Adam Gray

NWRIC State Associations update

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

The National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (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).

State Association staff updates

With the closing of the financial year WRIQ said farewell to Rick Ralph, who after 14 years with WRIQ formerly handed over the CEO role to Mark Smith.

WRISA welcomed their new EO Adam Gray who has taken over this role from Chris Bridesdon.

On behalf of all the affiliates and NWRIC members I would like to pass on our thanks and gratitude to Rick and Chris for their contribution to the waste and recycling sector over the many years and wish you both well in your new endeavours.

Rick will now focus on his podcast series ‘Talking Garbology – Waste and Recycling Unwrapped’ .

To tune in visit: https://thegarbologist.com.au/ . 

While Chris will continue with his waste management consulting services.

WCRA – Waste Management Award to increase in November 2020

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has announced that there will be an increase in all modern award minimum wages by 1.75 per cent. 

In handing down this decision, the FWC decided that some industries have been more effected by the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore the timing of the increase will be staggered for different industry sectors.

It was decided by the FWC that the Waste Management Award 2020 is a Group 2 Award, with an increase of 1.75 per cent from the start of the first full pay period on or after 1 November 2020. 

The Waste Management Award 2020 covers employers in all Australian jurisdictions who operate a business in the waste management sector.  For more details, contact the WCRA office on 02 9604 7206 or email memberservices@wcra.com.au.

WRIQ – Levies and action against illegal activities

Reminder to waste operators in Queensland that the government has passed the amendment regulation relating to the landfill levy (Waste Reduction and Recycling (Waste Levy Rates for 2020–2021) Amendment Regulation 2020). 

Businesses should have updated contract pricing and implemented appropriate auditing to ensure their supply chains have been notified. 

WRIQ has provided information to its members on what changes are required. If you would like a copy of the advice please contact memberservices@wriq.com.au. 

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) has recently taken action on a large illegal stockpile.

The WRIQ welcomes the action being taken by DES on illegal operations, as they damage the reputation of legitimate operators and create false markets.

WRIQ hopes to see more of this action on rogue operators.

WRISA – SA Draft Waste and Food Waste Strategies out for comment

With the SA Government releasing both its Draft Waste Strategy and Food Waste Strategy for public comment last week, Adam Gray, WRISA’s new EO, will be reaching out to members seeking their input and preparing a response. 

Submissions are due with the government by 15 August 2020. Please feel free to reach out to Adam at Adam@wrisa.com.au.

WRINT – new Board appointments 

The WRINT at its recent AGM has appointed Mark Sweet from VTG Waste as their President and Dean Caton from NT Recycling as Vice President. Congratulations to both.

WRINT, an affiliate of the NWRIC, represents and supports waste and recycling businesses operating across the Northern Territory.

Associate membership is also now available to state and local government bodies and businesses supplying the waste and recycling sector.

For more information about getting involved and advancing the waste and recycling industry in the territory please contact their Executive Officer Rick Ralph at Benjas1@bigpond.com.

This article is the second in an ongoing monthly series. 

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SA’s peak waste and recycling industry association welcomes new EO

South Australia’s Waste and Recycling Industry Association (WRISA) is set to strengthen its position, with a sharpened focus on its role as an industry advocate.

WRISA President Jim Fairweather said the association has an important role to play in the conversations and policy decisions impacting the management of waste and recycling, amid significant ongoing changes in the sector.

Fairweather explained that in addition to WRISA’s refined focus, the association is welcoming the appointment of a new Executive Officer – waste and resource recovery specialist Adam Gray.

“Mr Gray is an experienced Executive Officer and his knowledge in waste and resource recovery, stakeholder engagement and advocacy is a great fit, as WRISA moves to strengthen its position as a leading industry advocate,” he said.

“More than ever, we need to channel the industry’s voice – ensuring the views of large and small operators inform the legislation that will direct Australia’s approach to waste management and recycling for years to come.

“Since forming in 2017, WRISA has established a great foundation, offering a voice to South Australia’s industry, and we thank the association’s inaugural Executive Officer Chris Brideson for his valuable contribution,” Fairweather said.

Gray said he is looking forward to assisting industry partners see the value of a collective voice to promote the sector, optimise engagement with government and achieve collective business and community benefit.

“The waste and recycling sector has huge potential for growth and it’s an extremely exciting industry to work in,” he said.

“Given the cutting-edge developments and new technologies, the sector provides a mix of challenges and opportunities for legislators, regulators and industry alike – and the best way to optimise these for maximum benefit is to find common ground.”

According to Gray, a strong, collective voice and an ability to present evidence-based policy positions will allow the industry to advocate for quality, long-term outcomes for communities, businesses and the environment.

“For that to be a truly representative voice – from large corporates to smaller operators – the industry needs to seize the opportunity to have their views heard, so reaching out to current and potential members will be a high priority,” he said.

“I see a clear opportunity for WRISA to reset, encourage wider representation to inform critical conversations and build policy platforms, and create a new level of member value for South Australia’s waste and recycling operators.”

Gray has experience across local government, private consulting and peak industry associations.

His areas of speciality include waste and recycling, natural resource management, climate adaptation and street lighting.

“I’m looking forward to working with the industry to build a strong voice and positive future for South Australia’s waste and recycling sector,” he said.

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