Annual Report | 1

NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 1

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

Published December 2019 NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 2

The North East Waste acknowledges the funding contribution it receives from the NSW Environmental Protection Agency. NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 3

Foreword 4

REGIONAL PROJECTS AND ENGAGEMENT 5 CONTENTS NE Waste Communication and Partnerships 6 Regional Coordination and Strategy 10

Education and Community Engagement 12

Love Food Hate Waste 16

Business Program and Support 18

RENEW 21

Illegal Dumping 22

Household Asbestos Disposal and Testing Project 23

Clean Up Country 24

Community Recycling Centres 26

Litter Prevention Project 27

Training 29

The Better Waste Recycling Fund 30

Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) in Multi Unit Dwellings (MUDS) 31

Food Donation Feasibility Study 32

COUNCILS AND RESOURCE RECOVERY 33

MANAGEMENT, GOVERNANCE & FINANCE 42 Governance of the Group 43 Finances and Procurement 44 Financial Statement 45 Project Expenditure and Budget 2018-19 45 NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 4

Foreword

This report outlines the activities and outcomes of North East Waste enabling a much more intensive engagement in the region. Our high (NE Waste) for the 2018-19 financial year. NE Waste is a group of seven level of success in securing additional grant funding also supports Councils on the Far North Coast of New South Wales working together this vision. Our project co-ordinators and officers are long term, towards regional solutions to effective waste management. The dedicated professionals whose knowledge and passion to improve member Councils are Ballina Shire, Byron Shire, Clarence Valley, Kyogle resource recovery outcomes is well respected across the State, Shire, Lismore City, Richmond Valley and Tweed Shire. with our programs often duplicated by other Councils in both the metropolitan and regional areas. In the 2018-19 year we delivered a suite of projects involving and engaging the community, schools, businesses and government. Our core projects North East Waste: involved education, food waste reduction, business engagement in more effective waste management, dealing with problem wastes, ▶ Delivers targeted and effective projects that engage waste on Aboriginal communities, Community Recycling Centres, litter, and build capacity in our communities to achieve asbestos disposal and illegal dumping. Other priorities included training, improved waste minimisation and management research, regional collaboration and fostering relationships with State outcomes Government and the broader waste community. ▶ Adheres to the principles of sustainability, equity and continuous improvement In developing and funding our programs and advising Councils on the changing waste regulatory landscape we have worked closely with the ▶ Creates strong partnerships that allow collaboration Environmental Trust and the NSW EPA. The Waste Less Recycle More and optimise resource sharing opportunities (WLRM) initiative has funded many of our projects and has allowed for ▶ Communicates and shares our knowledge while program expansion and the provision of additional infrastructure to striving for leadership and innovation in waste our Councils. In 2016 it was announced that WLRM would be extended until 2021, securing NE Waste’s funding and allowing for the planned implementation of our new Regional Waste Strategy (2017-21).

NE Waste’s vision, to achieve more sustainable waste management Jeanie McKillop and better resource recovery through a proactive and collaborative NE Waste Coordinator approach with our member Councils and community, is achieved because of our unique position and approach. Unlike other Regional Waste Groups, our member Councils match our EPA operational funding, NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 5

REGIONAL PROJECTS 1 AND ENGAGEMENT NE Waste delivers a suite of projects that are participatory and aim to build the social capital required to engage our community in effective waste management. Our projects and programs support our 7 member Councils in their efforts to provide information, services and resources to assist the region in waste avoidance and resource recovery, and implement change where needed.

In 2018-19 NE Waste coordinated 17 projects and successfully secured six grants. The following section outlines the key features, and highlights outcomes of each project. NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 6 1.1 In 2018-19 NE Waste increased our reach and communications NE Waste Communication across the region. Effective media and publicity tools promoted our programs and provides consistent messages about waste management and resource recovery. Media campaigns are a core and Partnerships component of many of our projects. Print, radio, television and electronic media are well utilised to maximise our reach, and our Aim: Increase the awareness of waste reduction activities across the social media presence continues to expand through Facebook and Instagram with our Councils closely linked to our programs, utilising region and engage the community. the resources we provide for them.

