Time to talk trash

COUNCILS have a diverse range of responsibilities; the City of Greater Geelong claims it has more than 120.

But the key areas councils are judged on have largely remained the same since their inception; roads, rates and rubbish.

However they are largely losing tight control of their core services.

The Labor Government jumped in and introduced a rates cap that aims to curb the worst excesses of ill-disciplined councils. Now they are required to steer the recycling industry through a critical period that threatens to send waste processing into free fall.

The crisis has been triggered by a ban on solid waste by China — our largest export destination — that impacts on more than $500 million worth of materials across Australia.

SKM Recycling, the key contractor for all five Geelong region councils, is threatening to shut its gates if a list of its demands are not met.

The company is worried about potential prosecution from last year’s 11-day Coolaroo fire, and wants taxpayer support to ensure it remains viable in the face of the China ban.

It is difficult to know if the company will follow through with the threat, given their first ‘deadline' passed without consequence last week.

But the Government and the Municipal Association of Victoria are preparing for the worst, with the MAV warning that some councils will be sending recycling straight to landfill. Sending material to other processors is also being explored.

Today’s example of C & D Recycling in Lara shows the inherent dangers involved in stockpiling.

The firm has struggled to find a market for its recyclables, and has admitted it does not have the funds to offset the fire and environmental risks posed by the towering piles of waste.

Any solution to avert the Victorian recycling crisis is likely to come at a cost to the ratepayer. With waste charges exempt from the Government’s rates cap, the price we pay to have our recycling actually recycled is set to be steep.