Why it matters

Review to reflect standards and emerging issues

The Guidelines were last reviewed in 2016. A review has been undertaken to ensure they continue to reflect contemporary standards and address known and emerging issues, including climate change, increased risk of fires from batteries, and the presence of emerging contaminants. The proposed draft Guidelines has also been reviewed against Australian and International guidelines to ensure the requirements are consistent with national regulation and international best practice.

Minimum standards

The Guidelines provide minimum standards for landfill siting, design, operation and rehabilitation to protect human health and the environment from the impacts of landfilling.

The Guidelines are used by the EPA in making regulatory decisions on landfills licensed under the POEO Act and operated by local government and commercial landfill operators.

The key updates to the proposed Guidelines include:

  • Clarification of the minimum specifications for landfill leachate barriers and capping systems and the procedure for submitting alternatives to the specifications provided.
  • Inclusion of a requirement for Design and Construction Quality Assurance reports submitted to the EPA to include a certification and summary statement in a prescribed form by an engineer.
  • Provision of additional guidance on several key issues, in particular climate change adaptation, landfill fires, and odour incident management.
  • Inclusion of certain emerging contaminants in the water monitoring suites, namely PFAS and brominated fire retardants.
  • Inclusion of photographs and diagrams illustrating key landfill components and enhancing the appearance of the Guidelines.

The EPA will also be soon engaging landfill operators and industry on a new PFAS monitoring Chemical Control Order, which will put in place requirements to monitor for PFAS in leachate. The data will inform the EPA’s regulation of these chemicals under IChEMS and implement guidance in the PFAS NEMP 3.0.

Read the Guidelines and tell us what you think

We are seeking feedback on the draft Environmental Guidelines for Solid Waste Landfills. Have a read and tell us what you think.

The EPA is consulting with the community, local councils, landfill operators and landfill consultants before finalising the Guidelines.

Your views on the updated Guidelines are highly valued and will inform any further amendments.

We want to get your feedback on:

  • The minimum design specifications for landfills in NSW

  • The requirement for certification of construction quality assurance plans and reports

  • The inclusion of additional guidance on fire detection and management, climate change adaptation and odour management

  • The inclusion of diagrams and photographs of key landfill features

Ways to have your say

Public consultation on the Draft Environmental Guidelines for Solid Waste Landfills is now open until 25 November 2025.

Provide your feedback by completing by:

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