Agenda of Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee Meeting

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

What is a “Conflict of Interests” - A conflict of interests can be of two types:

Pecuniary - an interest that a person has in a matter because of a reasonable likelihood or expectation of appreciable financial gain or loss to the person or another person with whom the person is associated.

Non-pecuniary – a private or personal interest that a Council official has that does not amount to a pecuniary interest as defined in the Code of Conduct for Councillors (eg. A friendship, membership of an association, society or trade union or involvement or interest in an activity and may include an interest of a financial nature).

Remoteness – a person does not have a pecuniary interest in a matter if the interest is so remote or insignificant that it could not reasonably be regarded as likely to influence any decision the person might make in relation to a matter or if the interest is of a kind specified in the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

Who has a Pecuniary Interest? - a person has a pecuniary interest in a matter if the pecuniary interest is the interest of the person, or another person with whom the person is associated (see below).

Relatives, Partners - a person is taken to have a pecuniary interest in a matter if:

· The person’s spouse or de facto partner or a relative of the person has a pecuniary interest in the matter, or

· The person, or a nominee, partners or employer of the person, is a member of a company or other body that has a pecuniary interest in the matter.

N.B. “Relative”, in relation to a person means any of the following:

(a) the parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, lineal descends or adopted child of the person or of the person’s spouse;

(b) the spouse or de facto partners of the person or of a person referred to in paragraph (a)

No Interest in the Matter - however, a person is not taken to have a pecuniary interest in a matter:

· If the person is unaware of the relevant pecuniary interest of the spouse, de facto partner, relative or company or other body, or

· Just because the person is a member of, or is employed by, the Council.

· Just because the person is a member of, or a delegate of the Council to, a company or other body that has a pecuniary interest in the matter provided that the person has no beneficial interest in any shares of the company or body.

Disclosure and participation in meetings

· A Councillor or a member of a Council Committee who has a pecuniary interest in any matter with which the Council is concerned and who is present at a meeting of the Council or Committee at which the matter is being considered must disclose the nature of the interest to the meeting as soon as practicable.

· The Councillor or member must not be present at, or in sight of, the meeting of the Council or Committee:

(a) at any time during which the matter is being considered or discussed by the Council or Committee, or

(b) at any time during which the Council or Committee is voting on any question in relation to the matter.

No Knowledge - a person does not breach this Clause if the person did not know and could not reasonably be expected to have known that the matter under consideration at the meeting was a matter in which he or she had a pecuniary interest.

Non-pecuniary Interests - Must be disclosed in meetings.

There are a broad range of options available for managing conflicts & the option chosen will depend on an assessment of the circumstances of the matter, the nature of the interest and the significance of the issue being dealt with. Non-pecuniary conflicts of interests must be dealt with in at least one of the following ways:

· It may be appropriate that no action be taken where the potential for conflict is minimal. However, Councillors should consider providing an explanation of why they consider a conflict does not exist.

· Limit involvement if practical (eg. Participate in discussion but not in decision making or vice-versa). Care needs to be taken when exercising this option.

· Remove the source of the conflict (eg. Relinquishing or divesting the personal interest that creates the conflict)

· Have no involvement by absenting yourself from and not taking part in any debate or voting on the issue as of the provisions in the Code of Conduct (particularly if you have a significant non-pecuniary interest)

RECORDING OF VOTING ON PLANNING MATTERS

Clause 375A of the Local Government Act 1993 – Recording of voting on planning matters

(1) In this section, planning decision means a decision made in the exercise of a function of a council under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979:

(a) including a decision relating to a development application, an environmental planning instrument, a development control plan or a development contribution plan under that Act, but

(b) not including the making of an order under that Act.

(2) The general manager is required to keep a register containing, for each planning decision made at a meeting of the council or a council committee, the names of the councillors who supported the decision and the names of any councillors who opposed (or are taken to have opposed) the decision.

(3) For the purpose of maintaining the register, a division is required to be called whenever a motion for a planning decision is put at a meeting of the council or a council committee.

(4) Each decision recorded in the register is to be described in the register or identified in a manner that enables the description to be obtained from another publicly available document, and is to include the information required by the regulations.

