2017-04-11 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    11 APRIL 2017


REPORT
1.   Purpose of this report

This report is provided in response to the Council resolution of 15 December 2016 for staff to
develop a policy for the provision of a 3 bin waste collection service (including a garden waste bin
serviced fortnightly) to single unit dwellings and duplexes from 1 September 2017, in the urban
areas of Noosa and to continue the current optional garden waste service to other premises within
the region.

The draft Garden Waste Recycling Service Policy is attached to this report for consideration by
Council.

2.   Purpose of the Garden Waste Recycling Service Policy
The attached policy is designed to:
   Guide the introduction of the garden waste recycling service;
   Specify who receives the service and the locations where the service is to be provided; and
   Honour the undertakings given to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
     (ACCC) regarding anticompetitive behaviour and minimising the impact upon service
     providers who currently provide a garden waste collection and disposal service as part of
     their business.

3.   Objectives of introducing the 3 bin service to domestic premises and duplexes
The reasons for the introduction of a garden waste recycling service to the Noosa community in
September 2017 are summarised as follows:
1.   Currently the general waste bin is estimated to contain approximately 49% organic waste
     most of which is garden waste.
2.   Implementing a garden waste recycling service will assist Council to achieve the objectives
     of the State Government’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Legislation that requires a 55%
     reduction of domestic waste to landfill by 2024.
3.   Organic waste buried in the landfill generates methane which is a greenhouse gas impacting
     on the environment. The landfill is the most significant generator of greenhouse gasses of all
     Council’s activities.
4.   Removal of garden waste from disposal to landfill extends the life of the landfill and defers
     the cost impacts on the community of providing new disposal cells earlier than necessary.
5.   The State Government has indicated that it intends to consider a waste levy similar to other
     States. If introduced, residents would pay a charge to the State Government for every tonne
     of waste buried in landfill, including any garden waste or food waste in the general waste bin.
     Any waste diverted for beneficial reuse through the garden waste recycling bin would be
     exempt from levy charges.
6.   The new 7 year waste management contract which was tendered in 2016 commences on 1
     September 2017.

4.   Competitive Neutrality

Council’s waste management activities (including garden waste recycling services) are deemed to
be a significant business activity. The requirements of the Waste Reduction and Recycling
Regulations 2011 state that the requirements of the Local Government Act in relation to business
reform and competitive neutrality apply.



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