2015-16 Annual Report 2015-16 Annual Report | Page 106

4.3 Sustainable waste management
4.3.1 Plan , deliver and manage efficient and sustainable waste and resource management services .
4.3.2 Plan and deliver an integrated waste infrastructure network .
4.3.3 Minimise the impacts of waste generation through modified consumer behaviour , effective recycling infrastructure and practices , and the reduction of emissions from landfill .
2014-15 96 % 63 %
100 % 100 %
2015-16 52 % 93 %
48 % 45 %
STATUS
Managing the Toowoomba Region ’ s ecological footprint is an important focus of Council and this year we have looked to enhance and provide the blueprint for how our region will manage its waste into the future . Reducing the waste that goes into landfill and allowing opportunities for recycling and reuse of materials is a core focus and with a strong regional waste management plan , these goals will be further enhanced over the coming years . It ’ s not just our waste transfer and management facilities that Council continually updates and analyses , we also look for the way we service household waste and service delivery standards to our residents . Improving our environmental practices and reducing our landfill waste will ensure the Toowoomba Region remains a clean and sustainable place for our residents and visitors to work , rest and play for years to come .

Our challenges

• Building adequate waste facilities for current population and accommodating potential future regional growth
• Educating our community on the importance of recycling and sustainable use of resources .

Our achievements

• Completion of the state-of-the-art Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility on O ’ Mara Road in Charlton
• Removal of legacy waste drums from the former Clifton waste site
• Completion of a region-wide kerbside audit
• Education of over 6,000 residents on sustainable water , waste and tours of Council-owned waste and water facilities .

Community outcomes

Completion of the Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility
This year saw the completion of the Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility ( GTWMF ); the blueprint for the future of the region ’ s waste management . The GTWMF provides 70 per cent of residents in our region with a waste facility within a 20 minute drive and has significantly improved the core waste function of Council . In the first six weeks ,
Council increased compaction rates in the residual waste transfer shed by between 300 and 400 per cent . Waste services are an important function of Council and we need to be a leader in this field for a cleaner , less wasteful and more sustainable future . The new facility allows residents the opportunity for easier , user-friendly options to separate their recyclables and reusable items on site , reducing Council ’ s diversion rates to landfill and increasing recycling capacity . The Facility also has a new , larger Smart Tip shop , weigh bridge and CCTV facilities to analyse data and allow greater visibility on operations and service growth pockets for residents across the region .
Integrated Waste Management Facility Network
The completion of the GTWMF as a pilot has resulted in a change in the way the Toowoomba Region manages its waste . This financial year saw the completion of a contract to prepare development applications and detailed design for the development of Cecil Plains , Cooyar , Evergreen and Emu Creek Waste Transfer Facilities . The operations and procedures from the GTWMF will form the strategic plan for waste operations and will ensure Council maintains its support for our ecological footprint and reduce the tonnage of landfill across the region .
This year also saw the start of a review of the Strategic Waste Management Plan that set out a range of objectives and actions for dealing with waste in the region . This plan will replace the 2011- 2015 Strategic Waste Management Plan and will be formally adopted in the following financial year .
A key focus of Council this financial year has been minimising the impacts of waste generation by educating the community and reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill . This has seen significant work carried out in a region-wide waste composition analysis , examining residential bin contents , how we can best educate residents on common waste misplacement and planning for future recycling needs . This composition analysis was complemented by a customer survey with the results to be finalised in the next financial year .
Rehabilitation of closed waste sites
With the closure of a number of waste sites , it is important that we look at how to rehabilitate these areas . Phase one of rehabilitation for our closed sites has included the removal of legacy drums from the former Clifton site and inspections to formulate the scope of phase two ongoing maintenance .
106 CHAPTER 4 Our goals TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL Annual Report 2015 - 2016