Our main engagement campaigns were: ▶ The Business programs engaged over 1,000 people through social media and registered 46 new businesses in its Reduce Single Use campaign. ▶ #RecycleRight – a TVC, social media and face-to-face engagement The program presented at two Chamber of Commerce events, and campaign to educate residents in response to China National Sword developed a suite of social media videos that provide education to policy. A suite of resources, including fridge magnets, still images, food businesses around best practice packaging, waste avoidance, and website, posters and more were developed in addition to the video also to their customers on avoiding single use packaging. and TVC components. The TVC was aired over 1,200 times on local networks and was adopted by many other NSW Waste Groups and ▶ The Waste Education, Love Food Hate Waste, Food Smart and Councils and the ACT Government. It is also been taken up in some Your Business is Food programs directly engaged with over 10,000 Queensland Councils. All our Councils launched the RR campaign at community members, and reached in excess of 50,000 through print the same time, and continue to utilise and adapt the resources that and social media. have been developed. ▶ The Park Litter project involved more than 600 hours of volunteer time ▶ Our FOGO in Multi Unit Dwellings campaign engaged 74 households and engaged with over 490 people at pop up litter displays/activities face-to-face and supplied them with a communications package to at six outdoor events. assist them in using the FOGO bin correctly. ▶ CRC & Illegal Dumping programs – used print, social media, TV, cinema, ▶ The Food Donation Project held three focus groups and an Education radio and face-to-face engagement to educate the community about forum, directly engaging with over 50 agency personnel and 20 food the consequences of dumping and the correct way to dispose of businesses. unwanted items and household problem waste. NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 7

▶ The NSW Roads and Maritime Services worked with us on roadside litter

▶ The Uniting Church, The Consortium of neighbourhood centres, Metcash IGA, and Foodbank NSW sat on the Steering Through the long term Committee and were involved in the Food Donation project delivery of our projects NE ▶ The Regional Waste Educators Group, representing our member Councils, continue to collaborate on the development Waste has formed many and delivery of regional projects partnerships across the region and State. This year ▶ New partnerships have been formed for the Love Food Communities Program. NSW Health (NCAHS and Health they included: Promotions Unit), Northern Rivers Food, Metcash IGA, Woolworths Supermarkets, NSW Chamber of Commerce, Northern Rivers Food Recovery Project and Sustain Food Network are participating and contributing to the project implementation and outcomes

▶ Positive Change for Marine Life, Lennox Community Garden Group, All Girls Surfriders, Mid-Richmond Neighbourhood Centre, Evans River Landcare, NSW Roads and Maritime Services worked with us on park and roadside litter

▶ Yamba Chamber of Commerce and two Byron Self Storage Businesses were involved in the Illegal Dumping project

▶ Six other Regional Waste Groups involved in producing a State-Wide campaign for CRCs

▶ Local Government NSW

▶ Two Aboriginal Lands Councils and their communities

▶ Southern Cross University through the engagement of a student intern

▶ The Office of Chief Scientist and Engineer and UNSW through the Circular Economy Innovation Network NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 8

AIRED EDITORIALS 199 6700 35 885 EVENTS TV Commercials RADIO ADS

SHS APP WEBSITES PRINT ADS 4K 36,000+ DOWNLOADS UNIQUE 78 NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 9

▶ WEBSITES NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 10 1.2 Regional Coordination and Strategy

In delivering the Regional Waste Strategy 2017-21 over the past year, NE Waste Aim: To administer and manage NE Waste finances, contractors, was involved in a range of consultations with State Government and represented contracts, regional cooperation, and State Government liaison. To Regional Councils on steering committees and in working groups. At a regional level we have been working with NE Waste Councils and more recently, Midwaste help set the strategic direction of waste management through a Councils, to look for solutions to waste management and disposal. Market coordinated and collaborative approach that optimises resource- influences, including changes to unsorted recycled paper and plastics markets sharing opportunities and to support regional initiatives. (China National Sword) and the introduction of the Queensland Waste levy, has placed pressure on NE Waste Councils to reconsider how they approach waste management, and the provision of waste management services. Many Councils report that landfill sites have reached capacity and so external landfill solutions are being implemented. Establishment of new landfill sites is a costly endeavour, not available in all Council areas due to land availability.

Voluntary Regional Waste Groups – 13 participating Councils and the NSW DPIE have initiated a North Coast North East Waste (NE Waste) Waste Investment Study. The aim of the Study is to identify options, including opportunities for larger scale waste treatment technologies, to understand the regional potential for feedstock and any infrastructure constraints.

This investigation will then use this information to provide a regional collaboration model from which new opportunities and markets can be identified and will support the participating Councils to commit to an approach going forward. It will ensure that the essential service of waste disposal provides benefits and is managed efficiently and effectively at a regional scale.

It is expected the Study will be completed by March 2019. NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 11

In addition to this work NE Waste has delivered more projects than ever before, and have attracted six new grants to help fulfil our regional objectives around litter, illegal dumping, Aboriginal communities, food waste avoidance and problem wastes.

