Strategic Plan:
2024-2027
Our Strategic Plan explains what we do and why.
Who is TasWaste South?
TasWaste South is a Joint Authority established by the 12 Councils of Southern Tasmania. TasWaste South’s primary role will be collaborate, coordinate and inform with a view to driving better waste outcomes and efficiencies for southern councils and communities. This inaugural strategic plan outlines the framework for TasWaste South’s first three years of operation.
THE MEMBER COUNCILS ARE:
Brighton Council
Central Highlands Council
Clarence City Council
Derwent Valley Council
Glamorgan Spring Bay Council
Glenorchy City Council
Hobart City Council
Huon Valley Council
Kingborough Council
Sorell Council
Southern Midlands Council
Tasman Council
The Strategic Landscape.
The Opportunity
The establishment of TasWaste South commenced in 2021 as a direct result of:
impacts of China’s decision to restrict the importing of recyclable material.
decisions by the Australian Government to restrict the exporting of recyclables.
the (then) contractor responsible for the processing of recyclables (SKM Industries Pty Ltd) in Southern Tasmania being placed into administration and the subsequent acquisition of SKM’s assets by Cleanaway Pty Ltd.
agreement (in December 2019) that Cleanaway Pty Ltd would accept the councils' recyclables for a period of 2-years. This arrangement allowed the councils in the southern region time to prepare and procure a new contract for the processing of recyclables whilst service continuity was maintained.
Context
In recent years, the Tasmanian Government has implemented a range of initiatives in relation
to waste:
established the Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Board;
Introduced the waste levy;
It released its first ever legislated statewide strategy in the Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2023-2026; and
It has announced the pending introduction of a container refund scheme.
Against this backdrop, there is significant opportunity for greater coordination and alignment across councils and regions and this strategy intends to ensure that opportunity is recognised.
Due Diligence & Consultation
Consultation
A consultation processes was undertaken to inform the development of this strategic plan. The consultation process highlighted the importance of collaboration, coordination and information sharing in the development of waste management and resource recovery in Southern Tasmania.
Key Themes
The key themes from the consultation included:
Product and packaging design
Future vision for sustainability
within TasmaniaIndustry and partner consultation
and engagementOpportunities for harmonisation, coordination and consistency across councils
Policy and advocacy
Community education
Regulation
Data
Strategies for specific waste categories
Our Purpose:
Leading change and innovation in waste minimisation, management and resource recovery across southern Tasmania.
Our Strategic Framework
OUR STRATEGIC PILLARS
The outcomes we are aiming for.
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Eliminating or reducing duplication across waste activities and delivering savings to the 12 southern councils.
Consistency in waste service standards, policies and provision across southern councils.
Recognised as a critical central coordinating waste body for southern Tasmanian councils.
Optimised regional waste infrastructure for southern Tasmania.
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Active engagement and relationships with all 12 southern councils.
Active engagement with private operators in the waste sector, research entities and key industries and producers of waste in southern Tasmania.
Strong, consistent and structural relationships with all other regional waste bodies in Tasmania, Southern Waste Solutions and the Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Board.
Active partnerships with third parties for key objectives of TasWaste South.
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Minimisation of waste to landfill and increase in appropriate diversion of materials into further productive use (e.g. circular economy).
Contributions to waste policy settings at the State and Federal level.
Council procurement policies and mechanisms drive waste minimisation and diversion from landfill.
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Reduced waste contamination through kerbside collection.
Reduction in littering and illegal waste dumping on public and private land.
Delivery of public education on waste behaviours and consumer choices.
OUR STRATEGIC ACTIONS
2024-25
(Year 1).
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1.1. Enable opportunities for whole of region kerbside collection contracts.
1.2 Obtain kerbside collection data and share to support evidence-based decisions.
1.3 Identify and share programs for councils to implement (e.g. mobile muster and drum muster, recycling walls, re-use programs).
1.4 Coordinate and implement regional hazardous waste collection.
1.5 Commence planning for collection points for hard to recycle waste products.
1.6 Identify immediate infrastructure needs within the southern region.
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2.1 Develop a stakeholder engagement plan including key engagement periods.
2.2 Provide ongoing communication on the value and outcomes of TasWaste South activities to members and other stakeholders.
2.3 Develop key communication tools including a website, forums, and newsletters.
2.4 Develop the TasWaste South brand including logo and name.
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3.1 Provide guidance on the circular economy within procurement and tendering for Local Government.
3.2 Participate in Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Board planning and regional forums.
3.3 Engage with NRE and EPA on data collections strategies, enforcement and community reporting pathways.
3.4 Map existing waste activities and waste sector participants in southern Tasmania through a UTAS project.
3.5 Share best practice examples from interstate and overseas.
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4.1 Contribute to and implement the ‘Rethink Waste’ education strategy.
4.2 Establish a litter management plan for the region.
4.3 Engage with Environment Protection Authority to explore joint initiatives addressing illegal littering.
4.4 Contribute to media reporting and editorials in relation to waste and the circular economy.
OUR STRATEGIC ACTIONS
2025-27
(Years 2 & 3).
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1.7. Develop a waste infrastructure plan for the southern region that also addresses carbon emissions.
1.8 Commence resource recovery coordination for specific waste items including a container deposit scheme.
1.9. Develop key data sets to populate a waste dashboard for the southern region.
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2.5 Enter partnerships for key projects.
2.6 Secure grant funding for southern region initiatives.
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3.6 Identify and develop strategies for specific waste categories including processing and pathways.
3.7 Actively facilitate and support southern councils in reviewing waste infrastructure for the region.
3.8 Identify changes required to regulation and policy and actively advocate for change.
3.9 Look at opportunities to provide grant or investment funding to third parties.
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4.5 Consider digital options to deliver information to stakeholders.
4.6 Continue to influence positive behaviour change on emerging waste trends.
4.7 Coordinate efforts to harmonise local government bylaws related to waste.
Our internal governance priorities:
To develop a funding strategy to support the financial sustainability of TasWaste South including the attraction of grant funding.
Ensuring the value proposition of TasWaste South is clear and communicated to key stakeholders and member councils.
Develop a resourcing plan for key actions under the business plan.