The feasibility study began in mid-2021 when Council received a $10,000 grant from Sustainability Victoria.
JustWaste Consulting was appointed by Council to conduct the study, with the final report recently being received.
The report highlighted the following recommendations:
- Due to favourable social, economic and environmental conditions, it is initially recommended to introduce one Resale Shop
- The shop's most fit-for-purpose management model will be Council-managed and staffed;
- Council could staff the shop with the Transfer Station Operator on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with an additional member hired for Saturday and Sunday operations; and
- An operational surplus of approximately $20,904 is anticipated to be generated from the savings through waste diversion and shop takings.
Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks said the site selected as the most appropriate venue is the Nagambie Resource Recovery Centre.
"Based on community feedback, accessibility, site infrastructure, material input and operational costs, Nagambie is recommended as the site to introduce Council's first Resale Shop," Cr Binks said.
"There is an expected cost of around $105,000 to upgrade the site with appropriate infrastructure, which means Council will be required to seek funding to establish the Resale Shop.
"There is the potential to help fund the required infrastructure from the second round of the same grant program in which we received the original feasibility grant funding from Recycling Victoria Councils Fund.
Council was one of 26 successful projects in the first round of the Recycling Victoria Councils Fund to fund the feasibility study.
"The community had the chance to provide its feedback last year for the study which was included and considered in the final reports and recommendations," Cr Binks said.
"We saw there was lots of passion to introduce a resale shop, furthering Council's goal to sustainably manage its natural and built environment, through further diversion of waste from landfill.
Cr Binks highlighted another awesome potential outcome if the shop is instated.
"Excitingly, any potential operational surplus will allow Council to kickstart a new Sustainability Fund, where community groups in our Shire may be able to apply and fund new green initiatives"
Councillors endorsed the report at the monthly Council Meeting on Tuesday 19 April, 2022.
This project is supported by the Recycling Victoria Councils Fund, delivered by Sustainability Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government.
