PRIVATE sector funding could be found to solve the island’s waste-disposal problem. Retired businessman Dick Bilborough has come up with plans to turn the 11-acre Longue Hougue site into a one-stop shop for dealing with it.

He believes there are companies that will provide the funding to make his vision a reality.

‘My first priority was to see if it could be done. Now we need to see if it can be privately funded to save the States money.’

His ideas are being supported by David Chan, of specialist securities firm Cenkos.

As Mr Bilborough has developed his proposals over the last six months, the pair have kept talking to a number of interested private parties.

‘We have enjoyed nothing but positive feedback,’ said Mr Bilborough.

He is a waste-management expert with an intimate knowledge of local issues.

Included are plans to build an energy-from-waste incinerator with a 25,000-ton annual capacity – a third of the output of the one rejected by the States. Mr Bilborough is confident it would more than meet demand.

‘The burner would minimise residual waste from going to landfill and also remove harmful components from it,’ he said. ‘If the technology we have our eyes on at the moment does what it says it can, we would be able to significantly reduce what is going to landfill.’

Throughout his career in agribusiness and latterly as the head of his own company, TEG Environmental, Mr Bilborough has been at the forefront of waste-management technology.

‘The Longue Hougue site is a unique opportunity to put all these technologies in one place for a one-stop shop providing a solution to all the island’s waste,’ he said.

‘The Guernsey situation could become a template for similar installations in other parts of the world where all needs are linked together.’

Mr Bilborough and Mr Chan will outline their vision at a public meeting at the Old Government House Hotel at 6pm on Monday.

The former has already briefed key members of the Public Services and Environment departments on an informal basis.

‘This presentation is being provided to give islanders a chance to see the idea and further to inform States members without compromising the integrity of the tender process.’