(5) This section extends to a meeting that is closed to the public.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 3.1

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report No. 3.1 Introduction to Council's Sustainability Program

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Julia Adams, Sustainability Team Leader

File No: I2022/459

Summary:

This report provides an introduction and short update on the key sustainability and climate change projects across Council. Project managers will speak to their items.

RECOMMENDATION:

1. That the Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee notes the updates in the report.

2. That the Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee recommends to Council that the annual membership with Climate Emergency Australia continues.

Attachments:

1 Regional State of the Environment Report - 2016 to 2020, E2021/135168 , page 16⇩

Report

The sustainability team manages several different projects, including but not limited to Council’s Net Zero Emissions Strategy and Action Plan, the Climate Change Adaptation Plan, community gardens, public car share initiatives, and various partnerships with external organisations.

Key Sustainability Updates

State of the Environment Report 2020

· The 2020 Regional State of the Environment report is the third prepared for the North Coast NSW region. It involved collaboration between 12 councils and reports on environmental conditions at both a regional and local level from 2012 to 2020. (Delays are due to COVID-19)

· The report is divided into four main sections: people and the environment, biodiversity and vegetation, land and soils, and water.

· Attached is the summary for the 2016 to 2020 reporting period (see Attachment 1 E2021/135168).

Finalisation of Council’s Operational Emissions Boundary

· Climate Active certification process – Council is progressing towards its Climate Active goal of carbon neutrality (Res 19-634), as part of its net zero target. As part of this process, Council must complete its emissions boundary and include scope 3 emissions.

· Staff have been working with consultants for several months to compile the data required to report on scope 3 emissions. As a result, the following emissions sources will be added to our annual emissions inventory:

o Fuel use – recycled waste trucks

o Paper

o IT equipment and software

o Office equipment

o Food and catering

o Postage and couriers

o Car share services

o Waste from council operations

o Air travel

o Business accommodation

o Employee commute

o Telecomunications

o Cleaning supplies and services

o Stationery

o Chemicals

o Entertainment

o Business services

o Advertising

o Legal fees

o Education and training

o Asphalt

o Concrete

o Other road-building materials

o Machinery and vehicle repairs

o Equipment hire

o Clothing

· It is expected that the addition of scope 3 sources will increase our emissions boundary by approximately 5,521 tCO₂e-, taking the total to approximately 15,097 tCO₂e-.

· The top three emissions sources are landfill fugitive emissions, asphalt, and diesel (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. Byron Shire Council’s operational emissions inventory, including scopes 1, 2 and 3.

· Staff plan to report on Council’s complete emissions boundary from 2022, in preparation for Climate Active certification.

Solar Assets Annual Report

· Council currently has 15 solar PV arrays totalling 615kW that are installed across 13 sites.

· In FY2021 Council’s solar generated approximately 796MWh of renewable electricity, which in turn translated into approximately $117,407 in savings and 629 tCO₂e- in emissions savings.

For Period from 1/5/2021-30/4/2022	Size (kW)	Project Cost ($)	Savings ($)	Earnings ($)	Total ROI ($)	Payback (years)	(MWh)	tCO₂e-
Byron STP	152	275,257	25,087	735	25,822	11	208	164
Byron STP (Old System)	52	76,500	8,562	51	8,613	9	75	59
Brunswick Valley STP	99	136,883	16,105	377	16,482	8	132	104
Mullumbimby Admin Building Carpark	99	330,000	15,263	2,085	17,348	19	127	100
Byron Bay Library	60	60,000	19,460	1,404	20,864	3	88	70
Bangalow STP	51	76,030	8,042	166	8,208	9	66	52
Cavanbah Centre	25	25,300	9,133	324	9,457	3	36	28
Resource Recovery Centre - 2	15	15,000	2,922	487	3,409	4	18	14
Sandhills Childcare Centre	13	12,600	2,568	421	2,989	4	16	12
Mullumbimby Drill Hall	12	15,570	471	537	1,008	15	7	5
Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Centre	10	20,009	1,017	401	1,418	14	10	8
Resource Recovery Centre - 1	10	65,000	0	0	0	0	0	0
Durrumbul Hall	8	19,688	508	348	856	23	8	6
Brunswick Valley Community Centre	5	22,275	0	0	0	0	0	0
Mullumbimby Civic Hall	5	9,906	818	115	933	11	7	6
TOTAL	615	$1,160,018	$109,956	$7,451	$117,407		796	629

*Solar sites currently out of order and under investigation.

