A massive fire at a Cairns waste facility has thrown the city’s green waste initiatives into chaos, resulting in hundreds of tonnes of organic waste being sent to landfill.
Around 40 firefighters battled the blaze throughout the night at the Bedminster plant of the Portsmith Waste Facility, located on the city’s south side. The inferno produced thick plumes of toxic smoke, casting a shadow over the Cairns skyline and raising concerns among local residents.
Queensland Fire and Rescue Chief Superintendent Adam Gwin reported that the situation posed significant risks to firefighters from Cairns, Innisfail, Mareeba, and Port Douglas. “We encountered internal explosions and stubborn fires that were difficult to extinguish, which were free-fuelling and flaring,” he explained.
Before the fire, the Bedminster plant played a crucial role in sorting non-recyclable waste and extracting compostable materials, employing both manual labor and machinery. The facility diverted approximately 125 tonnes of waste daily—about half of the total collection from 9,000 bins—from ending up in landfill.
Cairns Regional Council infrastructure director Mark Wuth acknowledged the setback, stating, “This incident means more waste will go into landfill in the short term, which is something we’re always striving to minimize.” As the city grapples with the aftermath of this disaster, the future of its green waste management remains uncertain.
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