1. Revised Waste Management Strategy June 2003

2. Mission To plan, develop, provide and manage an environmentally responsible and cost effective waste management system that addresses the needs and expectations of the community and to be generally in keeping with the NSW Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2003 (Resource NSW) targets for reduction in waste to landfill, increasing the recovery and reuse of materials from the waste stream and by aiming to reduce litter and illegal dumping.

3. Objectives Ensuring that future generations are not financially responsible for rectification of any pollution caused by waste from today through appropriate waste and recycling programs and facilities that meet current environmental legislation. To plan for long-term systems to encourage reductions in waste, increased recycling, reuse of materials from the waste stream, a reduction in littering and illegal dumping and sufficient disposal capacity to meet both normal and potential emergency situations.

4. Domestic Waste Collection Objective To provide a collection service that efficiently and effectively removes domestic waste material in accordance with the Service Charter and relevant statutory and regulatory requirements. Strategic Considerations and Planned Variation Retain the current 240-litre domestic service until investigations have been conducted into the potential for a reduction in bin size in conjunction with the provision of a kerbside recycling collection service. Council continues to encourage source separation and voluntary delivery of recycled materials to drop off centres and waste facilities until such time as a kerbside recycling program is instituted (if any). Explore variations to the collection routes where they provide for greater efficiency of service or increased service provision.

5. Domestic Recycle Collection Objective To provide a collection service where the recyclable component of “in house” domestic waste can be collected in accordance with the Service Charter and relevant statutory and regulatory requirements. Strategic Considerations and Planned Variation The NSW Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2003 proposes a target for increasing the recovery and reuse of materials from the current statewide average of 26% to 66% by 2014. While, not quantified, current recycling practices within the shire would be significantly less than the state average. Surveys of ratepayers conducted in the Kempsey Shire have indicated in-principle support for a kerbside recycling program dependant on cost and serviceable area. In the current Budget, Council has allocated funds to begin the improvement of the image currently shown by the drop off centres. In the budget for 2003/4 Council has approved funding for an education programme to be developed for Shire residents regarding the current recycling options, appropriate recyclable materials and reducing the amount of contamination in recycled materials.

6. Strategic Considerations and Planned Variation (cont) The outcome of this programme will be an increase in the amount of recycled materials collected and a reduction in the level of contamination. This will assist in future education campaigns should a kerbside collection service be established. Council should actively pursue an investigation into the financial and physical viability of increasing its recycling capabilities through a kerbside recycling program. The investigation should consider resource-sharing opportunities with member councils of the Mid North Coast Waste Forum (MidWaste). It will also need to consider the long term cost associated with operating Council’s landfill facility and any savings to be made by reducing the volume of waste going to landfill. Financial Implications Consideration should be given to actively funding an investigation into the viability of a kerbside recycling program. Such a program would have a significant long-term impact on capital requirements by extending the life of the landfill.

7. Other Domestic Materials Objective To provide a system where the recyclable components of “out of house” waste can be collected, stored and recycled in a convenient and economic manner and in accordance with Service Charters and relevant statutory and regulatory requirements. Strategic Considerations and Planned Variation The current system provides an opportune method of recycling for the public. Additional education of the residents will improve the use of these sites and the perception of the service. Resource sharing initiatives such as provision of regional steel recycling and concrete crushing services with a view to maximising the price received for this recyclable material are currently being investigated. A regional ‘milk-run ‘ is also being considered for the collection and disposal of hazardous chemicals. The introduction of an education programme will further enhance this service at little cost to the Council. Revenue is gained from the sale of recyclable materials and resaleable items. A regional metals collection should aim to increase the income to Council for such materials. Opportunities for funding grants from Resource NSW will be investigated for what is considered to be initiatives with significant benefits for the environment and public health. This is currently being addressed as a member Council of MidWaste.

8. Trade Waste Collection Objective To provide a trade waste collection service that removes commercial or industrial solid waste in a convenient, competitive and economic manner whilst generating a reasonable return to the Council. Strategic Considerations and Planned Variation Council currently operates this service in a competitive market and is able to continue to offer a competitive service for businesses requiring multiple bins and multiple services. Council service is based on a rear loading truck whilst the competition uses front lift vehicles. The front lift has an advantage in that the operation can be performed in a faster manner and possibly with less risk with respect to OH&S considerations. Council is currently phasing out the rear-loading vehicle for trade collections and implementing a front lift vehicle in its place. A rear loading vehicle may remain in the fleet to also be a back up for the front lift service provided the dual lifting method is retained for the bins. These vehicles are the best type for cleaning up in and after emergency events and therefore are very flexible. This transition is expected to take place in the 2003/04 financial year. Adequate maintenance allowance has been included in the budget for repair, replacement and retrofitting of the current trade waste bins.

9. Receival of Solid Wastes Objective The provision and operation of a disposal site that accepts all wastes generated within the Shire, except for liquid and some hazardous materials, and disposes of it in a manner that meets all environmental, statutory and regulatory requirements, whilst enabling the maximum separation, reuse, reprocessing and recycling of recyclable materials. Strategic Considerations and Planned Variation Council took the step to close all landfills except the current site and provide funds to develop the landfill to meet the stringent requirements of the EPA licence. There is a requirement to gain Development Approval over enough land to provide quality landfill disposal for at least 10-15 years. Improved image, improved operational standards and security of the landfill site will encourage the landfill users to assist the Council to meet its objective and legal requirements. Council has developed an Operational Manual to set out site operational procedures. There are some OH&S issues that cause concern to the Council with its operation – mainly in the mixing of domestic users with trade users and site equipment. Council is developing a Receival Pit (transfer system) to enable domestic users to dispose of their refuse in a separate area that is close to the entrance and all movement will be on paved areas.