Outcomes for the year included:

▶ Implemented the 2017-21 Regional Waste Strategy

▶ Administered the delivery of 17 projects

▶ Held five regional meetings of Councils and four team meetings

▶ Represented local government and consulted on the steering committee of the OCSE Circular Economy and the China National Sword Taskforce and the 20 year Waste Strategy

▶ Developed and acquitted the operational budget and budget of grants

▶ Assisted three councils with requests for tender, and assessed two

▶ Produced the NE Waste Annual Report and Annual Report to EPA

▶ Completed submissions on National Waste Policy, Draft Asbestos Policy, Circular Economy and the Product Stewardship Act Review

▶ Met with NSW Treasury, Office of Chief Scientist and Engineers, Regional Development, Southern Cross University and the Joint Organisation of Councils

▶ Presented at the Queensland Local Government Conference NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 12

1.3 Education and ur education team inspires our regional community to “Oreduce waste and recover resources“ Community Engagement

Aim: The aim of the NE Waste Education and Community Engagement Program is to promote positive behavioural change and lead to improvements in resource recovery and waste avoidance practices in our regional community.

NE Waste’s Education and Community Engagement Program drives behavioural change initiatives to achieve the region’s waste diversion and recycling targets. The program is delivered through a combination of community research; face-to-face engagement at events, partnerships with other organisations; workshops and schools; social media marketing and broader communication approaches. The programs are researched and designed in conjunction with the Regional Waste Educators Group to optimise collaboration and ownership of the programs by our member Councils, ensuring they are useful and appropriate to each LGA. During 2018-19, improvements have been made to program design and implementation, and new activities developed to complement the range of education activities already on offer. NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 13

Outputs and outcomes for 2018-19 have included:

Program Outputs Outcomes

#Recycle Right Collaborative design, production and ongoing • See Dropbox Link for the campaign components implementation of the #recycleright campaign to Council support support Councils in contamination management • WOW team supporting street bin audits for and changes to recycling. Additional support Councils as per program plan and requests has been provided for the Lift the Lid program – training WOW team to support Councils in • Adoption of the campaign beyond our region delivery. • Ongoing promotion of our campaign. See BWRF for further info

Wipe out Waste program a) Schools Program: Increased knowledge in revised recycling practices and waste avoidance and resource recovery tools to The Wipe out Waste Education Schools Wipe Out Waste and Early Childhood 3,000 students and teachers. program includes the WOW Program - includes school activities, audits, van, education marquees and a student leadership, drama based education, 100% of schools/EC centres participating in the team who provide schools and hands-on activities and experiential learning tour program (and responding to evaluation survey) community members face-to-face reported to have increased knowledge about waste community engagement activities A total of 27 schools and three Early Childhood avoidance and resource recovery. Centres participated in the program via 60 event days, reaching in excess of 4,000 students and teachers.

b) Community Program

Participation in 12 community events, reaching more than 1,200 people Feedback indicates the program is successful in delivering key messages to our regional community; A range of activities to engage the community engaging community in positive waste reduction (e.g. beeswax wrapper workshops, calico bag practices, answering questions and providing support design, waste to art, performer based education, to Council programs. on-line pledges) at workshops, demos, events and Council facilitated programs. Also provides on the ground engagement for other NE Waste programs including Litter and Waste Wise events education. NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 14

Program Outputs Outcomes

Second Hand Saturday • 60 ads appearing in print media over a 6 week • Garage sales held over two weekends period The biggest day of garage sales, • 25,000+ participating in these events directly coordinated by NE Waste • 14 editorial pieces in print media with media support from our local • Evaluation indicated equivalent of 2 x 240L MGBs Councils • Two radio interviews held of materials per participating household sold/ swapped on the day. • Two videos produced to promote SHS • Huge ongoing support from member Councils • Reach of 55,000 via Facebook and Instagram for this program

• Social media posts (approx. 100) over 10 week period plus Council posts

Council support program • Six out of seven Councils are represented on Recycle Right resources developed with Council the Regional Waste Educators Group input; Lift the Lid bin inspections held for three of Provides Councils with the the seven Councils; Phase Two Social media resources opportunity to collaborate, partner • Four x Regional Waste Educators Meetings developed and share resources held Love Food Communities Program design collaboration • Regional resources developed

• Behavioural works training participation NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 15 NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 16 1.4 Love Food Hate Waste

The NSW Government’s Love Food Hate Waste Program is delivered via grant funded promotional and community engagement activities. It aims to increase awareness about food waste avoidance issues, and increase skills and adoption of food waste avoidance behaviours in households and business communities.

