The Queensland government has extended the deadline for the community to have their say about banning single-use plastics, such as straws, drink stirrers, cutlery and plates to April 30.
Victoria reviews dangerous goods laws
A comprehensive review of the Victoria’s dangerous goods laws is being undertaken to help stamp out unsafe chemical stockpiling.
The Victorian government has appointed Andrew Palmer, QC, to conduct the review of the Dangerous Goods Act 1985 and associated regulations.
According to a government statement the review is the latest step in its ongoing response to chemical stockpiling after two large chemical fires in West Footscray in August 2018 and Campbellfield in April 2019.
Immediately following the 2018 fire, WorkSafe led a blitz on industrial premises to ensure dangerous chemicals were being stored correctly.
Government agency investigations led to the discovery of waste chemicals stockpiled at 13 sites in Melbourne’s north last year.
A WorkSafe-led taskforce has so far removed more than 13 million litres of the stockpiled waste chemicals, clearing four sites in Epping, three in Craigieburn and three in Campbellfield. The final three sites in Campbellfield are currently being cleared.
The minister for workplace safety Jill Hennessy said that the government knows that the unsafe storing, handling or disposal of dangerous chemicals poses a real threat to local communities.
“This review will make sure dangerous goods laws remain effective and keep Victorian’s safe. Mr Palmer brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this important review which will safeguard all Victorians,” she said.
Tough penalties
The Labor Government last year introduced tough new penalties of up to 10 years in jail and fines of more than $6.4 million for rogue operators who recklessly manufacture, store, transport, transfer, sell or use dangerous goods in a way that places another person in danger of death.
Meanwhile, WorkSafe has charged Bradbury Industrial Services with 35 breaches of the Dangerous Goods Act in relation to five of the sites in Campbellfield and Craigieburn.
Review timely
Hennessy added that a review of the Act was important to ensure our laws are up to the task of protecting the community from the unacceptable risk that stockpiling of dangerous goods poses and to deal with those who do it.
A final report and recommendations are expected to be delivered to the Government next year, with opportunities for public comment and stakeholder engagement later this year.
WorkSafe has also charged Graham Leslie White, 58, of Harkness with 55 offences over the alleged illegal stockpiling of dangerous goods at four warehouses he occupied in Epping and one in Campbellfield and investigations are continuing.
Leadership changes at VWMA and WRIQ
A senior leadership change has been made at the Victorian Waste Management Association (VWMA) with the appointment of Alex Serpo as the new executive officer commencing in May. He will be leaving the National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) where he held the position of secretariat since 2017.
May industry conference finds revival on Zoom
The annual Waste 2020 Conference which was scheduled for the first week of May in Coffs Harbour, has been re-engineered into a series of webinars.
Conference organisers Impact Environmental Consulting (IEC) have been working with the Waste Management & Resource Recovery Association (WMRR) to develop a weekly webinar series. According to IEC the aim is to keep the industry informed and up-to-date by using digital video tools. A selection of the content from the conference will be streamed live using the Zoom platform which is already being used by WMRR for its member sessions.
Conference and Exhibition Director Connie Button, told Inside Waste the organisation has received around 75 responses, indicating a strong interest from participants towards engaging in a selection of online paid webinars.
“We have also had direct contact from a range of delegates encouraging us to take the step and utilise the content that was already prepared for the conference,” Button explained.
She added that, the key benefits for participants are up-to-date information and perspectives on 12 key topic areas drawn from the Conference program as well as an opportunity to participate in a Q&A format.
“We considered it better to ‘drip feed’ the information over a longer period of time, rather than provide in in a condensed format, as there is a lot on people’s minds at the moment and this webinar series may become a welcome learning option while we are rather isolated. This weekly series also gives people the option to tailor their own learning by picking and choosing the sessions most relevant to their learning needs.”
