impacted by rain, leading to fewer unexpected closures throughout the year.

Frequently asked questions

When complete, the revamped Maitland Resource Recovery Facility will have improved capability for resource recovery, a stronger focus on circular economy principles, and move us towards our aim of shaping a more sustainable Maitland.
Landfill airspace at the waste facility is nearing exhaustion; the recent and planned upgrades at the site will allow it to remain open long into the future, by prioritising resource recovery and more effectively redirecting waste into the appropriate disposal and recycling destinations.
Our Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2030 targets an 80 per cent diversion rate from landfill by 2030, and this work will allow us to take large strides towards reaching that target.
The transformation reflects what our community told us matters most; improved customer experience, more options for recycling, and the delivery of a modern waste service that supports a more sustainable Maitland.
We are currently on the final landfill lift at the waste facility site; we estimate that landfill will reach capacity in 2028. Site constraints mean we’re unable to create new space for landfill or expand the landfill footprint.
This is why it’s important to complete this work, so that we’re prolonging the lifespan of the site once landfill has been exhausted, and we’re redirecting waste to the appropriate disposal and recycling destinations long-term.
In short, we found there is a lack of land in a suitable location in the Maitland LGA that would be unaffected by flood, which is an important factor for any potential landfill site. Instead, we’re investing in Maitland’s circular economy, prioritising resource recovery and choosing to more effectively redirect waste into the appropriate disposal and recycling destinations.
Stage three will include the construction of a new transfer station at the facility. This is where waste is dropped off, sorted, and then loaded into larger trucks for transport to regional processing or disposal sites. The facility will allow us to reduce the cost and impact of waste transportation by being more efficient, and also recover recyclable materials before waste leaves the site.
In our 2025/26 Delivery Program and Operational Plan, $3.43 million is allocated for the conclusion of stage two works, and detailed design and construction of stage three works. The project’s total cost is $31.5 million.
No, the site won’t be required to close during construction. Works will be delivered in stages to minimise disruption. Occasional traffic control will be in place, and work will proceed without preventing members of the public from visiting the site. Any interruptions to service will be communicated in advance.
Yes. In 2022, Maitland Council undertook a waste survey, in which residents told us that they expect better waste facility infrastructure and more opportunities to recycle. This feedback has informed both this project and our broader Environmental and Sustainability Strategy 2030.
Community consultation is also a key part of the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement, something that is required for the new transfer station.
As the project move forward, we’ll continue to provide updates and keep residents informed of its progress.