The Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct will be the first facility of its kind in Perth’s northern corridor. Designed to manage household and business waste smarter and more sustainably, the precinct aligns to the WA Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 Action Plan.
To meet the needs of our growing population, the precinct will help future-proof how we manage waste in our community with its key services:
- A community recycling centre where residents can drop-off hard-to-recycle items
- A materials recovery facility to sort and recycle items locally
- A waste transfer station to help move waste materials efficiently.
In addition, a waste-to-energy plant is being considered as a future addition to the precinct. This potential facility would convert non-recyclable waste into usable energy, further reducing landfill and supporting sustainable energy solutions.
Together, these services allow waste to be sorted, recycled and processed locally, reducing environmental impact and supporting local jobs. By bringing these capabilities together in one location, the precinct will help build a cleaner, stronger waste system for our community.
The Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct is one of the City’s advocacy priorities.
Project timeline
Concept designs
June 2025
Community Engagement
November 2025
Construction begins
March 2027
Project contact
Updates
Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct – Material Recovery Facility – Development Approval
Update 1 October 2026
The Development Approval (DA) for the Materials Recovery Facility component of the Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct has been lodged with the City ahead of lodgement with the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC).
It is anticipated that once lodged with the WAPC that the DA will take 90 days for assessment and decision. The WAPC will likely open the DA for public comment.
The City will provide advice on the dates for public comment when they are made available.
Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct Stage 1 - EPA Referral
Update 15 September 2026
The City has been advised that the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has decided not to formally assess the proposed Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct Stage 1 under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
The EPA determined that potential environmental impacts can be managed through existing statutory approval processes, including clearing permits and Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) licensing and approval requirements.
The project remains subject to these approval and regulatory processes.
Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct Stage 1 - EPBC referral decision (2 September 2026)
Update 11 September 2026
The City has been notified that a decision has been made by the Australian Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 on the proposed Resource Recovery Precinct in Neerabup.
The proposal was assessed to determine whether it was likely to have a significant impact on matters protected under national environmental law. The Australian Government has decided the proposal is not a controlled action. This means the project does not require further assessment or approval under the EPBC Act before it can proceed.
This decision only relates to matters protected under the EPBC Act. It does not remove the need for any separate State or local government environmental assessments, permits or approvals.
Other approval processes are still underway. These include assessment by the State Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), a clearing permit appeal being considered through the Office of the Appeals Convenor, and a works approval currently being assessed by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).
The City will continue to monitor these processes and provide updates to the community as more information becomes available.
The City received notification on 7 August 2026 that the EPBC referral for Stage 1 of the Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct (2026/10566) has now been validated by the National Environmental Protection Agency and is open for comment via the EPBC Act Public Portal until 21 August 2026.
The City received notification on 26th March that Stage 1 of the Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct had been referred by a third party to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The City has now provided the EPA with the requested information, including an updated Black Cockatoo survey for their consideration.
This information is available as part of the EPA’s public comment period at consultation.epa.wa.gov.au/, from Monday 15 June 2026 until midnight Sunday 21 June 2026.
Update Wednesday 1 April 2026
Please note the DWER works approval for the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) will be delivered in two parts.
The first part is included in the current Works Approval for NRRP Stage 1 and covers construction of the MRF. The second part will be issued after construction and will cover operation of the MRF by the successful operator.
This does not add anything new to the Stage 1 facilities. It supports a more efficient delivery of the MRF.
Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct – DWER Public Comment Update
Update Wednesday 11 March 2026
In previous correspondence, the City advised that there would be a 28-day public consultation period for the DWER Works Approval for the Stage 1 of the Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct. We would like to clarify that the consultation timeframe is determined by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), which is the responsible regulatory authority for this matter.
DWER has since confirmed that the consultation period for this proposal will be 21 days, in accordance with its standard regulatory process under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA). As this consultation is being administered by DWER, the City does not have the ability to amend or extend the timeframe set by the State Government.
We acknowledge that this differs from the earlier advice provided by the City and apologise for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused.
If you feel that additional time is required to prepare a submission, it is possible to request an extension directly from DWER.
The City encourages anyone with an interest in this matter to review the consultation material and provide their feedback within the consultation period. Community input forms an important part of the assessment process and ensures that local perspectives are considered.
DWER Works Approval – Public Comment
Update Thursday 5 March 2026
At the Ordinary Council Meeting on 24 February 2026, Council resolved to proceed with Stage 1 of the Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct Project. Stage 1 of the masterplan for the 30-hectare site proposes a Waste Transfer Station (WTS), Community Recycling Centre (CRC) and Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). Located next to the existing Neerabup Power Station and about 1.8 km from the nearest residential area, the precinct will consolidate the City’s waste services into a single, purpose-built location.
The next key milestone for the project is the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) Works Approval for the WTS and CRC, the MRF will be the subject of a future works approval. Community have the opportunity to provide comment and feedback to the DWER application through a 21-day mandatory comment period.
DWER have advised that this application will be open for comment from Monday 9 March 2026 and can be found from that date at Assessments for public comment - Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. The City would encourage community members to take the opportunity to provide comment and feedback they may have on the project to DWER.
The City appreciates the community input received during the planning process which will continue to inform the detailed design and how the project evolves alongside State environmental approvals and technical assessments.
Frequently asked questions
The CRC will be a public drop-off facility for recyclables, reusables and hard-to-dispose-of items, with potential waste education spaces and re-use shops.
The WTS will collect waste from households and consolidate it into larger loads for efficient transport to recycling or disposal facilities.
The MRF will sort mixed recycling into separate materials such as paper, plastic and metal so they can be reused or processed by manufacturers.
The City is planning for long-term local waste services, particularly as Tamala Park is expected to reach capacity and close by 2028.
The CRC, WTS and MRF are estimated to cost $75 million, with State and Federal funding being sought and the MRF planned for private investment.
Community consultation is planned during the design phase, allowing residents and stakeholders to review and provide feedback on concept and detailed designs.
The precinct will not include a landfill. Non-recoverable waste will be transported to landfill facilities or waste-to-energy plants for processing.