The webinars will begin on Wednesday May 6 at 10.30am and will run for approximately 10-12 weeks. The first four webinars are listed below:
- Week 1 – Keynote addresses from Waste 2020 (Wed 6th May)
- Week 2 – Organics and FOGO (Wed 13 May)
- Week 3 – Social Enterprise Role in a Circular Economy (Wed 20 May)
- Week 4 – COAG Panel Discussion (Wed 27 May)
The cost for each weekly session will be $75 for members (WMRR) and $85 for non-members. IEC said that further information on presenters, content and the registration process will follow shortly.
Button also pointed to a quote that came from the survey:
“Keep up the good work. I really value the waste conference and am disappointed like many others that we cannot meet together. However thank you for continuing to work out ways to share information.”
Melbourne Council goes digital with recycling app
Hobsons Bay Council in Victoria is releasing the first stage of the Recycling 2.0 App, a digital tool it says will support Hobsons Bay residents to recycle. The mobile phone app offers residents up-to-date information about the kerbside service in an accessible, easy to view format.
WMRR calls for Board nominations
The Board of Directors of the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association (WMRR) is undergoing a process of renewal in 2020, with a number of two-year director terms coming to an end.
Where to with food waste?
There is undoubtedly a connection between the recent catastrophic fire season and increasing global warming leading to climate change.
And we might feel powerless as individuals to do anything about it. But one thing we can do as individuals, households, local councils, state governments and federal governments is address food waste in landfill. Why and how does this relate to climate change?
NSW government releases COVID-19 guidance for waste and recycling industry
The NSW government has advised the waste and recycling industry and councils that it will continue to work closely with them to ensure critical waste services continue. It has also issued a set of guidelines for staying healthy and safe during COVID-19.
In a joint statement, the government and the EPA said that although the risk of transmission of COVID-19 when handling waste was low, waste handling should continue using safe routine procedures.
Despite public health orders listing restrictions to activities and places that are closed, the government acknowledged that the waste and recycling industry provides an important service for the community and businesses.
Worker health and safety
It advised that it was still possible to go to work in the waste and recycling industry if it wasn’t possible to work from home and that workers can continue to travel for the purposes of work.
However, it suggested that workers could carry identification, wear a uniform or carry a letter from their employer to assist with COVID-19 compliance checks.
Under the model work health and safety laws, the government said that employers must have measures in place to eliminate or manage risks arising from COVID-19. These include providing workers with appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves and eye protection, and information and training on how and why they are required to use them.
SafeWork NSW has also advised that although employers may not be able to eliminate the risk of workers contracting COVID-19 while carrying out work, they must do all that is reasonably practicable to minimise that risk.
The statement pointed to the latest COVID-19 information and advice from SafeWork NSW and advised operators to keep up to date to ensure that any action taken is appropriate.
Disposal of household waste
Meanwhile, the government is clear that waste items from people in isolation with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in nonhealthcare facilities, such as homes and other lodgings, should be placed in the red-lidded rubbish bin.
It has also issued this advice for people in isolation is as follows:
- Dispose of all used personal care items such as tissues, disposable masks and gloves in a rubbish bin that’s lined with a plastic bag.
- When the bin is three-quarters full, tie-off the plastic bag to prevent spillage of the contents. Avoid touching the inside of the bag and dispose of the bag into the general household red-lidded rubbish bin.
- Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitiser can be used if hands are not visibly dirty.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Disposal of clinical waste
Waste generated from clinical settings such as hospitals, nursing homes or mobile clinics, must be Coronavirus (COVID-19) 9 April 2020 Information for the waste and recycling sector Supporting NSW during COVID-19 stored and processed as per usual.
This includes clinical waste, cytotoxic waste, pharmaceutical, drug or medicine waste, and sharps waste. If waste managers and operators who transport, store, treat or dispose of clinical and related waste are unsure, they should refer to the following NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) advice:
- Schedule 1 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 for licensing requirements
- Part 11 of the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014 for requirements relating to the storage, transport and disposal of clinical waste.
Retail waste disposal
The government said that it has allowed for waste disposal from retail premises at any time, under the Environmental Planning and Assessment (COVID-19 Development – Extended Operation) Order 2020.
By working with councils to support communities across the state in response to COVID-19 the government said it is making orders to allow for development to be carried out without the normal planning approval in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of everyone.
