AN inspection of hi-tech waste facilities in China in 2017 by officers and councillors was indicative of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s commitment to better waste management, it is claimed.
Shire infrastructure services manager Jessica Wingad said the visit aimed to progress the use of advanced waste and resource recovery technologies to reduce the need for more landfill sites. The technology also improved resource recovery from municipal, construction and commercial residual waste, she said.
“Mornington Peninsula Shire was committed to best practice waste management and resource recovery, taking an active role in transitioning the state to waste-to-energy technology,” Ms Wingad said.
“We continue to take local action to support best practice in conjunction with council’s advocacy in calling on state and federal governments to support council and the community in planning for a sustainable waste future.”
She said the shire had implemented waste initiatives at local level, such as the Peninsula Compost Challenge, Bin Inspection Program and Recycling Champions.
“Council has been actively involved in driving sustainable waste strategies across Victoria and takes a leadership role in the Metropolitan Waste Management Groups forum and advocacy programs,” she said.
“In 2017, then-mayor Cr Bryan Payne wrote to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change to advocate for an alternate waste technology facility in the South East Metropolitan Area.”
Ms Wingad said the shire would “continue to strongly advocate to the state government on the strategic use of the Landfill Levy Fund to support the viability and sustainability of best practice waste management in Victoria”.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 26 February 2019