A new bio-retention basin has been constructed alongside Birkdale Recycling and Waste Centre to improve the quality of stormwater discharged into nearby waterways.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said as well as the environmental benefits, the basin would also reduce maintenance and operational costs associated with managing stormwater and stormwater infrastructure.

“The construction of the bio-retention basin is part of a wider scope of works at the site following the remediation of the landfill in 2017, and construction of the asphalt hardstand for stockpiled materials in 2020.

“Stormwater runoff from the Recycling and Waste Centre has the potential to cause water contamination or environmental harm in the areas where it is discharged, namely Tarradarrapin Creek which in turn flows into Waterloo Bay.

“However, the water treated through the bio-retention basin will be of a higher quality than previously managed through the stormwater pond it is replacing.”

Playing a pivotal role in that improved water quality are almost 3000 native grasses and plants which cover about 425 sq m of the basin.

Native grasses and plants will play an integral role in the new bio-retention basin alongside Birkdale Recycling and Waste Centre.

“The stormwater quality onsite improved significantly following the completion of the asphalt hardstand,” Cr Williams said.

“Now the bio-retention basin is complete, the stormwater will meet quality standards without the requirement for treatment before being discharged, as any sediment or nutrients in the stormwater will be filtered by the plant and filtration media (a combination of soil, sand and gravel).”

Cr Williams said Council saved time and a lot of money on the basin’s construction by using a new product to transform a large amount of silt and contaminated sludge at the bottom of the previous stormwater pond.

“This innovative mud stabilisation product transformed the sludge into a usable material which was then incorporated with other materials to construct the bio-retention basin,” she said.

“The use of this product saved more than $275,000 and reduced construction time by three weeks, achieving a great environmental and financial outcome for the city.”

Division 8 Councillor Tracey Huges said the bio-retention basin met the expectations and compliance standards set by the Department of Environment and Science and modern environmental standards required for an operating waste facility.

“Last year Council resurfaced the gravel area on top of the hill with an innovative bitumen seal that used recycled tyres,” Cr Huges said.

“Earlier this year Council repaired a stormwater drain which had been damaged following heavy rain.

“Now, with the completion of the bio-retention basin on the western perimeter of the Birkdale Recycling and Waste Centre, Council has ensured there is modern and best practice stormwater management infrastructure in place to capture any fine particles or sediment generated through operations onsite.”

Redlands IndigiScapes Centre has extended its specialist recycling station to trial a TerraCycle Face Mask Zero Waste Box to recycle single-use face masks on behalf of the Redlands Coast community.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the move came after concerns were raised about the additional litter and burden on landfill resulting from all the disposable masks being worn throughout the pandemic.

“The fact that disposable face masks are not accepted in our kerbside recycling hasn’t presented a problem before, but we find ourselves in changing times,” Cr Williams said.

“As Council’s environmental education hub, IndigiScapes, already houses a recycling station for items such as CDs, VHS, toothbrushes and toothpaste and x-rays; it is the ideal location to trial mask disposal as well.

“Now residents can drop all types of single-use face masks in the TerraCycle box at the Centre, which provides a sustainable and convenient disposal solution.

“When full, the box will be returned to TerraCycle, where the waste will be quarantined for at least three months.

“The contents of the box will then be manually sorted and shredded. The metal from the nose clips is smelted and the plastic is melted down into low-grade plastic pellets. The recycled pellet material is then used by third parties to manufacture a variety of new products including outdoor furniture, park benches and decking.”

Councillor for Division 7 Rowanne McKenzie said that Council encouraged everyone to follow the Queensland Health guidelines on safe disposals of masks.

“Whilst the box is lined with a plastic bag so no one can come into contact with the waste, Queensland Health guidelines require face masks to be placed in a sealed bag prior to disposal,” she said.

“Only non-woven disposable plastic-based face masks can be placed in the mask disposal box at IndigiScapes, including 3-ply surgical, dust masks, KN95, and N95 masks.

“Do not bring in cloth masks or other types of protective gear like gloves, hair nets, or lab coats and garments.

“The mask disposal box is situated in the foyer of IndigiScapes and accessible during the centre’s opening hours, 8am-4pm, seven days per week.

“Why not visit the native nursery, wander through the native botanic gardens, go for a bushwalk or drop into the café while you’re there.

“It’s a naturally wonderful experience.”

Redlands IndigiScapes Centre is located at 17 Runnymede Road, Capalaba.

Visit redland.qld.gov.au/waste for more information about waste and recycling and indigiscapes.redland.qld.gov.au to find out what IndigiScapes has to offer.

To learn more about TerraCycle and its programs visit terracycle.com.au.