10. Transfer Station Provision Objective The provision and operation of sites where residents may take their domestic waste as an alternative to the landfill site. Strategic Considerations and Planned Variation The transfer stations are located at sites of former landfills that were closed when all end point disposals was concentrated at the Kempsey Waste Receival and Disposal Facility off Crescent Head Road. The distance that ratepayers are prepared to travel will dictate the number of Transfer Station sites that should be provided. There is a former tip site located at Gladstone and this may be investigated as a potential site for another Transfer Station. All of the Transfer Station sites are operated under contract. On the 1 st July 2003, Stuarts Point and South West Rocks will return to day labour operation.. There is provision for increasing the income stream to Council through this change.

11. Council Waste Generation Objective To quantify generation rates and composition of wastes generated in all aspects of Shire endeavours and to implement established Cleaner Production methods to reduce the amount of waste ultimately going to landfill through the implementation of recycling and reuse programs and strategies where it is economic to so do. Strategic Considerations and Planned Variation Council is required, as is every other industry and person in the State, to comply with all legislative and regulatory requirements under the Protection of the Environment Operation Act 1997. Community awareness of these requirements is growing and pressure is being placed on Council by Regulators and the community to ensure compliance with the Act. Each activity and job plan is to contain some consideration of the likely waste that may be generated, how this could be avoided or reduced, how the waste may be considered as a resource rather than a waste and how it can be correctly disposed if that is the last option. Council will aim to identify and reduce the use of materials containing toxic substances where physically and financially viable. This will be achieved by moving toward the use of more environmentally sound work methods and materials.

12. Management of Litter Objective To provide a coordinated approach to litter management within the Shire using strategies to address the potential reduction in the amount of litter generated, the management and clean up of that litter and programs to educate the community on the affects of littering based on a triple bottom line (Social, Economic and Environmental) approach. Strategic Considerations and Planned Variation Council has an obligation under various legislations to ensure that litter and unwanted materials do not enter or pollute the waters. There is also a Council desire to have an image of tidiness. Attaining and meeting the legislative requirements is a very labour intensive process and can be seen within the Budget considerations as a non-productive use of rate funds. To address their legislative obligations, many Local Councils within Australia are now installing litter traps (gross pollution traps) on the Council stormwater systems to catch the litter before it reaches the waterways. Council will adopt a proactive litter reduction and management programme for two years (2003/5 budgets) to reduce the volume at source before implementing an ‘end of pipe’ solution. Gross pollution traps will only be installed from 2005 if found to be necessary to meet legislative or community requirements.

13. Management of Litter Council will balance the number of permanent bins at parks and fields, which are also used for unauthorized disposal of domestic and trade wastes, against the provision of more ‘event bins’ to meet specific requirements. Sweeping of the streets and roads, along with regular cleaning of gullies, reduces the amount of litter washed into waterways, reduces local flooding as well as improving the image of the Shire. Council will include litter reduction in the waste management education programme. Council will also cooperate with other Shires to conduct regional ‘anti litter’ programmes to reduce cost to Council, get better quality initiatives and a wider programme coverage. Council will investigate the use of State funded and assisted programmes like the EPA’s ‘Don’t be a Tosser’ and “It’s a Living Thing” campaign. The development of a litter “Hot Spot” program that will address the reporting, clean up and regular monitoring of sites that have been identified as problem areas for attracting illegal dumping and littering. The enforcement of litter provisions and ‘on the spot fines’ for littering are available to the Council. The use of these provisions will be made over specifically publicised events that are part of the education programme. Blatant and recurring breaches will be prosecuted at all times.

14. Waste Education Programs Objective To develop and implement an education programme within the Shire that promotes best environmental practices and strategies that can be economically attained and that also meet the identified expectations and requirements of the community. Strategic Considerations and Planned Variation Council is to undertake a public education programme that will advise all Shire residents of the Works undertaken by the Shire for the community wellbeing. This will include all aspects of waste management. This programme will be conducted in association with other Council Service Providers including library, Water and Sewer services and Community Services. This education programme can also be used for training the internal workforce on community expectations of Council’s approach to environmental and community matters. Council will also liaison with the Education Department, Universities, the private sector and State and Federal government agencies to source alternative funding streams to help with this project.

15. Hazardous Wastes Objective To quantify generation rates and composition of hazardous wastes and implement a collection, acceptance and disposal program within the Shire in conjunction with other regional waste initiatives where it is environmentally safe and economic to so do. Strategic Considerations and Planned Variation Implement the drumMUSTER program, for which the Council has signed a contract to participate.This is due to take place on one weekend in September 2003 at the drumMUSTER compound within the KWR&DF site. Conduct a ‘Household Chemical Acceptance Programme’ in conjunction with the drumMUSTER activity and the coordinated MidWaste chemical collection program. Maintain a register of suitably capable firms that will provide a hazardous waste management service for industry within the Shire. Investigate the viability of regional “milk runs’ for hazardous waste collection and disposal as previously discussed Provide a secure storage and containment unit at the Kempsey Waste Receival and Disposal Facility suitable for small quantities of hazardous materials that may be brought to the landfill from domestic sources.

16. Green Purchasing Objective To set the example for industry and commerce within the Shire in the purchase and use of products containing recycled materials. Strategic Considerations and Planned Variation Council is to prepare and implement a Recycled Material Content Purchasing Policy that requires specifications for purchased products to include a specified recycled material content where they can contain recycled materials. (i.e. 10% recycled materials) Council should also be prepared to accept a cost penalty of up to 5% if a product is recycled or contains recycled material.