At Tarago some thirty km. south of Goulburn in the New South Wales Southern Tablelands a former open cut mine pit is the site of a land fill project like no other in Australia. Since September 2004 daily train loads of Sydney putricible waste arrive at Tarago in specially constructed sealed containers for depositing at the base of a 250metre deep pit which will take more than fifty years to fill.

Woodlawn mine produced copper, silver, lead and zinc ore between 1975 and 1998 from both open cut and underground mining. Located on the top of the Great Dividing Range this environmentally sensitive area required careful, expert management in order to find a way to rehabilitate the landscape and yet find a practical and economic way to fill the void left from mining.

The site is now owned and operated by Collex, a leader in waste management. Collex is currently developing the world's most advanced bioreactor. Waste will become the fuel for producing considerable volumes of landfill gas to generate green electricity sufficient to power a city of 30,000 people for more than fifty years. In fact, it is estimated that after the hole is finally filled it will produce enough gas (energy) for a further twenty-five years. Coach tourists to Woodlawn have the whole operation explained, including a visit to a viewing platform at the top of the pit.

Reaction to coach visits to the Biorector site have been excellent and the attraction is destined to become very popular as word spreads. Your guide also points out other local historical points of interest, in particular, the World War I 1 Fuel Stores at Lake Bathurst and their relevance to Australia's defence at a time when Japanese naval and air attacks were threatening our security.

In the English-like village of Lake Bathurst visitors can enjoy the pleasant surrounds of the Lavender Garden Tea Rooms where lunch, morning and Devonshire teas are available. For tour packages details contact Lake Bathurst Tours on (02) 4849 4475 or email: lbtearooms@bigpond.com.au All bookings required in advance.
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