Shires to form waste education program

Councils have secured $75,000 in joint funding with Ararat Rural City to establish a program aimed at improving residents’ waste disposal as part of the state government’s Sustainable Business Capacity initiative.

It’s understood Golden Plains will spearhead the initiative through a steering committee that will feature representatives from other contributing shires.

“This initiative will allow the four councils to work together to deliver a standardised regional education program aimed at engaging with and educating residents about how they can be even greener,” Golden Plains Mayor Des Phelan said.

“The plan includes greater community engagement and education, school education program and a promotional campaign.

“We are keen to get started working in partnership with our fellow councils, but also with our residents, as recent focus groups indicated they want more of a partnership approach.”

State-wide, 16 councils will share in $270,700 to develop shared approaches to a range of sustainable initiatives primarily aimed at at reducing kerbside waste and improving recycling rates, in turn reducing council costs and helping the environment.

Joint-council proposals were invited for initiatives which provide innovative solutions to procurement or shared services delivery, invest in more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable technologies, support councils to reduce waste and support innovators in the waste management and recycling industry.

A second round of funding is expected to be announced in the coming months.

Pyrenees Shire chief executive Jim Nolan said bringing behavioral change to recycling is crucial for the management of  

“The project highlights the importance of education in bringing about behavioral change in how we value our resources and reduce waste,” Mr Nolan said.