Page 2083 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 5 June 2019
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service. This is no small task and will require time to do it properly. I am moving amendments to this motion to reflect the time frame outlined in the waste feasibility study, which recommends that FOGO collections align with the territory’s kerbside collection contract, which is to be renewed in 2023. This time frame also gives the government the opportunity to begin education with businesses and in the community, as the budget has made provision for.
There will also be a need to investigate an appropriate food organics processing facility for the ACT. As outlined in the Food and garden organics best practice collection manual prepared for the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, garden organics can be processed through relatively inexpensive means, while food waste generally requires more expensive technology. Technologies range from vermi-composting, with small piles of organic material provided for worms, to open windrowing, where composting raw materials are turned regularly, which is inexpensive but has odour risks. There are also aerated static piles, in-vessel composting, and fully enclosed composting, just to name a few of the technologies.
We need to consider all of these technologies and their application to the ACT. The first stage in the journey is to effect change through a food waste avoidance education campaign for both the community and businesses. Some of the next stages will involve rigorous research and options analysis to deliver such a service.
I look forward to providing the Assembly with further updates as we continue to work towards a well-designed and effective food organics and garden organics collection and processing service for the territory.
I move:
Omit paragraphs (2)(a) and (b), substitute:
“(a) begin planning for a food organics and garden organics collection service to commence with the Territory’s kerbside collection contract, which is to be renewed in 2023;
(b) begin work to prepare ACT businesses and residents for food organics and garden organics collections through an education program to commence in 2020;
(c) consult with food businesses and charities in the ACT on a ‘zero food waste to landfill’ program involving composting, as well as usable food to be donated to charities such as Ozharvest;”.
MS LAWDER (Brindabella) (10.26): Looking at the motion from Ms Le Couteur today, which is an important motion, made me reflect a bit on what the purpose of government is. Is it to protect residents, enforce the law and champion freedoms? Is it to ensure our children receive a good education and get care in hospital when they need it? Is it to look after you when you most need it? Is it to spruik federal opposition policy? Some people say yes to some of these. Some may say yes to all of them. Some might say no to all of them. But what we are hearing today is that the government is here to tell you to compost your food waste and force you to do that.
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