Love Food Hate Waste provides food waste avoidance education to community across the Northern Rivers region, through community workshops, staff workshops and social media promotion. A team of three, comprising the Education Coordinator and two Love Food Hate Waste Chefs (plus WOW team support where necessary) deliver talks, staff training, cooking demos and workshops across the region. During 2018-19 the following outcomes were delivered: NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 17

Program Outputs Outcomes

Delivery of EPA’s Food Smart program to the community 280 people signed up to the Food Smart program. 500 people attended the 14 x workshops held at 14 schools and workshops. Over 5,000 directly reached via social media, Councils, and community preschools Food Smart events. Evaluation reported those attending workshops adopted five food waste 10 cooking demonstrations held at 10 avoidance practices community events

Social media, four radio interviews, three print editorials

Delivery of Your Business is Food Program Approached 24 businesses, 12 businesses signed up and completed at least 3 steps to 12 food business communities in the of the program. region. More than 200 staff in total participating. Your Business is Food YBIF has been a difficult model for business to adopt. It was modified and simplified All businesses signed up adopted at least one food waste avoidance practice. from a seven audit days prior/post food Target for 20% food waste reduction. waste reduction plan, to one to three days pre/post monitoring of improvements.

Seven new project partners signed MOU's (plus our seven Councils); Love Food Communities EOI and full grant application applied for. $250,000 grant received to deliver 2019 -2021

Business involved in the YBIF program

1. Summerland House Farm cafe/restaurant

2. Casino RSM Club have done an incredible job separating and recycling their food organics

3 and 4.. Herbal Wisdom, Bangalow NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 18 1.5 Business Program and Support

Aim: To increase recycling, waste avoidance and reduce the amount of waste disposed to landfill from businesses across the NE Waste region.

NE Waste’s Business Program develops and delivers projects that provide waste education and practical resources for businesses in the Northern Rivers, including personalised assessments, toolkits, signage and other relevant resources. With the objective “Hello Kim, to promote best practice waste and recycling management, the Thank you very much for sending this through. We program provides a promotional platform for business champions took it to our sustainability meeting late last week across the Waste Warriors social media, including Instagram and and will incorporate the actions into our work plan. Facebook, and at networking events, and through electronic Everyone was thrilled with the write up and we have and print media. The program also provides an effective conduit put it into our weekly digest here (newsletter). We were for communication between Council, regional businesses and able to gain approval for our 3 station bins set up in our commercial waste service providers. The program also seeks to key traffic areas so Greg will proceed with purchasing provide support and insight into regional solutions for commercial those and we can get set up with Barbs new stickers”. and industrial waste, including Circular Economy initiatives. University of Rural Health Lismore NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 19

Business Support

▶ 750 Waste Warrior businesses registered to date

▶ 97 businesses directly supported with toolkits, education presentations with Chambers of commerce and industry groups

▶ Over 1,000 followers engaged through social media

Reduce Single Use Challenge - Ballina Pilot Project

Objective:

▶ To raise the awareness of positive waste avoidance actions in the Ballina business catchment

▶ Engage at least 30 Ballina businesses in the project

▶ Collaboration between Ballina Shire Council and NE Waste

Key Outcomes:

▶ Development and delivery of reusable food container factsheets for businesses and consumers. These were also supplied to NE Waste member Councils as a shared resource

▶ High-level engagement with local Chamber of Commerce, with two Chamber event presentations

▶ Spin off project being taken up in neighbouring Lennox Head

▶ 46 businesses directly registered with the project NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 20

Social Media Content: Regional Food Business Single Use Social Media Content: Richmond Valley Avoidance Council Commercial FOGO Promotion

▶ Objective to address current single use issues Designed to showcase champion RVC and provide solutions using a waste hierarchical businesses introducing commercial FOGO approach and promote Council’s new commercial service. A second educational clip was ▶ Collaboration between NE Waste Business developed to show the benefits of recycling Program and Tweed Shire Council food waste. ▶ Branded and available for use by every member Council

▶ Holistic strategy that educates businesses and empowers their customers

Clip 1. How to avoid single waste items in your food business

Clip 2. Best practice packaging solutions for your Business

Clip 3. What’s the deal with takeaway coffee cups?

