AFTER a decade of waiting, the state is one step closer to transforming the Jelutong landfill into the latest piece of prime coastal real estate on Penang island.
The state has signed a joint development agreement with PLB Engineering Berhad through Penang Development Corporation to rehabilitate and redevelop the land.
This is expected to cost about RM1bil.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the 34.39ha plot, which was used as a landfill since the 1970s, had been left to stabilise since 2010.
Now it is ready for rehabilitation and redevelopment.
Only construction waste has been allowed in the landfill since 2010 but in the early days, the stink of municipal waste sent there stunted development in Jelutong.
Chow said the rehabilitation and redevelopment project was expected to take 15 years to be complete, with PLB Engineering Berhad bearing the full cost.
“After its completion, the company will hand over 25% of the rehabilitated land to the state.
“The remaining 75% of the land will be for the company to use, ” he said at a press conference in Komtar.
Chow said that during the process, an additional 2ha to 4ha may be reclaimed to create a perimeter around the landfill.
“The company will need to reclaim land for a perimeter wall and embankment for the working platform.
“The company will surrender 30% of any additional land created to the state.
“For now, the company will need to obtain Environment Impact Assessment approval first which will take nine months to two years, ” he added.
Formed in 1973, PLB Engineering is a public-listed company based in Penang.
It began as a foundry and later ventured into property and civil engineering, construction material manufacturing and waste management.
Since the state will not have a construction waste landfill any more without the Jelutong one, Chow said the company would need to find an alternative site to be used as a construction waste and marine clay landfill.
He said that for now, a temporary landfill site in Pulau Burung would be used as an alternative but the company would need to ensure that a permanent site is found within five years.
Chow added that clay and construction waste could also be recycled.
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Only construction waste has been sent to the landfill since 2010. — Filepic
(From left, seated)Chow, Penang Development Corporation general manager Datuk Mohd Bazid Abd Kahar and PLB Engineering Berhad executive manager Datuk Seri Ong Choo Hoon signing the agreement to rehabilitate the Jelutong landfill. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
The Jelutong landfill (background) will be transformed into prime coastal land in 15 years. – Filepic STAR PIC BY: ZAINUDIN AHAD/ 11 Oct 2014/ Reporter:
