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Report from MWMG Chair, Cr. Heinz Kreutz
Since my last message MWMG has been keeping me busy with ‘official duties’ in my role as Chair. These activities have really highlighted the diversity of activities that the Group and our stakeholders are involved with. Over the past few months I sat down to sign the 30 or so contract documents that were required to execute the Northern and Western Organics Processing Contract and participated in a ‘mayors versus a family’ recycle challenge at the launch of the Get it Right on Bin Night recycling campaign.
Last month at the Forum we had the pleasure to hear from the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith who spoke about the future direction of government investment in the waste sector and John Merritt, Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, who spoke on the EPA’s renewed emphasis on enforcement. At the same session Melanie Oke from the City of Melbourne spoke of Melbourne’s efforts to include a planning scheme amendment to ensure waste management is properly considered in new developments.
The diversity of the activities we are all involved in is also reflected in the announcement of the 18 successful projects that received funding from Round Two of the Metropolitan Local Government Waste and Resource Recovery Fund. These projects range from mattress recycling to community composting and food waste avoidance and will join the 11 first round projects that are now getting underway.
On another front, the Minister has also announced changes to the MWMG Board. Lea Corbett and James Tetlow have been appointed as skills-based Directors who will replace outgoing Directors Dick Gross and Anne Dalton. This marks a significant change to the Board as both Dick and Anne have been with us since the Board’s inception in 2006. On behalf of fellow board members, I would like to thank Anne and Dick for their individual contributions to the Board’s activities, Dick in his role as the previous Chair and Anne for her assistance and advice regarding the management of legacy issues associated with the previous regional groups.
More Funds for Local Government Waste Recovery
On 14 June, The Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith (pictured on the right with The Hon Kim Wells MP, Treasurer, Member for Scoresby) announced grants worth $1.68 million as part of the second round of the $5.5 million Metropolitan Local Government Waste and Resource Recovery Fund. Read the Minister's media release here.
The funding will help 14 councils deliver 18 projects across key priority areas identified as providing the greatest opportunity to cut waste to landfill and benefit local communities. View the full list of Round Two recipients here.
This announcement was followed a few days later by the announcement of an $11.5 million funding package for resource recovery infrastructure. Read the Minister’s media release.
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Get It Right on Bin Night
Over the past two months, the ‘Get it Right’ television commercials have been beaming into lounge rooms across the broader metropolitan area. If you haven’t had a chance to see the ads you can view them here.
To find out more and keep in touch you can also ‘like’ Right on Bin Night or follow us on Twitter. We encourage everyone to get involved in spreading the word!
While all metropolitan councils have received a small allocation of posters, fridge magnets and postcards, MWMG still has available limited quantities of all of the above that can be provided to individuals and community organisations for distribution. We have also recently printed posters in Mandarin, Arabic and Vietnamese. Please contact lisa.loulier@mwmg.vic.gov.au (tel: 8698 9800) for more information.
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New Planning Zone reforms for Victoria announced
On 11 July, the Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy, announced new residential, commercial, industrial and rural planning reforms for Victoria. Read the Minister's media release.
Further details will be available Monday 16 July. MWMG will review the impact of the proposed changes on the waste and resource recovery sector and on MWMG's strategic waste planning activities.
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Organics procurement update
MWMG and 11 northern and western councils have recently signed the new contract for organics processing in the north and west of Melbourne. Construction of a new composting facility at Bulla, the largest facility of its type in Victoria, has now commenced and construction of an organics transfer station at Wyndham will start in the third quarter of the year. Commissioning of both facilities will commence in the second quarter of 2013.
MWMG is now turning its focus to the south east of Melbourne where eight councils have completed drafting the tender documents for the procurement of organics processing facilities for this region.
Advertising of the tender is targeted for the second week of August and an information briefing will be held in the following week. This session will outline tender requirements and provide an opportunity for prospective tenderers to find out more about the process. Tender submission will close in mid December with evaluation in the first half of 2013.
For more information about the North West contract, contact kevin.burgess@mwmg.vic.gov.au (tel: 8698 9815) or for information on the South East tender, contact graeme.stewart@mwmg.vic.gov.au (tel: 8698 9814).
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Organic market development update
New Australian Standards for composts, mulches and soil conditioners (AS4454, 4th ed)
Recent amendments to the standard include changes affecting the following areas:
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pasteurization requirements
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new product categories
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compost maturity and how it is assessed on-site
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on-site product assessment for quality control
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new test methods and revisions to established methods
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product classification system and using AS4454 for procurement specifications
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additional compliance requirements
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communicating the new standard.
An AS4454 information sheet is now available. ROU has also established a support webpage for compost manufacturers and councils.
Composting case studies:
Two new case studies are now available from the 'Compost for Soils' website.
Compost for dairies- case study from Simpson in the Western District.
Find out how dairy farmers Andrew and Linda Whiting are saving between $80,000 and $100,000 a year since they stopped relying on synthetic fertilisers and started using the nutrient resources on the farm.
Read the case study.
Compost for wine grapes- case study from Giant Steps in Yarra Valley.
Over the last six years the viticulturists at Giant Steps have used composted mulch on approximately eight hectares of land with problematic soil. Composted mulch has increased the soil and reduced the impact of sunlight on exposed vine roots. It has also improved organic matter levels, moisture holding capacity and resilience of soils in adverse conditions.
Read the case study.
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Waste Wise Melbourne Network Membership for 2012-13
It is now time to renew your membership or join the Network for the next 12 months. (Membership runs from the 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013.) Become a member.
Network Sponsorship
Sponsorship is being sought for the Waste Wise Melbourne Network for 12 months commencing July 2012. To find out more about the network and sponsorship packages click here.
A big thank you to Sustainability Victoria, RACV, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Justice and Southern Cross Recycling for sponsoring the Network in 2011-12.
For any queries regarding sponsorship or network membership, please contact Ellen Regos at melbourne.wastewise@mwmg.vic.gov.au.
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For your information
The Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA) Pam Keating Award nominations are now open.
The award is awarded to a woman who has made a significant contribution to Victoria’s environment industry. The nomination form must be supported by a person (female or male) with a demonstrated experience of at least 5 years working in the environment industry.
Nominations close at 4pm Friday 31 August 2012. Nominations should be sent to enquiries@wmaa.asn.au. For the full terms of reference and nomination form please click here.
Green Steps @ Work, September 2012
Green Steps @ Work is an award-winning sustainability professional development program run by the Monash Sustainability Institute. The program consists of 4 days of training in Melbourne CBD and a 6 week practical sustainability project in your organisation.
Green Steps @ Work teaches the skills to measure your organisation’s environmental impacts and engage staff and residents. All participants receive a VET-accredited Skill Set in Designing and Implementing Environmental Programs and membership of Green Steps' 700-strong national alumni network.
Applications close on 13 August. Discounts are available for multiple staff attending from one organisation.
To find out how to apply click here or email greensteps@monash.edu.
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