Infrastructure Victoria will provide advice to government on infrastructure required to support changes to recycling and resource recovery in Victoria.
Infrastructure Victoria is now seeking submissions from waste sector stakeholders.
Infrastructure Victoria Chief Executive Officer Michel Masson said the request comes at a time of significant change for the waste industry.
“Recent changes in the global market for recycled products mean there are flow-on impacts for how Victoria collects, sorts and exports waste,” Mr Masson said.
“With these changes come both challenges and opportunities, and we are pleased to be able to explore these as part of our advice to the government.”
Mr Masson said Infrastructure Victoria will undertake comprehensive engagement with community and stakeholders to develop the advice.
“Hearing from industry, local government and the community will be essential,” Mr Masson said.
“We will build on the substantial amount of work that already exists or is being progressed to support Victoria’s waste management, and will ensure our advice takes account of community attitudes and expectations.”
Mr Masson said advice will be based on projections of future waste streams and projected trends in population growth.
“In framing this advice, Infrastructure Victoria will also take note of specific implications for regional Victoria,” Mr Masson said.
Infrastructure Victoria is seeking advice on infrastructure required to:
— Develop Victoria’s re-processing sector for recycled material, particularly those that rely heavily on overseas markets.
— Better enable the use of products containing recycled materials in a variety of Victoria industries such as manufacturing, construction and agriculture.
— Support a waste to energy sector that priorities the extraction of recyclable material and recovers energy only from residual waste.
— Support organics recycling though front end infrastructure requirements and trade-off opportunities.
Infrastructure Victoria will deliver advice to government in April 2020. An interim report will be provided in October 2019.
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