1 Presentation from public consultation meetings held 21 April – 1 May 2009

Overview  November 2008 Australian environment ministers agreed to develop a national waste policy to provide a coherent, efficient and environmentally responsible approach to waste management in Australia  The Australian Government is leading the process  A taskforce has been formed in the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts to consult widely and develop a draft national waste policy

The last statement of national waste policy  1992 National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) agreed by Council of Australian Governments (COAG)  Included national approach to waste minimisation and management “To improve the efficiency with which resources are used and reduce the impact on the environment ofwaste disposal, and to improve the management of hazardous wastes, avoid their generation and address clean-up issues.”

Since 1992…  All Australian governments have introduced a range of legislative and policy instruments for waste management and resource recovery which work towards COAG’s objectives  The evolution of policies, legislation and programs across jurisdictions over the last decade or more has resulted in a diversity of approaches across Australia

State and territory role (Please note, further state/territory specific information can be found at the end of this presentation)  All States and Territories have waste strategies and legislation to protect the environment and conserve natural resources  A wide variety of measures have been adopted

 A lot has changed institutionally, socially, economically and in our environment  Sustainability needs increasing –Climate change –Water scarcity and quality –Energy conservation  Seamless National Economy (COAG 2008)  Time to consider where next with national waste policy The 1992 COAG agreement still stands but..

Waste generation is increasing…  Waste generation up by 28 % 2002/03 to 2006/07 - from 32 to 41 million tonnes  Even with the significant increase in recycling - 49% of the waste we generate is diverted into resource recovery activities (2008 Hyder Report)

 Is this level of generation acceptable - how do we decide?  How can (and should) we address this level of waste generation?

Recycling and disposal rates per waste sector in (kilo tonnes) From Waste and Recycling in Australia, Hyder Consulting, 2008 (p. 3)

Predicted growth in generated waste by sector to 2020 From Waste and Recycling in Australia, Hyder Consulting, 2008

Contribution of waste to economy WasteResource Management sector (Source: ABS ) recovery sector 2006 (Source: Australian Council of Recyclers 2009) GDP $1.3 billion (0.2 %) $11. 5 billion (1.2 %) Jobs14,00038,600

Local government role (Please note, further state/territory specific information can be found at the end of this presentation)  Important role as –direct service provider –purchaser of waste services –contributor to aggregated approaches to waste management

Australian Government role  Commonwealth has responsibilities for  international agreements  specific legislation  participation in national activities through the Environment Protection & Heritage Council (EPHC)

National action so far…  Commonwealth activities under international agreements and specific legislation  Regulatory action by all jurisdictions through national environment protection measures (NEPMs) under the NEPC Act  Activities by all jurisdictions under the banner of the EPHC  Voluntary action by business and community organisations

Solutions – where and how to intervene?  How can Australia better capture the value in waste?  What mix of incentives and regulation are needed for the waste management and resource recovery sectors  How can this stimulate innovation, jobs and deliver good environmental outcomes ?

What do we want to achieve? A policy that will:  clearly articulate the objectives of waste management and the respective roles of governments  set out the basis for collaboration between jurisdictions  provide the basis for effective and efficient approaches to domestic waste issues

What do we want to achieve? A policy that will:  ensure that waste management remains aligned with Australia’s international obligations, including the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes  complement the Commonwealth’s approach to climate change and sustainability

Potential benefits  Stimulate economic activity and innovation from our growing waste stream  Create jobs  Improved sustainable management of our resources and materials  Greater transparency and certainty for business and the community  Simplified waste management approaches across Australia

Potential benefits  Reduced regulatory and cost burden on business  Greater awareness of waste related issues and potential solutions  Pursuit of collaborative action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy and water  Capacity to monitor performance of key waste and resource recovery indicators at a national level

Policy development timeline 7 AprilConsultation Paper released 28 April – 1 MayPublic meetings & a stakeholder workshop 13 MaySubmissions close 22nd MayEPHC Meeting – discuss future directions NovEPHC Meeting – agree a national waste policy

How can you contribute?  Share your ideas, insights, knowledge and information at this session.  Make a submission on the national waste policy by 13 May –The consultation paper poses a range of questions to help frame the issues –Send submissions or refer queries to –More information is available at:

22 State, territory and local government roles

State role in Victoria   This diagram summarise the roles and of the state government agencies involved in waste management in Victoria.

Local government role in Victoria   Local governments play an important role in waste management in Victoria in the following ways: – –As service providers (either directly or via contractors) – –As landfill operators (most often in rural and regional Victoria) – –As contributors to best practice approaches to waste management via Regional Waste Management Groups (rural and regional Victoria) or the Metropolitan Waste Management Group (in Melbourne).

