Broad interest in waste reform
The Waste Reform Discussion Paper released in August has generated widespread interest across the waste and resource recovery sector.
Reforming Waste Management – creating certainty for an industry to grow – focused on the key issues faced by the waste management and resource recovery industry.
This included regulatory options to achieve a better and more equitable industry, reduce environmental risk in a cost-effective way and to further promote safe resource recovery through innovative change ideas.
Around 120 representatives from local government, waste disposal and recycling operations took part in a series of discussion sessions and one-on-one meetings during the consultation period to hear about the regulatory reform options and seek more information.
This was followed up with 38 formal written submissions to document wide-ranging views on the positive and negative impacts of the various options and to offer the EPA further insight in the way waste and recovered resource materials are currently being managed across the state.
The most topical items discussed were mass balance reporting, upfront levy liability, illegal dumping and the waste levy.
The EPA is now reviewing submissions and preparing a formal response with resourcing needs to be considered by the Government.
Further targeted consultation will take place for approved legislative amendments and the high-level concepts that are pursued.
A high level advisory group representing the waste industry, local government, Renewal SA, the Conservation Council, KESAB, Greening Industries SA and the EPA will also continue to provide valuable strategic advice.
The EPA thanks those who participated in the consultation sessions, especially those who travelled long distances to the regional centres and looks forward to more discussion to progress the reform agenda.