The City of Greater Geelong has announced that the Geelong Resource Recovery Centre
and Transfer Station (GRRC) in Douro Street will be transformed into a brand-new, state-of-
the-art facility, designed to meet the region’s needs over the coming decades.
The former GRRC, which was initially built in the 1970s, has been closed to the public since
March this year. After careful consideration and expert analysis, it was determined that the
best course of action was to invest in a new, purpose-built facility designed with best
practices in mind, given that fixes to the current structure would be costly and short-term in
nature.
The announcement brings forward existing plans for the future of the centre, and funding
was already allocated in the City’s budget for a new facility.
While construction of the new GRRC is underway over the coming years, a temporary site
will open near Douro Street from late September for drop-offs. Operated by GDP Industries,
the pop-up site will initially accept cardboard, polystyrene, e-waste, gas bottles, car and truck
batteries (wet cell), which were the most common items received at the former GRRC.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM said this was a once-in-a-generation
opportunity to upgrade recycling in the region.
“The former Douro Street facility was never purpose-built as a recycling centre back in the
1970s,” Cr Kontelj said. “It’s clear that over the past 50 years, construction, recycling and
resource recovery have come a long way.
“While plans were already underway for a new centre to replace the Douro Street facility as
it reached the end of its life, these plans can now be brought forward to build the world-class
facility that Greater Geelong deserves. This is a big project, and it will take time, but we
know it’s absolutely going to be worth it when the new GRRC opens.”