Cooma Landfill Gas Project

The Cooma Landfill Gas Project is a landfill gas capture project located at the Cooma Landfill, approximately 4km south of the Cooma township in the Snowy Monaro region of New South Wales. Registered in December 2024, the project operates within the boundary of the Council's waste facility on the Monaro Highway.

The Snowy Monaro region is traditionally known for sheep and cattle grazing due to its rolling tablelands, as well as forestry and tourism associated with the nearby Snowy Mountains. The area has a cool temperate climate with distinct seasons, characterized by cold, frosty winters and warm summers. Cooma sits in a rain shadow, resulting in relatively low annual rainfall compared to the coastal ranges. The soils in the immediate vicinity, particularly along Maffra Road, are often classified as Ferrosols or Dermosols, derived from the region's basalt and granite geology.

Landfill gas projects involve the installation of vertical wells and horizontal piping into the waste mass to vacuum out biogas produced by decomposing organic matter. This gas, primarily methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is captured and combusted (flared) or used for electricity generation, converting it into less harmful carbon dioxide. This specific project is a partnership between the proponent, LMS Energy, and the Snowy Monaro Regional Council. It was designed to come at no cost to ratepayers, with the Council sharing in the revenue generated from the sale of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).