Macedon Ranges council has called for better, more innovative solutions to cut waste and recycle – and is urging development of a regional organics waste processor with its neighbours.
It also called for a new tip in the shire, as part of its feedback to the Loddon Mallee Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Group’s implementation plan, which is now out for public comment.
In a report to the council’s July meeting, officers highlighted a number of shortfalls in the plan and called for it to be revised to account for the specific needs and opportunities in the Macedon Ranges which they claim have not been adequately addressed.
“This will mean no change is possible from our current practices,” their report said.
“There are no economically feasible options for disposal of council’s waste within the Loddon Mallee region.
“The plan should identify landfill options for council’s municipal waste, regardless if it is within the Loddon Mallee region or outside the region. Currently, council does not have access to any landfill site within the shire boundaries.
“The waste generated from the municipality is taken to metropolitan landfill,” it stated.
The regional plan sets out how waste and resource recovery in the region will be managed over the next 10 years.
The need for a regional solution to manage food waste has been identified as a priority.
There are no processing facilities in the region to deal with the 7600 tonnes of food organics waste per year at present.
That is expected to grow to 63,300 tonnes of food waste annually when councils introduce kerbside collections.
Organic waste currently collected from Loddon Mallee councils is usually disposed of outside the region.
The officers’ report also stated that Macedon Ranges council cannot participate in the Detox Your Home program because of a lack of infrastructure to legally dispose of paints and oils.
The plan can be viewed online at www.lmwrrg.vic.gov.au.
Submissions close on Friday, August 12.
