[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Devonport City Council Should Rethink Recycling Decision_C O'Connor MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

DEVONPORT CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO RETHINK RECYCLING DECISION

Dumping Recyclable Goods in Landfill Not Acceptable

Cassy O'Connor MP
Greens Shadow Environment Spokesperson

Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today raised concerns about the Devonport City
Council's decision to not pay its share of a proposed regional recycling
contract and to abandon kerbside recycling from next year.  

Greens Shadow Environment spokesperson Cassy O'Connor MP said the basis
of the move to abandon recycling - that the environment will be better
off if recyclable goods are dumped in Devonport's Dulverton landfill
site - did not appear to be supported by fact, and called upon the DCC
to rethink its decision.   

Ms O'Connor also raised concerns about the effect that the DCC's
decision will have on the proposed recycling contract for the six other
local Councils in the area, after revelations that the Burnie City
Council's participation is dependent upon all other local Councils
participating in the regional recycling contract.

"A return to the bad old days of dumping everything in landfill is
simply not viable in the 21st Century and I believe that the closeness
of the vote in the DCC over this matter, seven votes in favour versus
five votes against, reflects the concerns of many people about the
deliberate dumping of recyclable goods," said Ms O'Connor.

"The removal of the Devonport Council area from the regional recycling
contract has the potential to drive up costs for everyone else in the
North West and could marginalise recycling for the entire region."

"The Greens urge all parties in this matter, including the seven
Councils and the Cradle-Coast Authority, to work together to ensure that
kerbside recycling remains viable on the North West Coast." 


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Text of motion tabled by Cassy O'Connor MP:

That this House notes that: 

1. Notes that kerbside recycling is a key component of responsible,
modern waste management practice as a means of reducing landfill and
ensuring the more efficient reuse of recyclable materials;

2. Expresses its concern over the decision by the Devonport City Council
not to pay its share of the regional recycling contract and to abandon
kerbside recycling from next year;

3. Notes that the motion was not unanimous and carried 7 councillors to
5;

4. Further notes that the Council's decision may push up the cost per
tonne of recycling for other North West coast municipalities, and
potentially places at risk the entire regional recycling contract;

5. Respectfully urges all parties in this matter, including the Cradle
Coast Authority, Devonport, Latrobe, Kentish, Central-Coast, Burnie,
Waratah-Wynyard and Circular Head councils, to work together to ensure
kerbside recycling on the coast is both viable and achieving the twin
aims of keep good recyclable material out of our landfills, as well as
encouraging people to think about their patterns of material consumption
and waste production.





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