Waste Management Strategy - full version - City of Whittlesea

2 Policy ContextThe MWM&RRS (2012-2020) has been developed within the context of relevant legislation, policiesand strategies at a national, state, regional and local level.The following section provides a description of the key legislation, policies, strategies and other relevantreports on waste management influencing the development of this municipal strategy.2.1 Relevant Legislation & AgencyAustralia has a three-tier system of government consisting of national, state and local levels. The regulation ofwaste management responsibilities within Australia, as defined within constitutional arrangements, falls withinthe jurisdiction of the states and territories (Constitution Act 1975).2.1.1 National Product Stewardship ActThe Product Stewardship Act 2011 came into effect on 8 August 2011. This legislation provides the frameworkto effectively manage the environmental, health and safety impacts of products, and in particular, thoseimpacts associated with the disposal of products. The framework includes voluntary, co-regulatory andmandatory product stewardship. The passage of the legislation delivers on a key commitment by the FederalGovernment under the National Waste Policy, agreed by state governments in November 2009, and endorsedby the Council of Australian Governments in August 2010 (DSEWPC 2012).National Television and Computer Recycling SchemeOn 3 November 2011, the Federal Government made new regulations to support the National Television andComputer Recycling Scheme. The regulations require importers and manufacturers of televisions, computersand computer products to fund and implement recycling services for these products, and to meet a range ofother requirements.Under the scheme, householders and small business will be able to drop off these items at designated accesspoints, which may include permanent collection sites, take-back events or through a mail-back option.Collection services under the scheme will be progressively rolled out by industry from 2012 in a limitedcapacity, expanding across metropolitan, regional and remote areas of Australia by the end of 2013 (DSEWPC2012).Final details of the program are currently being negotiated for Whittlesea with accredited recyclers. It isexpected there will be an event style collection day for the recovery of these items at various times during2012.2.1.2 Carbon Price & Emission Trading SystemOn 10 July 2011, the Prime Minister released the Federal Government’s ‘Clean Energy Future Plan’. Thecentrepiece of the plan is the introduction of a carbon price starting at $23 per tonne of carbon dioxide from 1July 2012, and payable by Australia’s 500 most carbon-intensive businesses. A fixed carbon price will remain inplace for three years rising by 2.5 per cent in 2013 and 2014. From 2015, the fixed price will be replaced by anemissions trading system with the price determined by the market. (Maddocks 2011; Municipal Association ofVictoria 2011).Liability for the carbon price falls on sites emitting 25,000 tonnes of CO2-e or more. The methods to determineliabilities are those of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Act. The liable entity is generallythe organisation with operational control of the facility.21