2016-03-07 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                 7 MARCH 2016


Currently Council recycles 35% of its domestic waste stream. The Act stipulates that this amount
is to increase to 55% by 2024.

The main strategy which Council will implement to reduce the amount of waste to landfill over the
next three years is the introduction of a mandated Garden Organics Waste Collection Service to
the urban areas of the Shire. It is estimated that this will increase the percentage of domestic
waste which is recycled to 42% by 2018, at which point Council will need to review its Plan in
accordance with the Act.

Previous Council Consideration

Ordinary Meeting, 27 August 2015, Item 1, Page 8
That Council note the report by the Manager Waste and Environmental Health to the General
Committee dated 24 August 2015 and Attachment 1, “Noosa Community Jury’s Verdict –
Findings and Recommendations on the Best Way to Minimise Organic Waste to Landfill”, and:
A.   Thank the Community Jury members for participating in the Community Jury Process, for
     their dedication and time attending meetings, researching material and finalising their
     Report and Recommendations to Council;
B.   Agree in principle to the introduction of a mandated Garden Organics Waste Collection
     Service to urban areas of Noosa Shire and refer the proposal to a Council workshop to
     determine details of who would receive the service, how the service would be implemented
     and timing for its introduction;
C.   Agree in principle to the introduction of a future Food and Garden Organic waste collection
     service to sections of the Noosa Community and refer the proposal to a Council Workshop
     to consider who would receive the service, how it would be implemented and timing for its
     introduction;
D.   Agree in principle to a ban on single use non-biodegradable plastic bags in Noosa and
     refer the proposal to a Council Workshop to determine how this might be implemented; and
E.   Agree with the Jury recommendations regarding the need for a comprehensive community
     education and information campaign to accompany the introduction of any significant
     changes to the waste collection services currently provided by Council.


Finance & Risk

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan is a legal requirement that directs the Council’s actions
for the future management of waste. The Act sets targets for meeting compliance with the State
Government waste strategy but no penalties are currently proposed for failure to meet the target
waste diversion rates by 2024.

The current operations for waste reduction at the Noosa Landfill generally exceed the State
Government targets with the exception for diversion from the domestic waste stream.

In those cases where Noosa already exceeds the diversion targets (e.g. Construction and
Demolition Waste which currently has a 99% diversion rate) it will be business as usual and
implementation of the Plan will not require any additional cost.

There will be a cost to increase the recycling rate for domestic waste particularly with the
introduction of a mandated garden waste service, with this service being estimated to cost
residents approximately $50 per annum. The true costs of introducing a green waste service not
being known until tenders for the new waste contract are received and evaluated in late 2016.



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