External Partnerships Update

· Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership (CPP)

o Free membership that provides staff and councillors with access to a nation-wide community of LG sustainability teams, knowledge resource library, educational webinars and reports.

o Council Connect – online collaborative platform for members to connect, share knowledge and create opportunities. For example, the sustainability team is now part of an electric vehicle working group.

o https://citiespowerpartnership.org.au/

· ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability

o ICLEI supports local governments across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific to accelerate climate action and sustainable urban development

o Council currently pays an annual fee of approximately $1,100 for membership to ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability.

o Staff reviewed the membership in 2021 and have decided to remain a member and supporter of the ICLEI Oceania community in order for council’s emissions reduction efforts to contribute to global efforts.

o https://www.icleioceania.org/

· Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)

o A global alliance of cities and local governments sharing goals for an action-oriented approach to climate change for the transition to low-emission and resilient societies. It is the largest global network of local councils taking action on climate change.

o Council reports its emissions to the CDP and GCoM on an annual basis, and has subsequently been awarded both Mitigation and Adaptation ‘badges’ under this alliance.

o https://www.gcom-oceania.org/members/byron

· Climate Emergency Australia (CEA)

o Council has been trialling a one year membership with CEA. CEA is a network of local governments working together to have all levels of government acknowledge and respond to the climate emergency. It was formed as a response to the over 90 municipalities across Australia declaring a climate emergency, and represents the collective LGAs in the movement.

o Staff recommend that Council continue its annual membership of $1,000, and thus support the climate emergency movement across Australia.

o CEA - Home (climateemergencyaustralia.org.au)

· Sustain Energy

o The Sustain Energy Working Group is a network of councils, regional peak bodies and community renewable energy groups facilitating the transition to renewable energy in the Northern Rivers. The group was established as a subset of the broader Sustain Northern Rivers collaboration in 2008 and has been delivering on ground and research based energy outcomes since then.

o The group meets quarterly to share project learnings, prepare submissions, apply for grants, and disseminate information and deliver regional projects.

o https://www.sustainenergynr.org.au/

· Zero Emissions Byron

o Council collaborates with local community organisation, Zero Emissions Byron, on a regular basis to support them in their goal to transition our community to net zero emissions.

o See separate report on Zero Emissions Byron for more detailed information.

· Climate Clever

o Council participated in a one year trial partnership with software platform Climate Clever. This partnership provided all schools and residents with a 50% discount on a subscription, and council also pre-purchased 50 subscriptions for households, provided on a first come, first served basis, and one for a local school, awarded through an expression of interest process.

o Unfortunately community uptake was very low and it was found to be very challenging to incorporate into the existing school programming

o As of January 2022, the household platform has become free for everyone and no longer has paid tiers. There are also free versions available to schools and businesses.

o As a result of these changes, Council now has a free partnership in place with Climate Clever until 24^th January 2023. This offer includes upgrading Council to a tier 2 Partnership Program, equivalent of $5,000/year. Benefits include five community information sessions per year and live user data according to postcode.

o Staff and Zero Emissions Byron will be collaborating to promote these free programs later in 2022.

o https://www.climateclever.org/

Energy Efficiency for Mullumbimby Administration Building

· Energy Efficiency for Mullumbimby Administration Building

· Operational Plan activity 3.2.1.11 – Investigate energy efficiency upgrade of Mullumbimby Administration Building (action A4 in Net Zero Emissions Action Plan).

· Staff investigated the opportunities available for a bulk lighting upgrade at the Mullumbimby Administration Office and found that it would not be an efficient use of funds.

· Due to the combination of fluorescent, CFL and old LED lighting in the building, the energy savings would not be large enough to generate significant energy savings.

· The FY2022/23 operational plan includes an activity to identify a project for our revolving energy fund. The sustainability team plans to consider solar for either the administration building or depot site as potential project options.

