West Belconnen Landfill Gas Upgrade Project

The West Belconnen Landfill Gas Upgrade Project is a waste sector project located at the West Belconnen Resource Management Centre, approximately 15 kilometers northwest of the Canberra CBD in the Australian Capital Territory. Registered in June 2020, the project operates within a closed suburban landfill site that historically served the Belconnen district. The surrounding region is currently undergoing a significant transition from rural-urban fringe and grazing land to the new residential development known as Ginninderry, while also bordering the Woodstock Nature Reserve.

The project operates under the Landfill Gas methodology, which incentivizes the capture and combustion of methane generated by decomposing organic waste. By upgrading the existing gas collection infrastructure, comprising wells, pipes, and flaring systems, the project prevents potent methane gas from venting into the atmosphere. Instead, the gas is captured and combusted, converting it into less harmful carbon dioxide. In this specific instance, the proponent LGI Limited manages the site to abate carbon and generate renewable energy where viable, ensuring the safety and amenity of the growing residential communities nearby.

Environmentally, the West Belconnen area experiences a cool temperate climate with moderate annual rainfall, typical of the Canberra region. The local terrain consists of texture-contrast soils, often classified as Kurosols or clay-loams, which are common across the Molonglo Valley and surrounding plains. These soil conditions influence the engineering of gas collection systems and the rehabilitation of the landfill cap.

A notable feature of this project is its integration into the broader Ginninderry urban renewal strategy. While the landfill ceased accepting general waste years ago, the active management of landfill gas is critical for reducing odors and environmental risks for the new adjacent suburbs. LGI Limited reports that the site has successfully abated hundreds of thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, demonstrating how legacy waste infrastructure can continue to provide environmental benefits long after closure.