State role in NSW   The role of the NSW government is to ensure a healthy and clean environment by reducing impacts on the community and the environment of waste and waste related activities and ensuring the efficient and effective use of resources (energy, water, materials).   NSW does this through a comprehensive regulatory framework and through innovative tools and programs that aim to mitigate impacts from waste disposal, minimise resource use, increase resource recovery and ensure the appropriate disposal of harmful waste.   Regulatory measures include: – –State-wide planning controls – –Licensing of waste and resource recovery premises and facilities – –Providing clear guidelines on waste classifications and exemptions to assist with resource recovery – –Tracking of hazardous waste – –Collection of a waste and environment levy on waste going to landfill in the regulated areas – –Collection and reporting of waste related data – –Prosecution of littering and illegal dumping

State role in NSW   NSW also runs a broad range of waste-related programs, which are aimed at achieving the targets in the state’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy.   Examples of programs include: – –Improving resource recovery infrastructure – –Gathering information to guide priority setting and investment – –Trials of new approaches and recycled content materials – –Working with industries on product stewardship initiatives – –Grants for Councils on litter and illegal dumping and a suite of other programs for Councils – –Providing chemical clean-out services for households – –Support for businesses to tackle waste – –Government leading by example through its Sustainability Policy and Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy – –Sustainable Schools program – –Aboriginal clean up grants

Local government role in NSW  Local Government is primary interface between community (households, businesses) regarding waste management services.  Local Government very influential regarding behaviour change, effective waste management / recycling practice.  Local Government has a great deal of “purchasing power” which can impact waste and sustainability outcomes.  Local Government deals with a wide variety of types of wastes, not just domestic: organic (food and garden), inert, packaging, e- waste, hazardous, home administered clinical, public place, commercial, industrial, illegally dumped waste.

  Local Government operates to best of ability at “end of pipe”, with a limited ability to influence volumes and types of waste that come into the system.   Local Government is firmly committed to the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).   It’s not just about recycling   Local Government waste management is increasingly being used to raise revenue through levies, which should be applied back to waste / environmental initiatives. Local government role in NSW Supportive of a national waste policy, one that delivers

State role in WA   Waste Authority role   Department of Environment and Conservation role   The Waste Strategy: – –Better landfill – –More recycling – –Fostering alternative waste treatment

State role in WA   Tools available – –Funding – Strategic Waste Initiative Scheme; Community Grants Scheme; Regional Funding Program; – –Partnerships, education, information – –Landfill levy – –Regulation in some areas   Tools we lack – –Regulatory tools for product stewardship   Look to the national level for this

Local government role in WA  All Australian governments have introduced a range of legislative and policy instruments for waste management and resource recovery which work towards COAG’s objectives

State role in SA   ZeroWaste SA provides leadership to define policy settings for waste-resource recovery   State Waste Strategy – –Mid term review against Strategy – –Draft strategy being prepared   Five key strategies – –Foster sustainable behaviour – –Avoiding waste to landfill – –Establish effective recovery systems – –Enact policies – –Encourage cooperation   Regulatory (operational and policy) focus by EPA   Draft Environment Protection Policy   Specific reform work for resource recovery sector – –Waste to urban fill; refuse derived fuel; waste to soil enhancer; stockpile management   Regulatory function – state and national requirements (ie NEPMs)

State role in QLD   The Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management is the lead Government department for waste management in Queensland.   Current waste management framework: – –Environmental Protection Act 1994 – –Environmental Protection Regulation 2008 – –Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Policy 2000 – –Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Regulation 2000

State role in QLD   Where is Queensland up to? – –Public discussion paper released in October 2007 – –Consultation summary released in April 2008 – –Annual publication of State of Waste and Recycling Report – –National Packaging Covenant program funding and enforcement of NEPM provisions, including Public Place Recycling – –Internal and external stakeholder working groups established to begin work on definitions – –Department of Public Works Whole-of-Government Recycling Policy for Buildings and Civil Infrastructure   Considerations include… – –New waste strategy – –Strengthening the regulatory framework, including increased regulation and enforcement – –Mechanisms to address data gaps – –Improved management of priority wastes   No waste levy is proposed for Queensland at this stage

Territory role in ACT   TAMS manages waste operations in the ACT   DECCEW manages the policy aspects of waste management.   Recycling has increased from 42% in 1996 to 74% in 2008, primarily from households, and the construction sector.   Waste to landfill has decreased from 252,000 tonnes in 1996 to 207,000 tonnes in 2007/2008.   ‘No Waste by 2010’ is due for renewal.   Opportunities exist in:   commercial and industrial sectors   Organic material   E-waste