Creating resourcesmart communities The recently adopted Waste Management Strategy 2015-2020 by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council in Victoria could signal a shift in local practice.
C
ustomarily waste man-
industry and employment, land use plan-
rent and future trends with transport, local
agement strategies have
ning, water and other resource allocations.
economy, population growth, climate change
dealt with kerbside resi-
Integrating ‘waste’ management into
and resource availability. They cover typical
dential collection, litter
resource management has been part of the
local council waste issues of closed landfills,
and landfill systems. Their
focus of the new Macedon Ranges strategy.
contract management, growing quantities
core principles have been
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is a peri-
of waste, litter and community education.
around public hygiene and efficiency of a
urban council on Melbourne’s north-western
Unusually, there are also three recom-
linear system. However, there is growing
fringe with an agricultural base and town
mendations that involve both the Council
recognition that our traditional approach to
centres such as Kyneton and Gisborne.
Strategic Planning and Environment team
waste collection undermines the value of
Like many regional councils, it is closely
and Economic Development Unit. These
the materials to the Australian community,
connected to its community, environment
teams have responsibility for collecting data,
industry and economy.
and the welfare of its local economy. This
encouraging resource efficiency and market
Recent national and state policies have
is reflected in the three goals which specifi-
pull for local re-use of materials.
been calling for a shift to a circular economy
cally call for integrated resource re-use and
It is hoped that this strategy places the
supported by improved resource recovery
empowerment of the community to reduce
shire in an excellent position for the long
for re-use and reprocessing. These have
waste and increase re-use and recovery.
term, with accelerated resource recovery,
resulted in a number of national and state
There are six underlying principles which
strong local resource recovery businesses
investigations of material streams, market
include typical statements on affordable and
and reprocessing and lower costs through
demand, price and opportunities.
accessible waste and recycling services,
reduced waste transported to distant landfills.
The challenge has been in how to translate
and two that aim to turn Macedon Ranges
The strategy prepared by One Planet
these new policies to practice. Most of the
into a resource smart community:
Consulting (Helen Millicer with David Rako)
grunt work in waste and recycling is done
1. “Recognise the current and future true
was adopted by council in December 2014
at a local level. Local councils oversee the
cost of resources and waste (economic,
following a period of public consultation
largest and most coordinated collection and
environmental and social)”; and
and is available online: Adopted Strategy.
disposal system in Australia. They carry
2. “Manage different ‘waste’ streams as
Special acknowledgement is given to the
responsibility for most landfills, clearing the
resources for specific markets”.
professional work of the council teams, in
litter and dealing with public education and
These flow through to six specific goals
particular Silvana Predebon, in assisting with
habits. However, they have traditionally been
and targets to 2020 as indicators of success-
the preparation and presentation of the plan.
removed from planning for material re-use
ful performance such as: data on materials,
For further information on the Adopted
and reprocessing for new product. And yet,
value and destinations is available to enable
Strategy, visit www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Waste_
most local councils, particularly those in
exchange and investment by community,
Environment/Waste_Recycling/Waste_Strat-
regional areas, are intimately connected to
business and government.
egy_Review.
issues concerning their local environment
The strategy goes on to describe 21
and economy. These issues include local
recommended actions which address cur-
www.SustainabilityMatters.net.au
One Planet Consulting
Apr/May 2015 - Sustainability Matters 25