Media Response |

The City of Ballarat has had the opportunity to review most recent announcements in relation to a fourth bin for glass and the introduction of the Food Organics & Garden Organics ( FOGO ) service. However, we don’t have the benefit of the overall circular economy policy, which is understood will be released in the near future, to be able to respond in a fully informed manner to these recent government announcements.

There is a significant market development requirement to accommodate glass collected, and the food and organics waste produce is a completely different market to garden/green waste, which is currently utilised across the agriculture sector, again this would require significant market development.

Councils have been very good in picking up waste and recycling and will continue to be able to deliver this service very effectively. We do trust that the circular paper in its compete form will address market requirements for end product which has been the challenge of the industry in recent times.

1.Under the current rating structure waste and recycling charges are cost recovery only, and it would be anticipated that this regime would continue. In the event that additional services are delivered, there would inevitably be a charge regime associated with this.

2. Ballarat currently collects general waste on a weekly basis and will continue with this approach until such time as there is a change in community expectations via additional services or the like.