Buderim Landfill Gas Project

Buderim Landfill Gas Project is a waste sector project located at the Buderim Resource Recovery Centre on Syd Lingard Drive, approximately 7km southwest of the major commercial hub of Maroochydore on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Registered in August 2012, the project operates within a region characterized by a mix of peri-urban residential development and remnant bushland. While the specific project area size is not publicly listed, the facility serves as a key waste management site for the surrounding dense coastal population.

This project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative - Landfill Gas) Methodology Determination 2015. Landfill gas projects involve the installation of gas collection systems, comprising wells and pipework, to extract methane generated by decomposing organic waste in landfill cells. This captured gas is then combusted, either via flaring or electricity generation, converting the potent methane into carbon dioxide, which has a significantly lower global warming potential. The Buderim project is notable for capturing gas from both "legacy" (waste deposited before July 2012) and "non-legacy" waste.

The environment of the Buderim plateau is distinct, experiencing a humid subtropical climate with high average rainfall, often exceeding 1,500mm annually. The area is geologically famous for its deep red volcanic soils, known as Ferrosols or krasnozem, which historically supported rich agricultural crops like ginger and sugar cane before urbanization. However, the landfill site itself likely sits within a lower-lying gully or depression featuring clay-heavy soils suitable for waste containment.

A significant aspect of this project is its maturity and successful delivery under the government's carbon abatement schemes. It was originally registered under the older 'CFI' statutes before transitioning to the current method. The project proponent, LMS Energy Pty Ltd, is a leading Australian bioenergy company that manages similar gas capture operations across the Sunshine Coast. Notably, the project successfully completed its Carbon Abatement Contract (CAC164941) with the Australian Government, a contract that was awarded in April 2015 to guarantee the delivery of carbon credits.