NWRIC State Associations update: September

National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) State Affiliates provide a detailed overview of industry and policy changes across the country.

NWRIC is the national industry body for commercial waste and recycling operators Australia wide.

It brings together national businesses and affiliated state associations to develop and promote policies and actions to advance waste management and resource recovery in Australia – ensuring a fair, safe and sustainable industry that serves all Australians.

NWRIC affiliated state associations include the Waste Recycling Industry Queensland (WRIQ), the Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association of NSW & ACT (WCRA), the Victorian Waste Management Association (VWMA), the Waste Recycling Industry of South Australia (WRISA), the Waste Recycling Industry of Western Australia (WRIWA) and the Waste Recycling Industry Northern Territory (WRINT).

NSW – WCRA – SAFTEY AWARENESS AROUND HEAVY VEHICLES

WCRA’s WHS Group recently met and discussed concerns relating to safety issues around the interaction by members of the public with heavy collection vehicles.

In particular, the Group has concerns about the lack of awareness of the general public on the safe turning circles and stopping distances required by these large waste and recycling collection trucks.

These concerns have been aggregated by reviewing video footage from front and rear facing cameras on a range of different collection trucks.

It should be noted that the waste management sector is the only part of the heavy vehicle sector that visits every household and every business on a regular weekly basis.

The Group agreed that there is a strong need for a NSW/ACT wide education media campaign to raise the public’s awareness on truck turning circles and stopping distances.

For more information on WCRA’s WHS Group please e mail projects@wcra.com.au or call 02 9604 7206

QLD – WRIQ – GETTING READY FOR THE STATE ELECTION ON 31 OCTOBER

WRIQ has today released its Election Manifesto 2020 – The untapped potential of waste in Queensland.

The manifesto outlines WRIQ’s vision for a thriving, safe, smart, and sustainable sector, future directions and pathways to make Queensland the waste management and resource recovery a hub of the future.

Mark Smith, WRIQ’s CEO in releasing the Election Manifesto 2020 said “the waste and resource recovery industry touches every part of the Queensland economy. We are an essential service that continues 24/7 even during the pandemic. Our role if anything has become more vital during the pandemic to support communities and business as the economy adapts and transitions.”

Our members invest hundreds of millions of dollars into the economy annually and we support close to 12,000 Queensland jobs. Members invest into the economy through wages, machinery, equipment and vehicles and infrastructure. But our members also invest in people with training and skills development.

The sector is poised for greatness and WRIQ’s ask to the major parties is, help us help you create the most progressive and thriving waste and recycling sector in the country.

With the right government interventions and support, we will make Queensland a centre of excellence and expertise which is essential as Queensland will be competing with interstate jurisdictions for capital to build and expand Australia’s waste and resource recovery capabilities on the back of COAG waste export bans.

NT – WRINT – TIME FOR LEGISLATIVE REFORM

In the lead up to the recent territory election, the WRINT provided all major parties with copies of the industry’s economic contribution report and ‘Pathways for Change’ policy plan. Responses were received from all proponents to those papers.

The newly elected Gunner Government’s response, in broad terms, outlined four key commitments. The pivotal commitment being to continue with reforms in overhauling the territory’s Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998 into a fully functioning Environmental Protection Act 2019.

WRINT has advocated any reforms to the outdated legislation must include wholesale changes to the regulatory framework under which industry operates.

Other commitments include implementation of the National Waste Policy Action Plan, including the upcoming export bans on waste glass, plastics, tyres and paper and an improved national waste tracking system.

WRINT will convene a meeting with the Minister once government is confirmed to discuss the legislative timetable and other commitments outlined in the Territory Labor party’s response.

VIC – VWMA – CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME OPTIONS UNDER DISCUSSION

The VWMA has been actively engaging with the Victorian Government’s stakeholder group on options for the proposed container deposit scheme.

It is expected the Victorian government will release a discussion paper for public consultation in the coming weeks.

Discussions have focussed on the scope of eligible containers, community access to collection points, MRF protocols and revenue sharing, handling fees, scheme administration and governance.

The VWMA will continue to engage with members to ensure their views are represented to government.

Members are encouraged to contact Alex Serpo, VWMA Executive Officer alex@vta.com.au.

This article is the fourth in an ongoing monthly series.

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