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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   Self-haul domestic waste

   Noosa requests confirmation that self-haul domestic waste be included in the calculations for
   assessment of the 105% rebate for domestic waste. Any application of the waste levy without
   a rebate will result in an increase in household waste disposal costs which is in conflict with
   the stated objective of no direct impact on domestic waste.
   Council’s waste contractor collects domestic and commercial waste in the one vehicle

   The government needs to recognise that Noosa Council’s waste contractor collects a mixture
   of domestic and commercial waste in the same vehicle. This poses some challenges regarding
   the calculations of the percentage of domestic and commercial waste being collected and how
   to impose the levy with regard to the domestic waste volume which is subject to the advance
   financial payment by the government. This matter needs further exploration, as requiring
   separate collection of domestic and commercial waste will result in collection inefficiencies in
   high profile tourist areas and higher contracted collection costs thus resulting in an increase
   in household waste disposal costs.
   Development timelines for introduction of the levy
   The speed of the introduction of the waste levy has been a source of concern for local
   government given its ability to only set utility charges once a year. Local government has a
   significant task in preparing for the levy commencing 1 January and clearly requires the
   appropriate legislation and methodology for implementation to allow appropriate time for
   adoption of the levy. Councils require significant time for:
   °    Revision of the levy costs and adjustment of revenue statements for utility charge
        changes
   °    Staff submissions to Council meetings and adoption of Council resolutions
   °    Adjustment to fees and charges schedules by resolution
   e    Amended signage at disposal facilities
   °    Communications to inform stakeholders, contractors and residents to prepare for paying
        the new charges
   °    Identification of commercial and domestic premises in council systems and applying
        increases in the waste collection charges
   °    Implementing changes to IT systems to facilitate communication between Local
        government disposal sites and state government recording systems
   The state government must give local government ample time to prepare for the levy and
   provide at least 3 months’ notice of approved policy and enabling legislation.
   Supervised rural transfer stations with no weighbridge
   Noosa Council has two supervised rural transfer stations that do not have a weighbridge and
   receive both domestic and commercial waste. How does the government propose that a
   suitable charge be levied at these facilities given the facility does not have a weighbridge for
   weighing waste and the levy to be imposed is calculated by weight ($70 per tonne)? This
   needs to be clearly articulated in the enabling legislation or accompanying policy.
   Exempted waste
   Council agrees with the list of waste material that will be exempted from the levy but asks that:
   °    Street litter be included as detailed elsewhere in this submission.
   °    Non-recyclable waste left at CDS collection facilities be included as exempt.

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