Media release – Derwent Valley Council, 16 December 2024
Waste management authority call for all southern councils
The Derwent Valley Council has called for the establishment of a regional waste management authority, owned and governed collectively by the 12 southern Tasmanian councils, and says the initiative would transform waste management in the south of the state.
The Council wants a working group established comprising representatives from councils, the State Government, and relevant stakeholders to design the transition from the current disparate services to a collaborative and more efficient regional model.
Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said such a regional waste management authority would ensure consistency of service, reduce administrative burdens, and enable new technologies to be embraced.
Mayor Dracoulis said the waste management challenges faced by Tasmania’s southern councils were symptomatic of broader issues in local governance, such as fragmented systems, duplication of efforts, and missed opportunities for collaboration.
“Local councils in Tasmania have increasingly shouldered responsibilities beyond traditional municipal duties, from community services to emergency management.
“Waste management has become one of the most complex and resource-intensive of these tasks, demanding technical expertise, significant financial investment, and compliance with stringent environmental regulations. Each council currently develops and implements its own waste strategy, resulting in inefficiencies, duplications and inconsistent service levels across the region.”
Mayor Dracoulis said a single waste management authority would address these issues head-on, allowing for economies of scale, streamlined operations and the adoption of best practices. It would represent a critical first step in council collaboration, even if the politically contentious topic of council amalgamations remained off the table for now.
“The approach could be similar to that taken in the establishment of Taswater where the consolidation of previous council water and sewage services into a single authority, has provided consistent service delivery, enhanced regulatory compliance and cost efficiencies.
“A regional waste authority would not only address immediate operational challenges but also provide a platform for long-term improvements including cost efficiencies, uniform pricing structures, equitable service delivery and investment in cutting edge waste management technologies.
“Existing waste management entities like Southern Waste Solutions, which operates the Copping landfill, could be integrated into a broader regional framework and partnerships with private operators like Barwick’s Boyer Composting Facility demonstrate how collaboration can enhance service delivery and innovation.”
The Derwent Valley Council has already provided details of its proposal to Local Government Minister Kerry Vincent and presented it to the Local Government Board. It wants the working group set up as the next step in progressing the establishment of an authority.
“The initiative to establish a Southern Tasmanian Regional Waste Management Authority is about more than just managing rubbish,” Mayor Dracoulis said.
“It would represent a tangible step toward regional collaboration and shared problem-solving, with 12 councils working together to deliver better outcomes for residents in southern Tasmania, and significant benefits for the environment.”
