Southern Grampians Shire Council has released the draft Waste Management Strategy 2022-2026 for community consultation.
The draft Strategy has been developed as part of Council's continued commitment to a circular waste economy and to work towards a sustainable future for the Southern Grampians.
Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Bruach Colliton said it was clear during the recent Council Plan engagement that there is significant aspiration in our community to improve sustainability and waste practices around the region.
"This Strategy has been developed via significant community input," said Cr Colliton. "It became clear when Council was engaging on the current Council Plan and Vision, that our communities and especially our young people were concerned with developing practices that can contribute to a greener future.
"Taking on board that feedback and harnessing ideas from residents, we have developed a vision for a Southern Grampians community to be engaged in waste reduction and to actively re-use and recover resources that will benefit the local environment and economy.
"To help us to achieve this vision of waste reduction, Council aims to reduce waste generation by promoting the use of recycled products, improving recovery of resources by more efficient practices and by working closely with local businesses and industry," Cr Colliton said.
The draft Strategy will also look to establish initiatives that increase recycling and the repurposing of discarded but otherwise valuable materials to help prevent usable items ending up in landfill.
The Strategy aims to establish meaningful engagement with State Government through the future Recycling Victoria agency to reduce waste to landfill, provide for more and improved recycling and establish a sustainable and thriving circular economy within the Southern Grampians region.
"Residents are invited to provide further ideas and feedback on the Strategy to help us plan for a sustainable future," concluded Cr Colliton.
Community members can view the draft Strategy and provide feedback online at https://www.sthgrampians.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=1397.
*Feedback closes 5:00pm Friday 4 February 2022.
