Residual waste treatment project

The North West Region Waste Management Group’s (NWRWMG) Joint Committee, made up of representatives from the Group’s seven member Councils including Ballymoney, Moyle and Coleriane, met on Wednesday (19th March).

A spokesperson said: “The NWRWMG’s Joint Committee has agreed to recommend to the Group’s constituent Councils that they do not continue with the procurement of the North West Region Waste Infrastructure Project to deliver new waste infrastructure for the treatment of residual (black bin) waste.

“The recommendation was made due to the degree of uncertainty surrounding the project and question marks over the potential for successful delivery of the project in accordance with the appointment business case and the original final tender submission.

“It was concluded that continuing with this uncertainty placed Councils in a position where it would be difficult to plan adequately to ensure that future waste management obligations were met under the EU Waste Framework Directive. In addition, continuing with the project would involve considerable additional cost to the public purse with no guarantee of a successful outcome.

“The Joint Committee is very disappointed that it has had to make this recommendation, but has done so in the interests of all its stakeholders, including ratepayers and Councils.

“The recommendation will now be presented to member Councils for their consideration, and the final outcome will be announced when all seven Councils have made their decision.

“Pending that decision the NWRWMG will continue to work with its constituent Councils to develop solutions to manage the area’s residual waste and ensure ongoing compliance with EU, national and regional waste targets.”