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Review of Regional Waste Management Groups

Sustainability Victoria commenced reviewing Victoria's twelve regional waste management groups (RWMG) in February 2009, extending an earlier review of RWMGs started by the Department of Sustainability and Environment in 2007.

The Review of RWMG will set the future directions for regional resource recovery planning and the regional and local implementation of the Victorian Government's waste management strategies and plans as part of the development of an integrated waste management framework across Victoria.
 
The Victorian Government's Sustainability in Action: Towards Zero Waste Strategy (TZW) sets the direction for a more sustainable Victoria. Through the Strategy, Victorians are encouraged to become more aware and innovative in the way products and materials are designed, manufactured, chosen, consumed and discarded.

The Strategy recognises that the majority of waste generation occurs in metropolitan Melbourne and large regional areas (Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo) where opportunities for resource recovery are greater.
 
While Melbourne and large regional centres are expected to exceed the TZW targets, it is acknowledged that rural and regional areas are less likely to meet them due to factors such as waste generation patterns, population density and resource recovery and disposal options. The challenge in regional Victoria is to successfully engage industry and to move beyond recycling to waste avoidance.

Future Directions Paper

As part of the Review of RWMGs, Sustainability Victoria has prepared a Future Directions Paper on the possible future operating structures of RWMGs. The Paper has been released for public consultation and submissions are being sought from RWMGs, local governments, waste industry and community organisations.

The Future Directions Paper presents background information on RWMGs, barriers and opportunities for resource recovery in regional Victoria and proposes a set of future operating models, including a recommendation on the preferred operating structure.

The Future Directions Paper has been influenced by the extensive consultations undertaken with RWMGs, local governments and industry from April to June 2009, as well as the findings from the Hyder Consulting Analysis of Market Drivers and Objectives for Resource Recovery in Regional Victoria: Background Report.

The final Future Directions Paper, including the recommended future structural model, will be presented to the Minister for Environment and Climate Change following the close of the public consultation period. Any structural changes emanating from the Review are expected to come into effect by 1 July 2010.

Background Report

To assist the Victorian Government plan future structural options for RWMGs, Hyder Consulting was commissioned to prepare a report on market factors affecting resource recovery in regional Victoria.
 
The Market Drivers and Objectives for Resource Recovery in Regional Victoria: Background Report provides a market analysis for the recovery of waste in regional Victoria and identifies regional objectives for resource recovery. It presents an understanding of the spatial organisation of waste in Victoria, including from where and how waste materials move across regions and the main waste material types. The report also provides an understanding of the market drivers for the recovery of waste within each RWMG region and has informed the development of the draft Future Directions Paper.

Public Consultation and Written Submissions

A public consultation period will run from 25 August 2009 to 30 November 2009 to provide Victorians with the opportunity to submit feedback on the draft Future Directions Paper.

Sustainability Victoria has met with all RWMGs and also held three public consultation sessions across the state in September 2009. A specific consultation session was also held for local government Mayors and CEOs.

Submissions on the draft Future Directions Paper are due by 5pm on Monday 30 November 2009. Please send submissions to Michelle Ogulin at Sustainability Victoria using the contact details below.

Download the following:

Contact

Michelle Ogulin
Sustainability Victoria
Urban Workshop
Level 28, 50 Lonsdale St
Melbourne 3000

michelle.ogulin@sustainability.vic.gov.au


Top | Last updated 04/11/2009



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