Clip 4. How to avoid single use items for customers NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 21 1.6 RENEW

Providing training, professional development and networking opportunities for Regional Waste Groups and personnel

NE Waste is one of eight Voluntary Regional Waste Groups This year the group have collaborated on a number of (VRWGs), which operate in rural and regional areas of NSW. campaigns, including Community Recycling Centres and All VRWGs are members of RENEW NSW and encompass over Recycle Right. The challenges of the National Sword Policy 95 regional Councils. We work together to improve resource from China and contamination issues with other markets recovery and waste management in regional NSW and meet have continued throughout 2018-19 and meetings remain an four times a year. Collaboration between groups both at, essential forum for the Regional Waste Groups. and between meetings, has been regular and beneficial, allowing project sharing, joint submissions and exchange on As a group, RENEW contributed to consultation on the 20 Year operational matters. Waste Strategy, the Circular Economy Steering Committee, and NSW Asbestos Coordination Committee. Submissions In 2018-19 RENEW was hosted twice regionally, in Mudgee were made to the Circular Economy policy, the NSW Asbestos (May 2019) and Forster (August 2018). The main agenda items Waste Strategy 2018-22 and the Product Stewardship Act continued to be updates and discussions around Council Review final draft. This allows for regional perspectives to be issues with contamination in recycling, CDS rollouts, the new heard and considered in the policy design phase. Asbestos Coordination Committee and the 20 Year Waste Strategy. These meetings included a tour of Tuncurry Waste Management Facility and the Mudgee MRF. These visits and Coordinator’s updates at meetings, enable groups to examine other facilities, project ideas and resolve common issues. NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 22 1. 7 Illegal Dumping

Aim: To reduce illegal dumping across the NE Waste region and improve the Council’s capacity to respond to illegal dumping. ▶ A comprehensive communication program extended across the region and included seven Councils and 18 local print media articles; 725+ advertisements on five radio stations; with social The Regional Illegal Dumping program continues to provide resources, support and media reaching 43,000 and engagements 8,900 training to member Councils and sources funding via grant programs. In 2018 -19 ▶ Education resources developed to support the communication plan funding focussed on reducing illegal dumping at four identified dumping hotspots in included: illegaldumping.com.au; Regional ID brochure; stickers; Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley and Richmond Valley. street banners

A community survey at start and end of the project indicated a 12% Project activities and outcomes include: ▶ increase in awareness that leaving items on kerbside is illegal, a 6% ▶ Trialling prevention initiatives including permanent and temporary increase in knowledge of how to report ID and a 20% increase in signage, Variable Messaging Signs (VMS), rock barriers and fixed and knowledge of how to dispose of household problem waste mobile surveillance cameras. With the exception of the fixed cameras all Compared to the previous year, there were significant reductions were assessed as being relatively easy and cheap to duplicate in other ▶ (Ballina 40%, Byron 18%, Clarence Valley 24%, Richmond Valley hotspots 68%) in the total number of ID incidents indicating improvements ▶ The target of 50% reduction in dumping incidents was exceeded at the in ID awareness and behaviour across the region Ballina (Duck Creek Mountain Road) and Richmond Valley (Queensland Key Council staff participated in the Regional Illegal Dumping Road) hotspots ▶ Networking Forum, Investigative Interview Training and EPA RID ▶ Lower reductions were achieved at Byron (Industrial Estate) and Clarence online refresher training Valley (Carrs Drive, Yamba) hotspots ▶ Round 6 Clean Up and Prevention funding was secured to implement ▶ Intervention strategies at the hotspots did not generally result in relocation the next phase of the hotspot intervention program at Tweed and of dumping to alternative locations within the vicinity to continue to support all Councils with training and networking opportunities and a regional communication campaign NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 23 1. 8 Household Asbestos Disposal and Testing Project

Aim: To increase public awareness about the disposal of asbestos and improve their ability to deal with asbestos disposal safely

The Home Asbestos Testing Kit program has now been operational for four years. The program allows homeowners two free of charge tests to identify asbestos in their homes before undertaking renovations. It forwards advice from Safe Work and Next year the project recommends: provides information about professional asbestos removal in the region to encourage residents to do the right thing. ▶ The publication of the online database internally to allow In 2018-19 the program delivered 567 kits to seven Northern Rivers Councils. The key staff to access results promptly results for testing were 294 samples tested positive result for asbestos, and 273 ▶ To link results to building applications and planning negative readings. Positive readings are followed up by the project co-ordinator sections of Council to provide additional information. A survey of the program with local residents has ▶ To support Councils in developing policies processes and indicated a 100% positive response on the question ‘Are you supportive of Council procedures for rejected loads due to asbestos providing asbestos testing kits?’. New signage has been provided to Councils to be located at weighbridges, or where kits are collected, to inform and encourage ▶ To encourage Council to routinely promote this program residents to use the kits. ▶ Continue to provide media releases to Council NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 24 1. 9 Clean Up Country

Aim: This project aims to work with Local Aboriginal Land Councils and communities to build their capacity and assist to improve waste management and engagement with resource recovery

NE Waste received a Premiers Award for work with the Muli Muli community in Kyogle Shire, which was completed in August 2018. The award was in recognition of the work by partners in the project including the NSW EPA, NE Waste, Remondis, and the Muli-Muli community.

