Provide your feedback on Council’s vision for managing waste
Published on 03 July 2023
Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting the community to provide feedback on its draft Waste Management Strategy 2023-2033.
Currently, Council’s waste management services include kerbside bin collection, the operation of two transfer stations, street sweeping, providing and managing bins in public spaces and reserves, and the collection and processing of litter and items illegally dumped.
The new draft strategy proposes a high-level vision for Council’s waste management services for the future, with a focus on reducing, reusing and recycling waste.
It has been developed in response to ongoing changes in the waste sector, directives from Recycling Victoria, and feedback from community members in Council’s Community Waste Reference Group, which was established in December 2021.
The strategy is guided by four overarching goals and key focus areas, which aim to:
- Reduce the generation of waste
- Increase resource recovery of reusable and recyclable material
- Support a local circular economy
- Minimise the environmental impact of waste management.
Mount Alexander Shire Councillor Gary McClure, Castlemaine Ward Councillor and member of the Community Waste Reference Group, said the strategy would help prepare Council for the changes in the waste industry.
“There’s a lot going on in waste, with the sector going through some major reforms,” said Cr McClure.
“Federal and state policy and legislation is changing, and this will impact the way we collect and manage waste here in the shire.
“Other changes include the increased cost of processing waste and recycling, and more demand for improved reuse and recycling of waste.”
“The draft Waste Management Strategy considers these factors and more, and will enable us to be prepared for the changes that await us.
The strategy will be delivered through annual action plans, developed in consultation with the community and the Community Waste Reference Group.
The annual action plans will provide timeframes, resource requirements and performance assessment direction for Council, with the strategy to be reviewed every four years.
“The strategy will provide a vision and a high-level approach to reducing waste to landfill,” said Cr McClure.
“Next year we’ll be drilling down into the detail on waste, and asking our community about how we can best introduce two new waste streams: glass recycling, and food scraps and garden waste.
“Before we start on any of those more detailed projects though, we want to get the long-term approach right. And that begins with the development of this strategy,” said Cr McClure.
Have your say
Community members are encouraged to view the draft Waste Management Strategy and provide input.
Submissions to the draft Waste Management Strategy close on 31 July 2023.
Council will finalise the draft Waste Management Strategy later this year, with a plan scheduled to go to Councillors for consideration in November.
Council is committed to reducing waste as outlined in the Council Plan 2021-2025(PDF, 4MB) , Council’s Environmental Strategy 2015-2025(PDF, 6MB) , and Council’s Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality 2020-2025(PDF, 4MB) .
For more information contact Michael Scott, Waste Management Officer on 5471 1836 or at m.scott@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.