Cairncross Landfill Gas (LFG) Extraction System - Stage E & 1

Cairncross Landfill Gas (LFG) Extraction System - Stage E & 1 is a landfill gas project located at the Cairncross Waste Management Facility in Pembrooke, approximately 15km northwest of Port Macquarie, NSW. The project was registered in February 2025 and focuses on specific waste cells, specifically Stage E and Stage 1, within the council-operated facility. The surrounding Pembrooke and Telegraph Point region is characterized by rural land use, primarily consisting of state forestry operations and grazing.

Landfill gas projects operate by installing a network of wells and pipes into the waste mass to vacuum out methane generated by decomposing organic matter. Under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative-Landfill Gas) Methodology Determination 2015, this captured gas must be combusted, usually via a flare or electricity generator, to convert the potent methane into less harmful carbon dioxide. This specific project is designed to manage gas from both "legacy" (waste deposited before the scheme) and "non-legacy" waste streams.

The Mid North Coast region where the facility is situated is known for its humid subtropical climate and high rainfall, often exceeding 1,300mm annually. The local soils are typically varied, ranging from clays and loams in the forestry areas to potential acid sulfate soils in lower-lying coastal zones, though the landfill itself is engineered on stable ground suitable for heavy waste management infrastructure. Port Macquarie Hastings Council initiated this project following a specific tender process to design and construct the gas extraction system, which includes flares and manifolds to ensure compliance with environmental standards.