The two main Communities supported by NE Waste last year were the Baryugil and the Malabugilmah communities in the Clarence Valley. Malabugilmah Aboriginal community received funding in 2017/18 through the EPA’s Aboriginal Communities Waste Management Program. Baryulgil was successful in Round 2 (2018/19) of this funding. This funding allows each Aboriginal community to reduce litter and waste and develop effective waste management strategies. The communities have a common CEO, Ross James who NE Waste and Council have fostered a good relationship with.

During the year NE Waste engaged with the Malabugilmah community to develop educational activities and provide information to support the community and promote effective waste management knowledge and skills; and to share ideas and activities that other Aboriginal communities have implemented and connecting with these people and organisations. NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 25

In March 2019 NE Waste sought the assistance of the NSW EPA to implement a project at Baryulgil Transfer Station located approximately 80 km from Grafton on the Clarence Way. This is the only waste disposal facility in the Clarence Valley that has open access (24/7) with no supervision. The site services the Aboriginal communities of Baryulgil and Malabugilmah, and the surrounding rural communities. A review determined that there had been an increase in the quantity of waste left at the site and in the last 2-3 years there have been numerous instances of illegally dumped problem waste including asbestos (requiring licenced contractors to clean-up), bulk loads of tyres and hazardous wastes. The quantities of waste have also caused the site to be regularly overloaded, making the site unsafe and unusable. The health and safety of users of the site is a serious concern for Clarence Valley Council due to the uncontrolled dumping of wastes at the site.

A plan was developed and submitted to:

▶ Reduce waste disposal at the WTS by 50%

▶ Reduce clean-up frequency of the site by 50%

▶ Justify the ongoing part-time employment of supervisors after the trial

▶ Increase resource recovery opportunities

▶ Engage the whole community in communication around the changes to Baryulgil WTS A more comprehensive project plan outlined with activities to be undertaken and roles assigned to the various stakeholders.

Outcomes of the project would include

▶ Improved site signage and infrastructure

▶ A secure, manned site four days a week and surveillance for the timeframe of the trial

▶ Engagement with the community to provide training, information and to seek input

▶ Improved record keeping and monitoring

▶ A final report for EPA documenting the outcomes and results of the trial project NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 26

1. 10

Community Recycling Centres

Aim: To make it easier for residents to recycle problem household waste items and avoid putting them into their kerbside bins, by establishing a NE Waste regional network of free and easily accessible Community Recycling Centres, to receive low toxicity problem wastes.

2018-19 was the fourth year of the NE Waste Regional CRC Communication and Education Plan, the aim of which is to continue to increase community participation in the correct disposal of household problem waste materials at a CRC.

Community feedback indicated a 13% increase in the correct use of CRCs to dispose ▶ Development of two new CRC social media video clips targeting spring of target household waste items since 2016-17 with almost 50% having visited cleaning and home renovation and shared with other Regional Waste their CRC three times or more in the past 12 months. It was also highlighted that Groups household batteries and fluoro bulbs are still commonly disposed of in kerbside bins. This will be a focus for behavioural change in the 2019-21 plan. ▶ Collaborated with Byron Shire Council to distribute CRC information via Real Estate Agents, as part of a broader waste education campaign Key activities and outcomes in 2018 – 19 included: ▶ Implemented a comprehensive CRC communication program which included: TV advertising on two networks / eight stations (>2,500 ads), The collection of 197 tonnes of household problem wastes at an ▶ five regional cinemas (>3,000 ads), two radio stations (160+ paid ads), 10 estimated cost savings of $400,000 to Councils and the community bus back ads (10wk period), 18 print ads and media stories in nine regional ▶ Paints continue to be the item most commonly disposed of at the papers and via Councils, CRC flyers distributed to Councils, Real Estate and CRCs with 109 tonnes collected, however the quantity of by-catch at events (2000+) (non-target problem waste) increased to 13%, indicating the need ▶ The CRC social media program was significantly expanded this year to further improve communication on disposal via the regions four utilising all available video collateral to achieve a reach of 38,000 and household hazardous waste stores 11,000 engagements NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 27 1.11 Litter Prevention Project

Aim: To support NE Waste member Councils in delivering litter prevention initiatives that best address their local needs while contributing to achieving Regional and State Government goals in long term litter reduction.

