We’re pleased to share that, in collaboration with our member councils we have submitted a formal response to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Draft Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan.
The initial chapter of the EPA’s plan focuses heavily on addressing the looming capacity shortfalls in residual and organics waste processing infrastructure across Greater Sydney. While this focus is welcome, our submission highlights the critical importance of ensuring regional needs are equally considered.
Our member councils have called on the EPA to:
- Extend streamlined planning processes for critical waste infrastructure to regional areas, not just Greater Sydney.
- Engage with owners of existing regional landfill assets to explore their potential role in servicing Greater Sydney’s needs.
- Support the development of Energy from Waste (EfW) projects in socially supported locations, including clear planning pathways and NSW Government-led community engagement to improve public understanding.
- Ensure strategic land use planning protects vital waste infrastructure from incompatible development.
- Deliver equitable reinvestment of the waste levy into regional areas to fund infrastructure, support procurement, and maintain coordination across councils.
We welcome the EPA’s leadership in this space and strongly support the delivery of infrastructure that will help meet NSW’s 80% resource recovery target by 2030, while protecting environmental and human health.
Read the full submission on our website for more information and resources.