Rochedale Landfill Gas Project

The Rochedale Landfill Gas Project (EOP100183) is a waste emissions avoidance and energy generation project located in the suburb of Rochedale, approximately 18 kilometers southeast of the Brisbane CBD in Queensland. Registered on March 22, 2013, the project operates within the boundary of the Brisbane City Council's major waste management facility. While the surrounding Rochedale region was historically a hub for market gardens and small-scale farming, it has recently transitioned into a rapidly developing urban and peri-urban residential area.

This project operates under the Electricity Generation from Landfill Gas methodology. Landfill gas projects involve the installation of wells and piping systems into waste piles to vacuum out methane, a potent greenhouse gas produced during the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter. Rather than simply flaring (burning) this gas to convert it to less harmful carbon dioxide, this project combusts the gas in specialized engines to generate renewable electricity. This process credits the project for both the destruction of methane and the displacement of fossil-fuel-generated electricity from the grid.

The environmental conditions in Rochedale are characterized by a humid subtropical climate with high rainfall, particularly in summer. These warm, wet conditions accelerate the decomposition of organic waste, leading to consistent methane production rates. The area is geologically renowned for its "Rochedale red soils" (ferrosols or red clay loams), which are deep, fertile, and well-draining soils that originally supported the region's productive fruit and vegetable industry before urbanization.

A notable feature of this project is its longevity and scale. It is a partnership between the proponent, LMS Energy, and the Brisbane City Council. The facility has evolved through multiple methodology variations (2012, 2015, and 2021) to maintain compliance and optimize generation. It successfully completed an Emissions Reduction Fund contract (CAC783510) in April 2022. Reports indicate the site utilizes multiple landfill gas engines with a combined capacity of approximately 7 megawatts, generating enough power for thousands of local homes annually.