2016-08-09 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                 9 AUGUST 2016


4.   SYSTEMS & PROCESSES

Environmental
WMS has now received approval for its Receiving Environment Monitoring Program (REMP) for
Eumundi Road Resource Recovery Centre from the Department of Environment and Heritage
Protection (EHP) and has commenced its implementation. Initial tests have shown that waters
external to the site have not been adversely affected by landfill operations.
During the 2016FY WMS officers started conducting comprehensive monthly environmental
audits on the operation of the landfill and the environmental management systems utilised by the
contractor. This allowed minor defects to be highlighted and rectified quickly.
WMS have identified potential problems with the automated flocking system of the landfill’s
sedimentation basin. Quotes are currently being sourced to upgrade the system to one that is
more suitable to the needs of the site. In addition to this WMS will be installing a real time
monitoring system at the exit point of the basin that can be accessed remotely by officers and will
notify them immediately if any issues are detected.
At the time of writing WMS are conducting an investigation into point source emissions of
methane at the Eumundi Road landfill. Officers are working closely with contractors and EHP to
ensure that issues are dealt with quickly and effectively. A comprehensive capping plan for
affected areas that meets contemporary standards has been required from the contractor and it
is anticipated that this will address future methane issues in these areas.
WMS have recently been working closely and providing detailed information to the Zero
Emissions Noosa team. A baseline assessment of the landfill facility is underway and WMS
looks forward to working with the team on the next phase which will seek to reduce emissions.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
In early 2016 WMS produced a draft Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan. Council adopted the
plan in June, 2016. The plan was drafted to comply with state government requirements and
reflected the recommendations of Noosa’s first Community Jury. It was slightly amended
following a further public consultation phase in May, 2016 which generated additional feedback
from the Noosa community.

5.   FUTURE DIRECTION
   It is anticipated that the tendering process and the award of the waste collection, disposal
     and resource recovery contracts will be completed by the end of December 2016. The
     following nine months will then see the mobilisation of these contracts and the production
     and implementation of a comprehensive contract management plan. The contract will
     commence at the start of September 2017. The specifications of the new contract will
     ensure that Noosa Council are able to offer improved recycling services to residents and
     industry and introduce mandatory green waste bin collection to residents.
   From early 2017 the Towards Zero Waste campaign will focus on promoting the mandatory
     green waste bins that are to be introduced in September 2017. It is anticipated that this will
     be a significant behavioural change management project.
   WMS will in the next six months produce and implement a Litter Management Plan for the
     Noosa Council.
   WMS will further review the future options for the delivery of the bulk kerbside collection
     and provide a report to Council.
   WMS will review the current service to recover and re-use useful items at the Eumundi
     Road Resource Recovery Centre and potential future options for social procurement. The
     current agreement with Briteside approaches its expiration in August 2017. WMS are also
     looking at potential improvements at the site to enable the public to drop off useful items
     before crossing the weighbridge (i.e. they will no longer be charged for depositing
     potentially useful items).

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