King Island Council’s innovative waste management project recently took out the overall Gold Award at the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) 2008 Excellence Awards. Council also took out the Sustainable Community Assets Award for its Currie Waste Management Facility.
The Excellence Awards recognise councils that “accomplish those elements that, individually or combined, demonstrate commitment towards excellence for the benefit of Tasmanians”.
LGAT President, Councillor Mike Gaffney, said the Association was delighted to recognise King Island, which demonstrated a proactive approach to providing a sustainable service for the processing of waste generated on King Island.
“Prior to the opening of the Currie Waste Management Facility, all waste received by King Island Council was deposited in an uncontrolled manner at a central site in close proximity to sensitive areas,” Mike Gaffney said. “The new state of the art facility has markedly decreased the potential negative impacts on the local community and environment caused by noise, odour, fires, vermin and litter.”
As a result of the project, waste is now segregated at the facility into putrescibles, inert and recyclable material. The putrescible waste is then delivered to a purpose built shed where it is compacted, baled and wrapped in a protective covering, which minimises odours and restricts loose materials from escaping.
The bales are then transported to a nearby landfill site.
Councillor Gaffney said the new facility also provides opportunities for the effective reuse and recycling of the waste collected.
“The Currie Waste Management Facility is integral to providing a waste management system for King Island that satisfies current State and Federal statutory requirements as well
as community expectations.”
Other Category Award Winners include:
