2018-06-27 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA   27 JUNE 2018




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SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                              27 JUNE 2018

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   Classification of domestic waste at multi-unit/ mixed use development
   Council supports multi-unit domestic premises, permanently occupied or rented to be
   classified as producing domestic waste, not commercial waste. This should be clarified in the
   legislation and Council entitled to the domestic levy rebate.
   Government also needs to clarify the classification of mixed use development (i.e. shops
   below accommodation units), which are serviced by council’s waste collection contractor.
   Domestic and commercial waste on these development sites are often placed into shared bulk
   waste bins or wheelie bins for collection. It is not possible to separate the waste charges or
   waste volumes at these premises for rating purposes into domestic and commercial. Council
   requests that this waste be recognised as domestic waste if the government is to honour the
   commitment that there will be no direct impact on domestic premises.
   Street litter waste should be exempted from the levy
   Council disagrees with the proposal to impose the levy on Street Litter waste and requests
   this waste stream be exempted or if not exempted treated as domestic waste.
   Many coastal towns and especially Noosa are tourist areas with high influx of visitors who do
   not pay rates and dispose of waste into street litter containers. Council has no ability to charge
   tourists and day trippers for this disposal.
   Further, the government has promised no direct charge on domestic residents. A waste Levy
   applied to Street Litter collected from public place waste bins will impose a direct cost on
   domestic residents as the cost of litter management is presently included within and recovered
   by waste utility charges levied on residents and businesses. The application of the levy on
   street litter will therefore indirectly cause the domestic waste collection charges to rise.
   Bulk waste collection service to be classified as domestic waste collection

   Some Councils including Noosa provide a regular (often annual) bulk waste collection service
   to domestic premises through the waste collection contract. Residents who find it difficult to
   transport bulky items of waste to a disposal facility are entitled to place these large items out
   for collection on the footpath. A large percentage of this waste is recycled such as steel,
   Ewaste, timber or useful items that can be restored and sold through our tip shop. Council
   requests that any residual waste be classified as domestic waste for waste levy application
   purposes.
   Local waste diversion and treatment should be supported as well as regional solutions
   Noosa Council is proud to be an innovator in waste diversion. The recent introduction of a
   mandated green waste service in September 2017 positions council for a future FOGO (food
   organics/garden organic) waste collection service. The council is currently pursuing
   partnerships to explore how organic waste may be processed. These discussions include the
   potential to use an advanced waste treatment facility (anaerobic digester) at a regional sewage
   treatment plant.
   A successful negotiation will enable council to transport organic waste (food waste and or
   mulched green waste) for advanced treatment, to provide a power source (methane from the
   digester) and a valuable compost for sale for agricultural use. This local solution to waste
   treatment has significant benefits compared to long hauling waste for treatment at a distant
   major waste treatment facility proposed by LGAQ.

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