Climate Conversations to replace Sustainability Awards

· In 2019/20 Council reignited the Sustainability Awards program in council, whereby the community were asked to nominate and then vote for an organisation, individual or community group in several different categories, including sustainability, biodiversity, waste and water. The awards received a low number of nominations and votes, and as a result the Awards were turned into a “showcase” where every nominee was a winner, however the overall level of engagement and impact was low.

· Reflecting on this and the experiences of 2022 thus far, the awards will be replaced with an innovative arts-based approach this year to engage the community in conversations and ideas related to sustainability, resilience, and climate change.

· Climate Conversations is a new biennial collaborative art project encouraging artists to explore, with the community, how we can adapt, reorganise, and evolve as a community in the face of climate change.

· Climate Conversations is a collaboration between the sustainability and cultural teams at council.

Sustainability E-newsletter

· The sustainability and resource recovery teams produce a sustainability e-newsletter that is sent out to subscribers on a quarterly basis.

· The newsletter will feature an “In Focus” section in place of the sustainability awards that will share information about local organisations and people doing great projects on a more regular basis, rather than once every two years. An invitation to submit stories is included in the newsletter, and staff encourage individuals and groups to email sustainability@byron.nsw.gov.au to submit stories.

· To subscribe to the newsletter, head to the Newsletters webpage on Council’s website.

Climate Change Adaptation Plan

· Staff will present a report focusing on adaptation updates at the next committee meeting.

Key Utilities Project Updates

Bioenergy Facility

The Bioenergy Facility renewable energy project has progressed to the next stage. The Northern Rivers Regional Planning Panel has approved the development application for the facility to be built on operational land at the Byron Bay sewage treatment plant.

The project will be reviewed by the elected Council in late 2022, with grant funding options for the $23.8 million project currently being explored.

For more background information on the Bioenergy facility, head to Council’s webpage - Council website - Bioenergy.

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.1: Work towards Council's zero-emissions target	3.2.1.1	Implement the Net Zero Emissions Action Plan for Council Operations 2025
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.1: Work towards Council's zero-emissions target	3.2.1.2	Prepare Annual Emissions Inventory to determine progress towards 2025 Net Zero Emission Target.
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.1: Work towards Council's zero-emissions target	3.2.1.4	Investigate Council's methane gas flare and Australian carbon credit unit generation in line with net zero emissions target
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.1: Work towards Council's zero-emissions target	3.2.1.6	Monitor Solar Performance at STP and provide annual report
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.1: Work towards Council's zero-emissions target	3.2.1.7	Finalise and commence implementation of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.1: Work towards Council's zero-emissions target	3.2.1.8	Report annually on sustainability partnerships, such as Cities Power Partnership.
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.1: Work towards Council's zero-emissions target	3.2.1.10	Investigate a carbon offset policy and strategy for Council, in accordance with Climate Active certification.
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.1: Work towards Council's zero-emissions target	3.2.1.11	Investigate energy efficiency upgrade of Mullumbimby Administration Building (action A4 in Net Zero Emissions Action Plan)
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.1: Work towards Council's zero-emissions target	3.2.1.12	Monitor Council's solar assets.
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.1: Work towards Council's zero-emissions target	3.2.1.13	Develop an energy usage benchmarking system for waste water assets to identify potential energy efficiency upgrades (Action C4 Net Zero Action Plan)
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.2: Support community environmental and sustainability projects	3.2.2.1	Provide coastal, environmental and sustainability information and encourage and support community activities and groups
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.2: Support community environmental and sustainability projects	3.2.2.2	Participate in regional coastal, sustainability and environmental working groups and initiatives.

Recent Resolutions

· 17-086

· 18-680

· 19-634

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

Applicable Council Strategies and Plans:

· Net Zero Emissions Strategy for Council Operations 2025

· Net Zero Emissions Action Plan for Council Operations 2025

· Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Financial Considerations

The annual membership for Climate Emergency Australia would be drawn from the sustainability programs budget, GL 2605.63.

Consultation and Engagement

· Sustainability Team

· Relevant internal staff

· Executive Team

· Zero Emissions Byron

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 3.2

Report No. 3.2 Introduction and Update from Zero Emissions Byron

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Julia Adams, Sustainability Team Leader

File No: I2022/509

Summary:

This report has been jointly prepared by council staff and Zero Emissions Byron in relation to item 5 from Resolution 22-168 – “A report on the role and relationship between Zero Emissions Byron and Council in relation to emissions reporting to be presented to the Climate Change and Resource Recovery Committee in June.”

