News Alert |

The City of Ballarat’s long- term approach to waste to energy and resource recovery has been endorsed with the release of the new circular economy policy for Victoria. 

City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Ben Taylor said the Victorian Government’s Recycling Victoria policy supported many of the key aspects of Council’s approach to resource innovation and management. 

Council has done the groundwork for a waste to energy facility to be established in Ballarat and has plans for an all waste interchange for the city and has a carbon neutrality and 100 per cent renewables target in place. 

“We’ve been waiting a long time for the policy to come through but it has certainly confirmed that Council’s long term approach to resource recovery and waste management is the right one.” 

“The policy supports a locally- driven response to waste management and Ballarat is ready to lead the change for our city and region.” 

It also confirms our view that moving towards a circular economy will drive future job growth and prosperity for our community. 

He said it was notable the policy recognises the importance of community education and behaviour change, and that’s an area in which we have runs on the board. 

“Ballarat already has the social license and our community has led the way by embracing the Pass on Glass campaign.  

“We know our community is eager to understand ways recycled and remanufactured products can be used.” 

Importantly, the policy has confirmed that waste to energy technology will be a part of the state’s circular economy. 

Cr Taylor said Council’s research and planning over the past seven years on a waste to energy concept meant Ballarat was in a prime position to host such a facility in the city. 

“The proposed waste to energy recovery plant will divert a significant proportion of the city's landfill waste into an affordable and secure energy source for industry, reduce carbon emissions and decrease the current regional landfill's environmental impacts.” 

He said the City of Ballarat strongly supports the announcement of the recycling market acceleration package as the development of sustainable markets will be critical for the establishment and expansion of recycled and remanufactured products. 

Cr Taylor said the previously announced Circular Economy Business Innovation Centre aligns with Ballarat’s business case for a Business Innovation Centre, which is all about minimising waste and extracting maximum value from resources. 

“We’ve done everything within our remit to put us on the path towards a circular economy. Now we’re looking for funding from other levels of government for key infrastructure such as an All Waste Interchange and Innovation Centre that will enable Ballarat to continue on its path to sustainability. 

“We look forward to working with the government to deliver these outcomes in our local economy. “