Council adopts forward-looking Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy

15 December 2022

Hawkesbury City Council has adopted one of its most important community plans – the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2032 – outlining the path ahead for tackling the growing and evolving challenges and opportunities of managing waste in the Hawkesbury.

The strategy was devised following extensive and detailed community consultation in 2021 and 2022, including the Waste Services Survey which received more than 1,900 responses. The strategy contains both the plans for waste in the Hawkesbury as well as a report on the feedback from the consultation feedback. The Strategy was adopted by Councillors at the 13 December 2022 Council Meeting.

Key highlights from the Strategy include:

- The introduction of FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) waste services to help reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfill. The timing for such a scheme is to be advised once further details on how the systems would operate is provided by the State Government

- Expansion of reuse initiatives such as the Reuse Shed at the Waste Management Facility

- Investigating the expansion of recycling schemes to capture single use plastics, soft plastics and polystyrene

- The need for greater community education on how best to manage waste in the home and in a business environment, and support for in-home and in-business waste reduction initiatives

- Ongoing exploration of options for waste disposal once the current Waste Management Facility reaches capacity in 2026

The findings of the strategy found while the majority of residents were satisfied with Council’s handling of waste, many want Council to take affirmative action on sustainability and managing waste while striking a balance between cost and environmental benefit.

Council is committed to effective waste and environmental management in the Hawkesbury and working closely with the community to achieve the best possible outcomes in a responsible manner.

Residents can view the adopted Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2032 at https://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/224810/20221213AT1toItem216.pdf