Resolved that Council notes:

1. The annual emissions inventory and Council’s progress toward meeting the net zero emissions 2025 target (Attachment 1 - E2022/5746).

2. The progress update on the Net Zero Emissions Action Plan for Council Operations 2025.

3. The successful achievement of Resolution 17-086 to achieve 100% renewable energy, five years ahead of schedule.

4. An internal Councillor and staff workshop will be organised for the May Strategic Planning Workshop on carbon offsetting for Council’s operational net zero emissions target.

5. A report on the role and relationship between Zero Emissions Byron and Council in relation to emissions reporting to be presented to the Climate Change and Resource Recovery Committee in June.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee notes the update report from Zero Emissions Byron.

Report

Purpose of Zero Emissions Byron

To accelerate Byron Shire’s transition to net zero emissions by continuously engaging our local community to increase their uptake of emission reduction activities. To champion, educate and inspire action aimed toward zero emissions locally.

History and background

Zero Emission Byron (ZEB) was initiated in March 2015, at a public meeting with the CEO of Melbourne Think Tank, Beyond Zero Emissions, and the Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson, and community members. ZEB was developed as a collaboration between the Byron Shire Community, the Byron Shire Council, Beyond Zero Emissions and the Centre for Social Change

In October 2016, ZEB was registered as a Public Company Limited by Guarantee. Each year, ZEB sends a statistical return to the Register of Environmental Organisations. A Registered Charity, it also has deductible gift recipient (DGR) status.

The first meeting was jointly initiated by the Mayor Simon Richardson and Beyond Zero Emission in and he sat on the inaugural board. Then for the first two years, through incubation with Council, the focus was on developing the internal structure and capacity; relationships with key stakeholders; the community emissions inventory for the Byron Shire region; the regional strategy for emissions mitigation; and initial projects.

In 2019, ZEB became an independent organisation that sits separately to Council as an independent and mature organisation, and other local not-for-profit and commercial organisation who advocate for environmental and renewable energy solutions to our local ‘low carbon’ future. To use an analogy, ZEB is like our Reserve Bank, sitting above but separately to everyone, not having projects of their own but overseeing and providing guidance to others.

The group & wider network

ZEB consists of a volunteer board of six members who oversee governance, facilitate projects and head up five working groups. We employ two part time project workers for one day a week each. Other volunteers participate in working groups and assist with events.

ZEB’s main areas of activity are:

· Emissions tracking – ZEB has commissioned a baseline report on community emissions in the Byron Shire and two updates. ZEB is responsible for both keeping track of and encouraging the reduction of our community’s emissions, through the activities below:

o RePlant Byron Alliance – ZEB has formed an Alliance to promote appropriate plantings of native trees for carbon sequestration, promote the uptake of appropriate burning regimes, developed formulas for calculating the approximate carbon benefits of plantings, produced educational information, guides, videos and workshops. We have undertaken extensive plantings including a community forest project. Also, the biodiversity team at Council is using the Good Fire film to initiate more appropriate burning in the Shire. To view the Good Fire film, visit the website – https://zerobyron.org/co2-drawdown-stories/

o Buildings – we have produced educational flyers and video, energy saving information, and regularly promote the uptake of solar and battery tech for households and business. After the flooding we have been providing expert information on rebuilding with more flood resilience.

o Electric vehicles – we have produced a series of 8 webinars with experts on the latest in EVs, produced Q & A material and regular updates. We have undertaken a comprehensive survey on needs for EV uptake in the local Northern Rivers region, shared with local Councils. We have held an EV Expo and plan another to be held at Bangalow Showgrounds on Sunday 11 September 2022, already attracting sponsors, including Council, and stall-holder interest.

o Community engagement – We maintain an extensive website with regular blog posts, local low carbon living directory, champion local low carbon living stories, maintain three Facebook pages and groups, Instagram, regular e-news, place topical articles in the media and on radio interviews. We also produce information flyers/posters such as ‘12 Actions You Can Take on Climate Change’. We hold stalls at community events and in the street. We also regularly promote other groups’ activities and events that align with our goal of carbon pollution reduction or carbon drawdown.

