Cessnock Landfill Gas Upgrade Project

Cessnock Landfill Gas Upgrade Project is a waste management project located at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre, approximately 4km northeast of the Cessnock town centre in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. It was registered in July 2023. While a specific area size is not defined for this project, it operates within the footprint of the municipal landfill site.

Landfill gas projects are designed to capture methane, a potent greenhouse gas released during the anaerobic decomposition of organic waste, and combust it to convert it into less harmful carbon dioxide. As an "upgrade" project under the 2015 Landfill Gas methodology, this initiative does not establish a new system but instead enhances an existing gas collection infrastructure. This involves upgrading the facility to capture a higher percentage of gas generated from both legacy and non-legacy waste, earning Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) for the additional abatement generated beyond historical baselines.

The Hunter Valley region is traditionally known for a diverse mix of land uses, including historic coal mining operations, rural grazing, and the prestigious world-renowned vineyards of the Lower Hunter Valley. The region typically experiences a temperate climate with moderate rainfall. The local terrain generally features clay and loamy soils, which are highly suitable for the area's mixed industrial and rural agricultural operations.

LMS Energy Pty Ltd, the proponent of the project, is Australia's largest landfill bioenergy company. The biogas flaring facility is owned and operated in partnership with the Cessnock City Council. Beyond generating carbon credits and actively reducing greenhouse gas emissions, upgrading the gas capture infrastructure provides significant local environmental benefits, such as reducing landfill odour and improving air quality for the surrounding community.