iQRenew to build, operate new MRF at Summerhill

The City of Newcastle’s councillors voted unanimously on Tuesday night in favour of a $56.7 million tender by iQRenew, which will see the company build and operate a new material recovery facility (MRF) at Summerhill.

The new MRF at Summerhill Waste Management Facility will have capacity to process 85,000 tonnes per annum of yellow-lid bin recyclables, which will then be on-sold to recyclers.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said, “The sudden closure of the only MRF in the Hunter in 2020 meant recyclables from Newcastle had to be transported to a processing facility on the Central Coast. For other local councils their recyclables now have to be transported to Sydney at significant expense to their ratepayers.

“The delivery of the MRF will also provide a major economic boost to our region, creating around 185 jobs during the construction and fit-out phase and up to 28 ongoing jobs when it becomes operational.”

A development application for the MRF is under assessment by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel, with a decision expected in the second half of this year.

The project has also been backed by $5 million in funding from the federal and NSW Governments.

Picture: credit iQ Renew