Draft Waste Services Policy

At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 15 February 2024, Council resolved to put the Draft Waste Services Policy on public exhibition from Monday 26 February 2024 for a minimum of 28 days.

The Waste Services Policy is a new policy for Council, but also incorporates the previous content from the Developments, Public Place & Events Waste Minimisation and Management Policy. The new policy covers service provisions, fees and charges, and internal processes and requirements, as well as providing a formally adopted Council position on Waste Management within the Local Government Area.

Key points outlined in the new policy which were not previously included in the existing policy are:

• Waste services provided by the Council, including responsibilities of Council, contractors and community members.
• Operations of the domestic waste bin system, including acceptable and prohibited items.
• Standards and practices for domestic kerbside collection services.
• Guidelines for using public place bins.
• Prohibited items and contamination in all bin types with a focus on kerbside collection.
• Process for requesting extension of kerbside collection service area.
• Waste disposal facilities operated by the Council, including acceptable items, fees, conditions and limitations.
• Available types of waste collection and disposal for residents.
• Articulation of current waste service levels.
• Fees and charges related to waste collection, disposal and management.

Changes to aspects previously covered in the Developments, Public Place & Events Waste Minimisation and Management Policy include:

• Waste requirements for new developments, including construction waste, have undergone minor administrative changes but remain largely unchanged from the previous policy.
• Previously, all events required an Event Waste Management Plan, but now only large events (expected crowds over 1,000 people) need to submit one.
• The mandatory provision of FOGO/Organics bins at events has been removed, although their inclusion is still encouraged where feasible.
• Some waste management details for events have been relocated from the policy to the Event Waste Management Guidelines to streamline information and avoid confusion caused by differing wording between the policy and guidelines.

Have Your Say

You can provide your feedback on the Draft Waste Services Policy by:

• Completing the online survey; or
• Emailing your feedback to council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au; or
• Posting to:
  Chief Executive Officer
  Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
  PO Box 84
  Port Macquarie NSW 2444

All submissions must be received by close of business Sunday 24 March 2024.