ZEB also participates in regional bodies, including the Sustain Northern Rivers Energy Working Group and Council’s Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee, and undertake cooperative activities with Council. Other groups around Australia are using our educational material and seek our advice on matters of mutual interest.

Upcoming Projects

· EV Expo at Bangalow Showgrounds on 11 September 2022

· Film night at Byron Community Centre 14 June 2022 on Regenerating Australia and showing some of our short films on Good Fire, & Native Plantings Sequester Carbon.

· Soil Carbon workshop at The Farm 7 June 2022

· Completion of Sustainable Buildings video

· Expansion of our Local Low Carbon Living Directory

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.1: Work towards Council's zero-emissions target	3.2.1.8	Report annually on sustainability partnerships, such as Cities Power Partnership.
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.2: Support community environmental and sustainability projects	3.2.2.1	Provide coastal, environmental and sustainability information and encourage and support community activities and groups
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.2: Support community environmental and sustainability projects	3.2.2.2	Participate in regional coastal, sustainability and environmental working groups and initiatives.
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.2: Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.2: Support community environmental and sustainability projects	3.2.2.9	Support community's emissions reduction efforts.

Recent Resolutions

· Resolution 17-086 – To achieve 100% net zero emissions by 2025 in collaboration with Zero Emissions Byron (ZEB).

· 22-168

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

Applicable Council Strategies and Plans:

· Net Zero Emissions Strategy for Council Operations 2025

· Net Zero Emissions Action Plan for Council Operations 2025

· Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Financial Considerations

This is a project update report only.

Consultation and Engagement

Zero Emissions Byron board members – phone and email correspondence.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Reports of Committees - Infrastructure Services 3.1

Reports of Committees - Infrastructure Services

Report No. 3.1 Introduction to Resource Recovery - Projects and Programs

Directorate: Infrastructure Services

Report Author: Danielle Hanigan, Manager Resource Recovery

File No: I2022/642

Summary:

This report provides and introduction and overview of the key operations, projects, programs and key challenges within Council’s Resource Recovery Department. The report also gives a brief overview of the flood recovery and clean-up operations that have taken place in the first part of 2022.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee notes the report.

Report

The Resource Recovery Department is taking on the challenge of reducing waste and the impact it has on our environment and our community. To achieve this, we need to create a culture of avoidance, where reuse replaces single use and throwaway consumerism. This involves changing thinking and behaviour, moving our organisation and community to a circular economy model where waste is seen as a resource.

Key areas of responsibility

Operational

Waste and Resource Recovery Collection

· Kerbside domestic waste, recycling and organics bin collection in urban and rural areas

· Commercial bin collections.

· Customer service for all bin repairs, new services and general enquiries

· Manage disposal / processing Contracts for recycling, organics and residual waste

· Public place waste and recycling bins and collections, cigarette butt recycling receptacles and dog poo bag dispensers

· Community Recycling Stations (for problem waste such as batteries, light globes, mobile phones, smoke alarms, x-rays and printer cartridges)

Byron Resource Recovery Centre (BRRC)

· Operation and environmental management of the Centre which operates under two Environmental Protection Licences. EPL 6057 (Landfill) and EPL 13127 (Resource Recovery)

· The Centre operates primarily as a transfer station, with waste and materials brought into the centre, sorted and transferred to various locations for processing or landfilling. All residual waste is taken to the Ti-Tree Bioenergy Facility at Willowbank (SE QLD) whereby renewable energy is generated from the methane produced within the landfill cell. This averages 20,000 tonnes per year.

The BRRC also houses: -

· Second hand Shop,

· Composting facility,

· Community Recycling Centre for collection of problem wastes

· Polystyrene processing

Strategic

Towards Zero: Byron Shire’s Integrated Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy 2019-2029 focusses on 4 key objectives: -

1. Empower the community to increase avoidance, reuse and recycling activities;

2. Maintain and enhance solutions to recover / treat / dispose of residual waste;

3. Work with the business and tourism sector to reduce waste to landfill; and

4. Support and lobby for NSW and Federal Government action to help reduce overall waste generation and disposal.

Community Engagement and Education

Through designed campaigns and programs, community education and engagement focuses on resource recovery, avoidance, reuse, recycling, circular economy, litter and illegal dumping. A key element of education programs is to support and promote community based sustainability and circular economy initiatives through collaboration with community organisations and businesses.