In 2018-19 the ‘Pick it up and Bin it ‘(park litter) project was completed and the next stage of the ‘Litter – Regional Implementation Plan (L-RIP Stage 4), the ‘Highway Rest Area Improvement’ project began. ▶ Between 18 – 57% reduction in number of targeted (takeaway food Park Litter Reduction - Pick it up and Bin it Project packaging, drink containers, cigarette butts) litter at monitoring sites in each park ▶ Five community groups partnered in the project including ▶ Eight of the nine parks achieved reductions in excess of the 20% target Positive Change for Marine Life (PCFML), Lennox Community with an average overall reduction of 33% Garden Group, Lennox Head All Girls Surfriders, Mid-Richmond Neighbourhood Centre and Evans River Landcare ▶ A total of 53,679 items of litter, mainly micro-plastics and cigarette butts, with a volume of 3,702 litres was collected ▶ The groups managed a total of 97 park litter clean-up and engagement events between January and November 2018 ▶ 600+ hours of volunteer time was invested in on ground litter clean-up in nine high profile coastal parks situated in Lennox Head, activities, organising, promotion, data recording and public engagement

Brunswick Heads and Evan Head ▶ Litter display and activities involving Councils, NE Waste and the community groups at six local events: 490+ event goers visited the displays. 185 pledges were made to ‘pick up litter’ and ‘reduce single use plastics’. 152 people were involved in the ‘litter to art’ workshop sessions NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 28

▶ Resources developed to support the community groups included: banners, display boards, clean-up kits, vests, reusable clean-up and car litter bags, water bottles, a marquee, vehicle decals and park signage

▶ The project assisted groups to build their capacity to continue as leaders in the fight against litter, through sponsorship to attend the KNSWB Litter Congress and the provision of landcare tools and clean-up equipment

▶ Media program included: two visits from Dirtgirl, advertising at three cinemas, five radio stations, advertisements and editorial in nine regional papers and four Council’s newsletters

▶ Worked in partnership with Byron Shire Council to support the delivery of their grant funded Butt Free Byron Shire project

Roadside Litter Reduction - Pacific Highway Rest Area Improvement Project

This program is part of a statewide approach to reducing roadside littering on the Pacific Highway and key arterial road by establishing consistent bins and signage on the Pacific Highway extending from the Queensland border through the North Coast region to Sydney.

The project activities and outcomes so far:

▶ Working in partnership with NSW Roads & Maritime Services to implement a litter improvement plan for highway rest areas from Tweed Heads to South Grafton

▶ Site assessment, litter monitoring, service contractor and user surveys conducted to establish baseline data and develop the plan

▶ Improvements in progress at seven rest areas including 25 new bins and enclosures, litter signage at entry (warning) and exit (reminder & deterrent) points and on bins (instruction & validation)

Project began in April 2019 and to be completed early 2020 NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 29 1.12 Training

Aim: Provide training, professional development and networking opportunities for landfill and education staff in the region.

Training and professional development is an important part of making NE Waste a cohesive and collaborative entity. It enables contractors and Councils to build skills that contribute to an enhanced performance in their roles. In 2018- 19 a number of training events were provided by NE Waste and the EPA.

In 2018-19 the training was dedicated to Landfill Operator training. On advice from neighbouring Waste Groups, LOGICUS was engaged to deliver an intensive training course in Lismore over four days, with two groups. 26 operational staff from all Councils participated in the training and the evaluation was excellent.

The course focused on practical operational skills with demonstrations, management of issues such as leachate and WHS, as well as the NSW waste legislative and regulatory frameworks. NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 30 1.13 The Better Waste Recycling Fund

Aim: To support voluntary waste groups with regional coordination and infrastructure planning

In 2018-19 the Better Waste Recycling Fund was utilised to support and deliver one new project (Recycle Right) and support two existing projects (Business and Asbestos programs – see individual sections).

