Environment Minister Stephen Dawson recently called on the community, industry and local governments to participate in a series of workshops, conducted by the Waste Authority and being held throughout WA in February as part of the State’s new waste strategy consultation process.

In 2014-15, on average each Western Australian generated 2,623 kilograms of waste – the second highest rate of waste generation in Australia per capita and 17 per cent above the average of other States and Territories.

The Minister said “Reducing the amount of waste disposed of to landfill can generate significant economic opportunities for the Western Australian community – for every 10,000 tonnes of waste recycled, 9.2 full time equivalent jobs are created compared to only 2.8 jobs when waste is landfilled.  These workshops provide an opportunity for all of us to work together to achieve greater environmental outcomes, create employment and build businesses.”

Chair of the Bunbury Geographe Growth Plan Partnership and Dardanup Shire President, Cr. Mick Bennett, commented that “following Dardanup Shire Council’s decision to sell its refuse site to private enterprise, Council has received several different types of waste to energy presentations and is extremely excited that we have a local company working in this area.  Dardanup hopes to soon be involved with some of our industries within the shire to burn our waste, which will assist in creating jobs and saving others, due to lowering the power costs for industry and sending almost nil to landfill.”

A copy of the State’s ‘Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy’ consultation paper can be downloaded from the Waste Authority’s website.

The general public can also contribute to the review of the waste strategy by attending the Bunbury workshop taking place on Tuesday, February 6 from 5.30pm at the Bunbury Power Boat Club, Lyons Cove, Bunbury.  Community, industry, state and local governments representatives are welcome and encouraged to attend.  To attend a workshop, please register here.

The Waste Authority is also conducting an online survey and seeking public responses.  Submissions close on 1 March 2018.

The Shire of Dardanup are currently running a ‘BYO BAG‘ campaign. From 1 July 2018, lightweight single-use plastic bags will be banned statewide in Western Australia. Implemented by the State Government, the ban will bring WA in line with South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory which already have plastic bag bans in place. Queensland has also committed to a ban from 1 July, 2018.  An information session conducted by Department of Water and Environmental Regulation will be held in Bunbury on Thursday, 15 Feb Bunbury,6pm–7:30pm at the City of Bunbury Function Room, Wittenoom St, Bunbury.