Macedon Ranges council is pushing for the federal government to introduce Australia-wide reforms to address the current recycling crisis.
Mayor Jennifer Anderson and acting chief executive officer Dale Thornton will use a trip to the Australian Local Government Association’s national assembly in Canberra next week to push for a national solution.
They will ask the association to advocate for the government to hold an inquiry into the future of the waste and recycling sector and to review current practices.
The council also wants the government to invest in supporting market development, technologies and local industries to create a viable recycling industry.
“The changes in the recycling industry where offshore processing costs and requirements have increased dramatically has highlighted that this offshore solution is not sustainable and has had a huge impact on local councils,” Cr Anderson said.
“Waste and resource recovery is not just a local problem, or a state problem, it’s a national issue.”
The council’s call follows the revelation that it had to pay an extra $233,000 for its recycling services this year as a result of the recycling crisis.
The council is negotiating a new contract for waste collections and is considering increasing its waste service charge.