In response to the China National Sword Policy a regional recycling education campaign (#RecycleRight) was scoped to provide support to member Councils, through community education to avoid waste and reduce contamination in the The collateral produced included 1 x 30 second TVC, 1 x 15 second TVC, 6 social dry recyclables stream. media clips, a photo library and templates for posters, flyers and online signage. The aim was to re-educate and engage the community particularly with respect The TVC was shown 1,200 times on two networks over six months. Six Council’s to: reducing contamination in recycling bins, avoiding unnecessary waste web sites and NE Waste’s website promoted the clips to our region and there were generation and valuing products made from recyclable material. Research 20 events that focused on face-to-face recycling education. into current recycling knowledge, attitudes and practices across the region Five other Regional Waste Groups, the ACT and two Councils in Queensland via a community survey was undertaken. Then a range of strategies for a adopted the campaign. comprehensive behavioural change program, inclusive of a community survey, face-to-face education, bin monitoring, social media and the development of promotional products was implemented. A Bin Monitoring program with street presence called Lift the Lid involved checking bins for a period of five days in streets in each Council area. NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 31 1.14 Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) in Multi Unit Dwellings (MUDS)

AIM: To increase the use of organics collection in MUDS and reduce to identify any correlation between contamination in the organic bins contamination and recycling bins. Our engagement strategy continues to be based on the traditional methods we have tried in other projects; our desire to continue with NE Waste secured $88,000 in funding for a new organics project a face-to-face approach supported by an information campaign in early 2018. The trial aimed to investigate why MUDs don’t and some more recent techniques used in our Litter and LFHW access FOGO kerbside services and how participation could be engagements. Interventions so far have included meeting with maximised, and contamination minimised. residents and conducting surveys, installing bin bay signage, using bin tagging and a call to action post card. Residential and emergency public housing properties have been targeted in Lismore. Owner-occupier, with short term Some bin bay cleaning, painting and repairs have also taken place with and long-term rental properties was targeted in the Tweed and assistance from residence and body corporates. A pop-up face-to- Byron Shires. Baseline audits were completed in late 2018 and face information/education event will be undertaken at the end of the early 2019 to establish the volume of organics in red and green project. The performance of the trial will be evaluated when all data is bins and identify any contamination. The different education collected and analysed with the KPI's being a reduction in organics in engagement techniques and 'interventions' have been rolled the residual bin and an increase of organics in FOGO bins. out consecutively; each 'intervention' is in place for 2-3 months before the following audit and intervention. The last audits will This project will provide Councils with accurate costings, real information be completed by the end of 2019. Bins have been monitored and achievable recommendations to inform their own future strategies regularly to observe variations in waste collection volumes and to improve contamination and FOGO uptake and practices in MUD's. NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 32 1.15 Food Donation Feasibility Study

Aim: To assess the feasibility of a regional food hub/s and identify the needs, consider a major physical food distribution centre to be the only opportunities and barriers to successful collaboration amongst donors and solution to their core issues around access to food. The complexity food donation agencies. of establishing, and the ongoing management, were considered the main barriers to a hub and the size of the region made one central hub untenable. It became very clear during the course of our analysis In 2018 -19 NE Waste undertook a Food Donation Feasibility study. A number of different that many of the improvements that could be made for agencies and food hub and donation models were examined and the main issues facing the agencies and donors were dependent on an increase in human resources. While donors were identified through a series of surveys, focus groups, interviews and a forum. grant funding could provide for infrastructure it did not provide for the person hours needed to conduct administrative work, organise people The study determined that the key challenges for participants centred around the and collections, and foster better relationships to increase access to inconsistent supply of produce, the difficulty in attracting and retaining volunteers, the lack food. of ongoing financial support for operational activities, a lack of skills and information within donor organisations/ agencies, and a lack of infrastructure and food donation policy. Our recommendations focused on the need to:

Stakeholders saw potential solutions in: ▶ Build capacity for ongoing funding, promotion and support of existing programs ▶ Better communication between store and agency ▶ Identify means to improve access to fresh, refrigerated ▶ Training and recognition of volunteers and frozen foods on a regular basis

▶ Formal agreements ▶ Improve infrastructure to support ongoing management

▶ Raising of awareness around food donation regulations ▶ Increase networking and collaboration amongst ▶ Working collaboratively with other agencies around freight and food sharing agencies and donors and other stakeholders Although the above needs are not prioritised, capacity building to ▶ Raising funds or applying for grants to secure ongoing operational support provide ongoing funding needs to be addressed before several other Our feasibility study determined that the majority of food donation agencies did not recommendations made can be undertaken. NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 33

COUNCILS AND 2 RESOURCE RECOVERY The recovery of resources across the region through shared contracts and individual Council effort continues to increase. We continue to look for opportunities and initiatives to increase diversion through recycling, removing problematic elements from our landfills and encouraging the reuse of limited resources. NORTH EAST WASTE  2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 34 2.1 New Council Initiatives

During 2018-19 NE Waste Councils implemented a range of new programs and services. Key changes and achievements are outlined below.

Ballina Shire Council