Page 522 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 June 1989
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As a new ACT Government with direct responsibility for both territorial and municipal functions, I believe we are ideally placed to address and develop a long-term waste management strategy which will not only benefit the ACT community but also serve as a model for others.
I am privileged to propose that the Conservation, Heritage and Environment Committee inquire into overall waste management in the ACT addressing the questions of domestic and commercial waste generation, collection methods, disposal options, minimisation and recycling so as to produce a long-term waste management strategy for the ACT.
The examination of hazardous and clinical waste will be the subject of a separate government proposal. There are many extremely important issues which need to be examined, and appropriate responses developed, especially in view of the increasing evidence of the greenhouse effect. I believe that the proposed inquiry is an appropriate forum to address these issues. The terms of reference are broad and will allow input from all sections of the community. It will provide the opportunity to examine ways of reconciling community and industrial needs with protecting the environment and conservation of natural resources.
New technologies in recycling and waste reduction are emerging and strategies need to be developed for implementing them wherever feasible. Waste minimisation needs to be developed as the most effective long-term protection against pollution.
Domestic waste collection in the ACT is undertaken under a contract arrangement. There is one contract for the south of Lake Burley Griffin and seven small contractors covering the north side. The collection service operates twice weekly and uses individual handbins. Contract collections cost approximately $3m per annum.
With the development of new technology for waste collection and greater emphasis on occupational health and safety issues involved in such work, it is appropriate that currently available collection methods be reviewed and recommendations be made for future operation of this municipal service. An important part of this will be the effect such collections will have on recycling. The ACT presently has a recycling program in place which achieves good results in comparison with other areas of Australia, and this should not be put at risk.
With the increasing public awareness of environmental issues and the need to conserve our natural resources, now is the time to stimulate recycling activity to improve on our past performance in this area. There is a need to assess recycling systems in place elsewhere, look at available and developing recycling technology and how this can be employed in the ACT. Uses for recycled products must be identified and their adoption encouraged. This may require government action in legislative terms.
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