2015-08-24 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   24 AUGUST 2015




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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                                         24 AUGUST 2015

               8.   Ban non-biodegradable plastic bags by 2017
                   Noosa Council should phase out the sale and use of non-biodegradable plastic bags in Noosa,
                   working closely with retailers to “ban the bag”.
                   The Jury felt the recommendation was an important way to minimise contamination of organic
                   waste and raise the profile of the organic collection service.
                   The Jury noted a national trend, with half of Australia’s State’s and Territories already outlawing
                   plastic bags. In 2009, the South Australian Government was the first in Australia to ban single-use,
                   lightweight plastic bags. The Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory followed in 2011
                   and Tasmania passed legislation to ban plastic bags in 2013.
                   In February 2015, the Greens announced plans to ban plastic bags in New South Wales” and in
                   June 2015 the Queensland Government announced it would consider the move’
                   BENEFITS
                   *   Council acknowledges that bags are a big problem for Noosa
                   *   Consistent with national trends
                   ¢   Minimises contamination to ensure high quality products

               9.   Direct commercial food outlets, supermarkets, schools, hospitals, nursing
                   homes and other large producers of organic waste to target zero organic
                   waste to landfill by 2030
                   Residents should not be the only part of the community to be encouraged to divert organic
                   matter from landfill. Council should work closely with large producers of organic waste to help
                   them establish systems that ensure organic waste is diverted from landfill, including performance
                   indicators to demonstrate progress towards targets.
                   This could include:
                   ¢ — linking organic waste management to the assessment process for future development
                       approvals
                   ¢   facilitating partnerships between organic waste producers and organisations (such as
                       secondbite.org) that distribute food to community groups and other end users such as
                       farmers
                   *   onsite composting facilities for individual businesses or co-located businesses
                   If these groups are unwilling to participate, Council should investigate whether by-laws can be
                   passed to ensure their organic waste is reduced.
                   BENEFITS
                   *   Diverts large amounts of organic waste from landfill
                   ¢   Sets equal expectations on commercial and residential community members
                   ¢   Provides food for our community’s most vulnerable residents

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