Victoria’s Towards Zero Waste Strategy and Waste Management Reform SA Local Government Waste Forum 10 February 2006 Jenny Pickles Manager Strategy & Regional Programs

Towards Zero Waste Strategy … Sits under Our Environment, Our Future: Victoria’s Environmental Sustainability Framework Focus: solid waste arising from households and business/industry activities that are non-hazardous and non-prescribed

Strategy context …

Local government achievements … 95% of households with access to kerbside recycling More than 400,000 tonnes collected (>150% increase since early 90’s) Average recycling service cost of $32 per hh pa ($30 metro; $36 rural) Greenhouse savings through recycling of 240,000 tonnes of CO2 (equivalent to taking 40,000 cars off the road)

Local government achievements (contd.) Network of >220 drop off facilities in Victoria – diverting >180,000 tpa Closure of >120 unlicensed landfills

Local government achievements (contd.) Wodonga Resource Recovery and Waste Transfer Facility

Strategy targets … By 2014: 1.5 million tonne less solid waste generated 75% of solid waste recovered for reuse, recycling and/or energy generation 25% improvement in littering behaviours

Sectoral targets … Recovery rate (by weight):2002/ /09 target 2013/14 target Municipal (household) waste35%45%65% Commercial & industrial waste59%65%80% Construction & demolition waste57%65%80% All solid waste streams51%60%75%

What it will mean for Victoria …

What does it mean for local government? Improved waste management systems and infrastructure :- –for garden and food organics (and residual wastes) –for recycling services to small to medium enterprises –at landfills and transfer stations to expand resource recovery AND improve community access to services in remote areas –for public place and event recycling

What does it mean for local government? Product stewardship arrangements for other priority household wastes (hard and chemical wastes) eg: –household and farm chemicals (including paint and oils) –TVs, computers and IT equipment, electrical products –consumer packaging –tyres –batteries

Key challenges for local government … Costs and uncertainties re new waste management technologies Local government role - waste management planning and infrastructure siting Eg - Global Renewables mixed MSW facility at Eastern Creek

Metropolitan Review … Initiated by metropolitan CEOs Ministerial Working Party - November 2004 Aim – develop agreed implementation approach for TZW in metropolitan Melbourne Focus - strategy implementation and efficient metropolitan planning and delivery arrangements. Participants: DSE, EPA, Sustainability Victoria, metropolitan council (CEOs), MAV, VLGA, Regional Waste Management Group Directors (councillors)

Metropolitan Review (contd.) Key Outcomes (March 2005) A single Metropolitan WMG (instead of 4) – role to facilitate metro wide waste management service delivery and economies of scale. Local Government Forum (30 councils) to ensure broad local government engagement - reporting to Metro WMG. Strengthened contracting arrangements including risk management and due diligence – potential public/private partnerships (Metro Group and DTF) FUNDED THROUGH LANDFILL LEVY

Metropolitan Review (contd.) Key Outcomes (March 2005) One 25 year?? Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Plan (instead of 4) – for municipal and industrial wastes (Sustainability Victoria) Stronger linkages between Metro Plan, Victorian Planning Provisions and metropolitan Local Planning Schemes (DSE/SV/Local Government) No changes to non-metropolitan arrangements (remaining 12 RWMGs will continue to plan for and deliver regional services for municipal wastes)

Metropolitan Review - Progress Legislation currently being drafted to go before Parliament in Autumn Session 2006 Metro WMG: –interim Board established –first meeting in February 2006 –manage transition process to new Group to 1 July 2006 –establish arrangements for local government forum Metro Plan – Sustainability Victoria will shortly commence preliminary work on the plan

Further details ….