Input sought for waste strategy

Northern Grampians Shire Council is seeking community input into a new waste strategy.

The strategy will outline council’s waste management program direction for the next five years.

Mayor Kevin Erwin said a survey would include a focus on viewing waste as a resource rather than a matter for landfill, identifying ways to address challenges and encouraging more sustainable options.

He said council was aware of a high-level of community interest in sustainability and the role waste management should play in reducing the region’s environmental footprint.

He said council was eager for the community to drive the strategy.

“We are aiming to collect as many responses as possible to ensure confidence in the accuracy of information as well as the needs and wants of residents,” he said.

“The more survey responses we receive the better we will understand what the community thinks about current services and what they would like to see in the future.

“The information gathered will then be used to develop and implement the waste strategy on behalf of our community.”

Cr Erwin said the shire’s current waste management program included kerbside collections, transfer stations, public place waste management and community education.

He said more than 4000 tonnes of municipal waste and 1200 tonnes of recycling were processed from residential and public litter bins and transfer stations across the shire each year.

Cr Erwin said people can provide input on the new strategy through an online survey at www. ngshire.vic.gov.au.

“A printed version of the survey will be available at customer service counters at Stawell and St Arnaud council offices,” he said.

Surveys will also be inserted into The Weekly Advertiser and other regional newspapers.