Wagin Shire chief executive Len Calneggia said the proposed site, located on the corner of Unicorn Street and Beaufort Road, has been lying idle for about 11 years and would be an ideal compound for cardboard recycling because there was already infrastructure on the site to support it.

“There is still a great deal of cardboard being put to landfill at the existing site which is costing council to cover and is a waste of recyclable resources,” he said.

“At the proposed site there is a shed to keep the cardboard stored and dry, which is a requirement for recycling and there is already power as well.

“If we purpose-built something at the existing refuse site, or looked at alternative sites, we would have to start from scratch which will be a considerable cost.”

Mr Calneggia said it was just a concept at this stage with no definite plans in place.

“The waste management committee needs to make recommendations to the council, which will then be discussed at the council meeting,” he said.

“There needs to be public consultation as well, so we are a fair way off any final decisions.”

Mr Calneggia said any implications on the budget would also need to be looked at but it was more likely a grant would be applied for to buy any necessary equipment.

“I know there are some residents in town who are concerned about the proposed site being used for this purpose which is certainly understandable,” Mr Calneggia said.

“However, it is very much a case of ‘if not there, then where’.

“Everyone thinks recycling is a great concept but nobody wants it ‘in their backyard’, which is understandable too, but is only a concept at this stage.”