Resource recovery priorities for Gippsland
Across the state, the waste management and resource recovery sector is in transition, experiencing challenge and opportunity and Gippsland is well positioned to capitalise, adapt and innovate.
To help deliver the region’s priorities when it comes to maximising resources and minimising waste, Resource Recovery Gippsland and the Gippsland Local Government Waste Forum are collaborating in the review of the region’s Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan.
The Forum membership consists of Councillor representation from all six Gippsland councils and is supported by respective technical and engagement staff. To focus efforts to improve the performance of the waste sector, the Forum welcomed the involvement of Directors and staff from Resource Recovery Gippsland to its October meeting.
A key message reinforced at the joint meeting was the Forum’s role as a conduit that enables local government to inform and advise state government agencies on their waste and resource recovery priorities.
“In coming together as a regional forum, issues, priorities and opportunities important to Gippsland can be considered, discussed and presented to state government through a number of channels including this key regional implementation plan,” confirmed Forum Chair Cr Dale Harriman.
The opportunity to consolidate the key priorities in the plan is timely given the growing local, national and global interest and action in minimising waste and maximising resources.
According to Cr Dick Ellis, chair of the Resource Recovery Gippsland Board, feedback from the Forum indicates that the region’s waste management and resource recovery sector is heading in the right direction when it comes to the priorities outlined in Gippsland’s Implementation Plan.
“Having the opportunity to reflect on what’s been achieved by the sector in Gippsland over recent years, and identifying the areas in need of further attention, means we can be confident in the region’s capacity to move forward strategically, economically and sustainably.”
An area of priority endorsed by the Forum was the strengthening of education and community engagement to help reduce the contamination of household recycling. The implementation of continuous improvement actions that enhance performance, compliance and innovation to better deliver public health, economic and environmental outcomes at existing waste management facilities was also ratified.
Identifying infrastructure and markets that support local solutions for the recovery and processing of materials in Gippsland, and the utilisation of quality and reliable data sets to inform planning, evidencebased decision making and action, were also put forward as priority areas for the region.
Mr Harriman concluded, “Confirming these areas of priority as key deliverables in the Gippsland Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan for the next one to two years will result in environmental and social outcomes that are essential to the region moving toward a sustainable, circular economy.”
Resource Recovery Gippsland is one of Victoria’s seven waste and resource recovery groups and works with local councils, state government, industry and business, communities and schools to support the region’s journey in maximising resources and minimising waste.
The Environment Protection Act 1970 establishes a Local Government Waste Forum to support the effective operation of Resource Recovery Gippsland. Each Gippsland council nominates a Councillor as a Representative to the Forum. In addition, a council may nominate a senior staff member as an Advisory Member to the Forum.
Forum Objectives 1. Develop the capacity of local government to deliver effective, efficient and sustainable waste and resource recovery planning and management across the region.
2. Assist Resource Recovery Gippsland, Department of Environment Land Water and Planning and other environment portfolio partners to engage with the six Gippsland councils in the planning and management of waste.
3. Nominate four members to the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water for appointment to Resource Recovery Gippsland’s Board of Directors, in accordance with the EP Act.