PENANG is exploring long-term solutions for construction and demolition (C&D) waste management on the island as major development projects ramp up and the Batu Maung Waste Transfer Station land lease approaches its 2037 expiry.
During the State Legislative Assembly sitting at Light Street today, Jawi assemblyman and state Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said the responsibility for developing permanent C&D waste facilities had been entrusted to PLB Engineering Sdn. Bhd. (PLBE) under the rehabilitation and development agreement for the Jelutong Landfill.
He said PLBE is required to develop a permanent facility for C&D waste operations for a 20-year period, with a temporary 10-acre site already in operation at Phase 3 of the Pulau Burung landfill.
However, H’ng noted that distance, logistics and delivery time have significantly affected operational efficiency.
“The long haul to Pulau Burung increases costs and impacts stakeholders involved in waste collection and disposal.
“Therefore, having a permanent or at least a transit facility on the island should be seriously considered to support the existing waste-management ecosystem,” (PH – Jawi) H’ng said.
MBPP has applied to Penang Development Corporation (PDC) to extend the Batu Maung Waste Transfer Station land lease by 30 years to facilitate the development of such a facility.
The application was rejected, but the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) intends to appeal to the state government.
“We hope the state can reconsider the extension in the interest of island residents, as it will allow MBPP to move forward with building an integrated solid waste management centre covering domestic, bulk and C&D waste,” H’ng added.
On whether sea reclamation could be allowed for the development of a C&D waste facility on the island, H’ng said such approval would depend strictly on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) compliance.
Responding to a supplementary question from (PH – Air Itam) Joseph Ng Soon Siang on new disposal sites after the Jelutong Landfill’s closure, H’ng said current C&D waste from both MBPP and MBSP is disposed of at the Pulau Burung and Ampang Jajar waste-management facilities.
He clarified that MBPP does not directly manage C&D waste disposal.
“This service is handled by private contractors appointed by developers or property owners.
“However, all contractors must hold valid MBPP permits and are required to declare the amount of waste disposed as part of building-plan compliance,” he said.
H’ng added that all island-based C&D waste is presently sent to the Jelutong transfer site until its final day of operation on Nov 30 this year.
After that, all C&D waste must be channelled to authorised sites.
“Beginning Dec 1, all C&D waste transporters on the island are advised to dispose of waste at the Integrated Solid Waste Management Centre in Ampang Jajar or at Pulau Burung,” he said.
Story by Kevin Vimal