Comment sought on waste

Community members will have an opportunity to comment on the region’s plan to better manage waste materials over the next 10 years.

Gippsland Waste and Resource Recovery Group has declared a war on waste through the release of a plan to better manage the materials we discard in Gippsland.

The GWRR Implementation Plan, endorsed by Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, sets a vision for the necessary waste and resource recovery infrastructure and services that will improve the way we manage waste in our region.

Residents will have an opportunity to hear more about the plan at an information session in Warragul on August 2.

GWRRG board chair Dick Ellis said the plan brought with it significant opportunities for new jobs and investment in the region.

“This plan supports growth in major employment sectors such as food and fibre (agriculture), manufacturing, tourism, health and human services,” Cr Ellis said.

Gippsland’s population is projected to increase by more than 62,000 people over the next 15 years.

This plan addresses the impacts this significant growth will have on infrastructure and services in the region.

“It is well recognised that the western part of the region is, and will continue to experience some of Victoria’s highest population growth. “This growth puts pressure on infrastructure and services and this plan aims to support this rapid growth through provision of appropriate infrastructure.

“We will continue to work with local government, industry and other stakeholders to now implement the priority actions outlined in the plan,” he said.

Cr Ellis said the plan would achieve greater material recovery, drive innovation in infrastructure and service delivery, facilitate continuous improvement and enhanced performance of waste and resource recovery infrastructure and systems, and coordinate proactive planning to reduce undesirable impacts to public health, the environment and neighbouring land users.

“This plan also acknowledges the challenges created by climate change and how we can support industry and community to combat the impacts it may have on service delivery, infrastructure and community resilience,” Cr Ellis said.

The Gippsland Implementation Plan is one of seven regional implementation plans that will provide an understanding of their region’s current waste infrastructure, environmental and financial performance, projected waste volumes, urban growth and industry demands.

The alignment to the 30 year state infrastructure plan creates certainty of direction for those wishing to invest in this space.

The Warragul information session will be held at the Warragul RSL, Albert Rd, Warragul between 10am and 11.30am.

For a copy of the Gippsland Implementation Plan or for details about an information session near you visit: www.rightcycle.com.au.