The Australian and Northern Territory governments have announced the biggest single investment in recycling infrastructure in the Territory.
Under the national Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF), the two governments will invest $11 million in new recycling infrastructure ensuring more access to recycling opportunities in remote and regional areas.
Sussan Ley, Federal Minister for the Environment said the announcement focused on addressing the imbalance of recycling opportunities across parts of the country, with $7.2 million funding a new Materials Recovery Facility in Katherine.
“The Morrison Government wants to ensure that people in the Territory have access to recycling facilities, particularly, in this case, for glass, tyres, plastic and paper,” Ley said. “The Katherine Materials Recovery Facility will meet the needs of areas that are currently without access to recycling facilities.”
Eva Lawler, Northern Territory Minister for Environment said the NT will use the remaining funding to open a $3.8 million grants program, focusing on new recycling and recovery infrastructure.
“The Territory Government is committed to protecting the environment and creating opportunities to grow the Territory’s economy by turning waste into a valuable commodity,” Lawler said.
“Investment of $11 million in recycling infrastructure will see all levels of government, industries and community working together to transition the Territory into a circular economy.
“We will create opportunities to grow local business focusing on keeping waste out of landfill and recycling our waste into valuable commodities.
“This co-investment with the Commonwealth to modernise recycling infrastructure is a key initiative of the Territory’s draft Circular Economy Strategy.”
Trevor Evans, The Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management said that the Australian Government is pushing to have more territorians given access to the waste and recycling facilities enjoyed by Top End residents.
“The challenge is to drive improvement without economies of scale and inevitably the solutions will involve innovative technology and carefully targeted investments,” Evans said.
“Today’s announcement will allow the Northern Territory to increase its recycling infrastructure, as it seeks to overcome the difficulties that come with a small and dispersed population affected by seasonality.”
The RMF is part of the Australian Government’s $1 billion transformation of Australia’s waste and recycling industries.
The $190 million Recycling Modernisation Fund investment, along with measures to support Australia’s National Waste Policy Action Plan, will create approximately 10,000 new jobs all around Australia over the next ten years. Additionally, 10 million tonnes of waste will no longer go to landfill.
For further information, visit: www.environment.gov.au/protection/waste/how-we-manage-waste/recycling-modernisation-fund
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