South Australian Councils recently backed key recommendations for the future direction of waste management in the State at the Local Government Association (LGASA) President’s Forum in Adelaide. Approximately 100 Council representatives from across South Australia attended the forum.
The 27 recommendations, which were part of an independent report by consultant Bill Cossey, include the need for education programs, refinement of data collection, contracts and shared services, governance and regional strategies. There was also a need for support from the South Australian Government to look at strategies for diversion and recycling that minimise financial impacts on ratepayers.
LGASA Executive Director, Wendy Campana, said that waste management is a fundamental role for Local Government, but it is now also a big cost item for Councils. She said it represents approximately ten per cent of Councils’ operating costs – almost $100 million per year.
“Local Government has made a very successful transition from just a rubbish collector to providing leadership in achieving important environmental objectives and targets,” Wendy Campana said. “This includes diversion of waste from landfill, which could not have been achieved without community support.
“We have positioned ourselves to be major contributors to the South Australian Strategic Plan target, which aims for a reduction of 75 per cent of waste to landfill by 2014. We have achieved significant inroads into this target (approximately 55 per cent), but this achievement has been at a cost to Councils and to our communities.”
Wendy Campana said the Cossey Report supports concerns that compliance with Landfill Guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency would come at significant cost. It also confirms that the major metropolitan challenge is how to get kitchen scraps from landfill into green organic waste bins.
“Local Government is seeking to take a leadership role and the strategy based on the report will provide a blueprint for us to talk with State Government about how we work together to meet the challenges,” Wendy Campana said. “Local Government has undertaken comprehensive education and information programs to assist our communities to recognise the importance of waste management, the importance of recycling and the importance of removing green organic waste from ordinary rubbish, which reduces the impact on landfills.
“Communities have responded enthusiastically.”
Wendy Campana said that Councils are continuing to support new waste initiatives. She said country Councils are exploring regional approaches to waste management and 24 metropolitan Councils are seeking information regarding pilot studies on removing food scraps from South Australia’s landfill operations.
A draft implementation strategy, incorporating the 27 ‘Future Directions for Waste Management’ recommendations, will now be prepared for consideration by LGASA’s State Executive Committee.
For further information contact Mary Ann Stenberg at LGASA on 0428 834 376.
