This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mann

Longue Hougue. Any new waste treatment facility is destined to be built here.

HE solution for the island’s waste problem should be known early next year.

It is an issue that has gone unresolved for a decade but deputies yesterday approved Public Services’ waste report, which shortlists seven companies offering a range of solutions – including incineration. The original eight were reduced when two of the firms decided they would work together.

The department will now issue tender documents and minister Bernard Flouquet said it would come back with its preferred bidder by January or February.

Over two days, the report survived some opposition – an attempt to delay it failed by just one vote on Wednesday and an amendment yesterday for three solutions to be brought back for the States to decide upon was lost by just two – but there remains strong opposition to mass-burn incineration.

Members will now attend seminars organised by the department as it moves the tender process on.

Deputy Flouquet said it had been a long, arduous task for him and others.

‘I understand the concerns of those today who expressed not only their personal views but those of people in our community,’ he said.

Those raised included health risks and the projections for the amount of waste any plant or combination of plants would have to deal with.

One estimate suggested the project will cost between £80m. and £100m.

The contract will last for 25 years and the successful bidder will operate the plant over that time.

It can be funded by a loan because there will be an income stream from the gate price, meaning no money will have to come out of the island’s capital reserve.

Assurances were given that modular solutions could come to the fore, meaning a smaller plant could be built and then added to if the amount of waste grew.

‘There’s one thing my department is totally and utterly committed to as a body of politicians and that’s recycling,’ said Deputy Flouquet.

‘I don’t believe there’s any of us not prepared to put our shoulder behind work to achieve a rate of 50% and even greater.’

He added that there was still some way to go on the rubbish problem.

‘We will do our best to come forward with the best solution on behalf of the community.’

Article posted on 1st August, 2008 - 1.00pm