Bargo Waste Management Centre (Bargo WMC) operated from the 1960s to 2025 accepting bulky landfill waste. Council has continued to adapt to changing environmental legislative requirements and extended the life of the tip as much as possible; however, unfortunately the tip reached full capacity and the site permanently closed on 8 June, 2025.
| Suburb | Bargo |
|---|---|
| Status | Complete |
| End Date | Sunday, 8 June 2025 |
Bargo tip faced a number of significant challenges which have resulted in the need to permanently close the facility such as:
The site is at capacity
The site has reached its maximum capacity and there is no opportunity for expansion or additional landfilling. Any additional landfill waste received on site is currently being transported off site for disposal due to the fact capacity has been reached.
Long-wall mining operations and possible subsidence
Tahmoor Coal has been approved to carry out long-wall mining operations under Bargo WMC in late 2026 to early 2027. This poses a subsidence risk, especially if the site is not remediated beforehand.
Lack of utilities
The site is not connected to water, sewer main, or electricity, which impacts operational efficiency.
Pollution risks to surrounding ecological areas
The surrounding land to the north, east and south of the site is classed as C2 Environmental Conservation Land due to its high ecological values. The site is also located directly adjacent to Dog Trap Creek which connects to Bargo River. These areas are sensitive to leachate (contaminated water) and gas and are at risk of pollution until the site is remediated.
| Time Period | Event/Description |
|---|---|
| Prior to the 1960s | The site was an existing natural reserve. |
| 1960 to 2024 | Bargo tip operated as a landfill site, accepting non-putrescible waste such as glass, rubber, plastic, cement, etc. During this time, the landfill lifespan was extended on a number of occasions following improved management practices including better waste compaction, increased recycling efficiencies and the installation of a weighbridge in 2019. |
| 2023 | A draft Landfill Closure Plan, estimated that the remaining landfill capacity had been reached. |
| 2024 | Council commenced planning for the closure of Bargo tip with the NSW EPA with the aim of limiting the impact of the closure on the community. This included transitioning to a waste transfer station for the community and providing ongoing updates to the community as the plan progressed. |
| 8 June 2025 |
Bargo Waste Management Center is PERMANENTLY CLOSED. |
1. Design and Approvals
Once an appropriate location for a landfill is found, a landfills journey begins with the design and approval phase. This is where the groundwork is laid, quite literally. Plans for the landfill are crafted, with the final land use being determined at this stage and a Landfill Environmental Management Plan prepared. This plan serves as the blueprint, outlining strategies, measures, and procedures for effective and sustainable landfill management through each stage of operation.
2. Licence
Approval is sought from the NSW EPA for an Environmental Protection Licence. This licence is the green light, specifying what waste is acceptable on-site, maximum stockpile sizes, reporting requirements, etc.
3. Construction
Once licenced, the construction phase can commence. In the construction phase, landfill cells are created, complete with leachate & gas capture systems. This stage is the most important stage as it ensures that the surrounding environment is protected during the operation of the landfill.
4. Operation
Following construction, the operational stage commences which involves landfilling, implementing daily cover, ongoing environmental monitoring, and regular reporting to the NSW EPA. This is also where the NSW EPA has an active presence, especially if the site is not performing in line with the Environment Protection Licence or NSW EPA’s guidelines and legislation.
5. Closure
Prior to site closure, a Landfill Closure Plan (LCP) is created for the site in line with the NSW EPA’s Solid Waste Landfill Guidelines. A LCP is a concept design of what the remediated site will look like and covers how any existing site issues will be rectified. This is the stage where customers are notified of the impending site closure.
6. Remediation
Next is the remediation, which is essentially the makeover phase. Slope rectification, layer installations (including gas collection and venting, sealing, drainage, and revegetation), storm water management, and the addition of environmental monitoring bores occurs in this stage.
7. After Care
A landfill’s journey doesn’t end with remediation. In the aftercare stage, ongoing environmental monitoring becomes paramount for 30+ years. It ensures the site's continued compliance with environmental standards post closure and provides assurance that the closed landfill does not pose a risk to the surrounding environment, including groundwater and air quality.
Download our fact sheet covering the details of the closure and remediation of Bargo Waste Management Centre below.
Following the closure, landfill remediation will commence to safely contain waste in line with the Protection of the Environment Operations Act and NSW EPA approvals, protecting the environment now and for future generations. Works will include:
The final land use of the site will be green open space which will contain a variety of grasses and carefully selected flora to encourage local fauna and insects back to the area and support the exiting ecological corridor with the neighbouring C2 Environmental Conservation zoned land. The site will be inaccessible to the public.
Unfortunately, the site cannot be used as a public space due to potential risks associated with landfill gas emissions and steep landfill batter slopes post remediation. No vehicular or foot traffic is permitted on the remediated landfill to ensure that no damage occurs to the final capping layer of soil and vegetation.
At this stage, it is very unlikely that Council will consider developing another landfill due to the high financial costs associated with the construction, operation and ongoing environmental monitoring required. Instead, already established local waste facilities are a more feasible solution and conveniently located for all Wollondilly residents to access.
Council was successful in securing grant funding through the Black Summer Bushfire Grants Program to install a hardstand area at 25 Government Rd, Bargo (next door to Bargo WMC) to support emergency waste management following natural disasters.
Other uses of the area include but are not limited to:
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Wollondilly Shire Council acknowledges the Dharawal and Gundungurra peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land, honouring their enduring cultural and spiritual connection to Country and recognising their ongoing contribution to the Shire.
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