The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is inviting councils, industry and the public to comment on updated Environmental Guidelines for Solid Waste Landfills, which set the minimum standards for landfill design, operation and rehabilitation across the state.
The revised draft aims to strengthen environmental protection, improve landfill performance and ensure long-term resilience of waste infrastructure. The Guidelines are used by the EPA to inform regulatory decisions under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, covering both council-run and privately operated facilities.
The proposed changes reaffirm existing requirements while introducing new measures that reflect national standards and international best practice. Updates include provisions for:
- Designing and constructing landfills to adapt to climate change impacts;
- Managing fire risks from batteries;
- Enhanced odour, leachate and contamination monitoring; and
- Improved protection of land, water and air quality.
The EPA noted that the update comes as Greater Sydney approaches landfill capacity limits, with waste volumes increasing alongside population growth. The review also seeks to modernise the guidelines, which were last comprehensively updated nearly a decade ago.
Feedback is sought on whether the new Guidelines are clear, practical and robust in meeting current and future waste management needs.
Submissions are open until 25 November 2025. Further information and the draft Guidelines are available at https://yoursay.epa.nsw.gov.au/draft-environmental-guidelines-solid-waste-landfills.
