Consultation Opens On ACT Draft Waste Bill

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The ACT Government is seeking industry, stakeholder and public feedback on the draft Waste Management and Resource Recovery Bill.

The proposed legislation will replace the Waste Minimisation Act 2001, aiming to achieve more effective management and regulation of waste collection, recovery, recycling and reuse in the ACT. Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Shane Rattenbury officially opened the consultation into the draft Bill opened on Wednesday (25 November).

With the new Bill, the government looks to ensure legitimate waste industry operators are supported and encouraged to deal with waste in a way that protects the environment and maximises resource recovery. It also aims to discourage inappropriate practices.

The new Bill will introduce new regulations, including licences for commercial waste operators and a waste activity report for licensed operators who trade in waste above a specified threshold.

It also brings in a wider range of punishable offences, as well as stronger enforcement powers to better support agencies to manage waste activity.

Announcing the consultation, Shane Rattenbury said: “The new Waste Management and Resource Recovery Bill has been drafted to help the ACT Government improve its administrative, regulatory and enforcement tools to deliver more efficient waste management.

“The existing Waste Minimisation Act 2001 is almost 15 years old and it is necessary to have modern, comprehensive and robust legislation for waste regulation.

“New charges will apply to transporting and depositing waste. Sending waste to landfill will be strongly discouraged, while recovery and reuse of resources will be rewarded. The new regulatory framework will encourage waste producers to generate less waste, sort waste on site, and send waste to its best reuse option.

“The ACT Government is committed to working closely with the community and business to implement appropriate waste management solutions. Community and commercial reference groups on waste management are also currently being established and will play a valuable role in informing the recommendations provided to government to achieve its resource recovery targets.

Interested parties can provide their comments on the draft Bill by using the ACT Government’s online feedback form or by sending a written submission by email to ACTWasteFeasibilityStudy@act.gov.au. The consultation closes on Wednesday 23 December.

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