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The existing 10-year Waste Management Strategy expired in June 2022. 

This Strategy will provide the framework for how Council and the community will work together into the future to create a more sustainable way to manage our waste. 

It highlights where we have come from, outlines where we are now and guides Council into the future, providing both a direction for the community and other stakeholders and a strategic plan. 

The Strategy is guided by a set of overarching principles which set a strategic direction for waste management in NSW into the future.

The following are the five priority waste outcomes of the strategy: 

1. A community that embraces behaviour change to maximise our resources 

We implement education and behaviour change programs to maximise waste avoidance, reuse and resource recovery. 

2. A council committed to improving resource recovery at our waste facilities 

• Council demonstrates better practice waste management across our waste facilities
• We maximise resource recovery and extend the useful asset  life of our Waste Management Centre (WMC)
• We partner with the community and key stakeholders to explore innovative waste recovery and circular economy solutions.

3. A community that protects and enhances our natural and built environment 

Our Waste practices ensure ecologically sustainable development.

4. A council that leads by example 

• We explore opportunities to increase sustainability and build a circular economy.
• We collaborate at a regional level to create opportunities to manage waste and resources at scale and secure funding

5. A council that plans our future waste services and infrastructure needs 

• We improve financial and waste data capture and management
• We demonstrate strategic service-delivery planning and investment in infrastructure
• We demonstrate sustainable financial delivery of the Waste Service Function.

A circular economy is all about valuing our resources by getting as much use out of products and materials as possible and reducing the amount of waste we generate.

This Strategy aligns with Circular Economy principles which aim to ‘close the loop’ on waste by reusing and recycling resources and supplies that already exist, rather than creating new products out of extra resources. 

At the end of the public exhibition period, Council will review the submissions and determine what amendments are required to the Waste Management Strategy. 

Once any necessary changes are made, the Strategy will be reported to an upcoming Ordinary Meeting of Council for endorsement.