Interstate transport of waste
The government is also working with the transport industry to ensure uninterrupted movement of goods and other materials across state borders. NSW has not imposed any state-based restrictions on the movement of waste although in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Queensland government has tightened restriction on entry into the state.
These restrictions provide for the continuation of essential goods and services. Transporters can apply for an entry pass into Queensland at qld.gov.au/border-pass and regulations for tracking waste out of NSW or overseas still apply.
Business continuity plans
The government has clearly stated that operators responsible for providing waste and recycling collection services and facilities should have a business continuity plan in place.
Plans should include the priority responsibilities of storing, transporting and disposing of waste appropriately, as well as measures to continue essential waste services like kerbside collection. Plans should be assessed and revised to account for changing circumstances, such as reduced staff numbers or the loss of key personnel, with focus given to high-risk activities.
Licence holders and other entities regulated by the EPA should also have environmental risk management procedures in place to assist in minimising risks to the environment and human health and meet regulatory requirements.
They must also continue to immediately notify the EPA of pollution incidents and compliance issues. Operators should maintain good communications with clients and the EPA, particularly around any predicted service disruptions.
Where social distancing requires the extension of operating hours, waste operators should contact the EPA for further assistance.
Key contacts
- Environment Line on 131 555
- Service NSW – for information and advice for NSW businesses go to service.nsw.gov.au.
- Health – follow the COVID-19 health advice at NSW Health at health.nsw.gov.au.
- Worker health and safety – follow SafeWork NSW advice at safework.nsw.gov.au.
- Waste – for information about transport and disposal of waste visit epa.nsw.gov.au or call the Environment Line on 131 555.
$5m round for Regional Growth Fund now open
The opening of South Australia’s third funding round of the Regional Growth Fund has been brought forward in a move designed to provide economic stimulus to the state’s regions impacted by bushfires, drought and ongoing impacts of coronavirus.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said that the current round for projects will strengthen regional economies and provide tangible social benefits to local communities. The last round of funding unlocked $14.6 million investment across 10 projects, which are expected to create 160 jobs.
Whetstone added that by bringing forward applications for the Regional Growth Fund the state government’s $350 million stimulus package aimed at safeguarding the economy and protecting jobs will be supported.
“The Marshall Government recognises that supporting our regions is crucial to the future prosperity of our state,” Whetstone said.
“The Regional Growth Fund helps unlock new economic activity in our regions and by bringing applications forward we will help fast-track the recovery of our regional economies, which have been hurting as a result of the recent bushfires, drought and the ongoing impacts of coronavirus.”
10 year commitment
The Regional Growth Fund is a 10-year commitment offering $15 million in grants annually to support projects that will deliver tangible benefits to regional South Australia and most importantly creates jobs.
“Successful projects will be those that not only strengthen the economies of our regions, but also provide real community-wide benefits to the area. The first two rounds of funding are supporting projects that are creating stronger and more resilient regions.
“Thanks to the 2019-20 round of funding, our regional areas will enjoy a wider variety of food and drink experiences, better water and cycling infrastructure, and diverse tourism opportunities, so I’m again looking forward to seeing the range of projects that will make a positive difference in our regional towns and communities.
“I encourage eligible applicants who have a project they feel can strengthen our regional communities to apply.”
Grants up to $2 million
Applicants in the third round can seek grants from $50,000 up to $2 million, with projects to be located within South Australia that offer outcomes and benefits for regional South Australia.
Projects should foster collaboration and demonstrate a commitment to local employment, and purchase local supplies wherever possible. Applications to the Regional Growth Fund will be accepted from local government bodies, incorporated associations and business clusters.
Applications for Round Three of the Regional Growth Fund close at 12pm on Monday May 11, 2020. More information is available at www.pir.sa.gov.au/regionalgrowthfund
Containers for Change launch deferred due to COVID-19
The launch of Western Australia’s container deposit scheme Containers for Change has been deferred due to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 and its expected disruption to refund points. The decision accords with advice from the scheme co-ordinator, WA Return Recycle Renew Ltd (WARRRL).