The Augusta Margaret River Shire have delayed making a decision on contributing to a shared waste project officer.
The Bunbury Wellington Group of Councils, which includes the shire agreed at its last meeting on June 11 to appoint a project officer to identify potential waste solutions as a matter of priority.
The project officer would be funded for 12 months by all of the local governments but will hosted by the City of Busselton.
At the Shire of Capel council meeting on June 27, the council agreed to support the allocation of a project officer and contribute $3,276 towards the position.
The Shire of Capel’s agenda showed a list of what each local government could contribute to the position.
However, not all councils have agreed to the contribution yet, including the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.
Director Sustainable Development Dale Putland said a decision would be delayed because of the shire’s progress on its waste feasibility study.
“The study is investigating solutions to the Shire’s waste as we transition from landfill to waste reuse and whilst the shire is keen to be part of the Regional South West solution, the shire does not wish to duplicate the work already undertaken,” she said.
“The shire has advised the other local governments in the south west that it is willing to share the results of its Feasibility Study.”
The study is due to be finished by September 2018 where two models will be presented for public comment.
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Earlier in the year the state government took back $4 million of Royalties for Regions funding to the group because a shared waste site could not be agreed on.
The group of councils also met in May where two presentations were made on potential waste solutions for the region.
Waste management company Talis Consultants showed local governments in the metro area are moving away from direct ownership and private public partnerships of waste facilities and are engaging private providers, on a fee for service basis, to take over and manage waste. Waste to energy company InRim also presented to the group and explained how a waste to energy plant works. It also said it was working with Albemarle on a possible future power supply proposal at Kemerton.
City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley said no feasibility study has been done for a waste to energy plant in the South West but it was still an option for the region.
Jemillah Dawson
I started as a journalist in 2011 and now manage mastheads in the South West of WA. My passion is politics and sport. I believe we are the voice for the community but also we inform the community of what they need to know. Email jemillah.dawson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I started as a journalist in 2011 and now manage mastheads in the South West of WA. My passion is politics and sport. I believe we are the voice for the community but also we inform the community of what they need to know. Email jemillah.dawson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