Programs

· Litter and Illegal Dumping Programs delivering the Illegal Dumping Litter Education and Enforcement Plan

· Circular Cafes – in partnership with North/East Waste

· Worn Up – uniform textiles recycling

· Byron Loves BYO

· Zero Waste Events

· School Education Programs – through North/East Waste

· Butt Free Byron Shire

· Recycle Right – kerbside bin education program

· Bruns - Bring It Back (reusables in place of single use takeaway containers)

· Lift the Lid – kerbside contamination reduction

· Scrap together - household organics education campaign ( commencing June 2022)

· Source to Sea (EPA funded pilot to address litter in drains)

Major Projects

· Regional Waste Investment Review Project - working with 8 neighbouring Councils on regional solutions for recycling and residual waste

· Southern Landfill Closure and Rehabilitation Project

· Leachate Storage System Upgrade Project

· BRRC Stormwater Management Plan Implementation

· Second Life for Second Hand Shop – improvements and enhancements aimed at engaging the broader community and encouraging circular economy initiatives

Key Challenges

· Increased cost of recycling, organics and waste processing – has increased significantly over the past 5 years with the National Sword Policy driving up recycling costs, as well as increasing landfill levy and fuel costs which have increased costs to process waste materials

· Legacy issues relating to an aged, unlined landfill and aging leachate storage system – this is being addressed via the landfill closure, stormwater management and leachate storage replacement projects.

· Increased development and tourism significantly impacts the Resource Recovery Department – with many developments within the Byron CBD having outgrown their premises and the designated waste collection spaces, as well as an influx of new developments requiring assessment. A significant push to have developers undertake means to reduce their waste generation, and service waste within their property is a focus of the Team.

· The impact of Covid-19 has seen an increase in “takeaway culture” which has put increased strain on our public place bin collection system, and general litter. Programs such as Bruns Bring it Back and Byron loves BYO aim to increase reuse and reduce the amount of single use items being used by business and community, and therefore reduce waste generation

· Lack of robust legislation to guide manufacturing to ensure waste is designed out of products and packaging, and that the life of products is extended, with reuse and repair enabled.

Flood Recovery

Following the flood event of 28 February 2022, the Resource Recovery Team was tasked with the clean up, removal and disposal of flood waste from the kerbside as quickly and efficiently as possible. The clean up commenced 30 February – 2 days after the flooding occurred. This continued following the subsequent event in late March. Resource Recovery staff worked on the ground advising residents of clean up actions in the absence of phone or internet communications in the initial days of the clean up.

As of end of April 2022, over 4,000 tonnes of incoming disaster waste was received at the BRRC. This was in addition to waste collected at the kerb and taken directly to the regional waste transfer sites that were established after the initial 2 weeks of the clean up at Alstonville and Coraki which is estimated at 2,000 tonnes.

The team worked with NSW Public Works Advisory ( PWA) to set up set up skip bin hubs in central locations for the drop off of flood waste to ease the burden on the BRRC and increase accessibility and safety for residents. Skip bins were also placed in rural locations to assist residents in specific areas. To date it is estimated an additional 5,000 tonnes of waste has been collected via skips which has been transported directly to South East Queensland.

Diversion

Of the 4,000 tonnes of flood waste that entered the BRRC, 250 tonnes of scrap metal was diverted including fridges and other whitegoods.

White goods, E-waste and hazardous wastes at skip bin hubs were collected separately for recovery and recycling.

13 tonnes of Problem Waste (CRC- Community recycling program) was collected and transported off site (BRRC) for recycling, this includes oils, paints, hazardous chemicals.

Worked with Repair Café to recover some furniture and whitegoods for repair.

Community engagement

Worked with community groups and organisations to assist with waste management and disposal options.

Fees for flood waste disposal at the BRRC have been waived for this period and this will continue upon application for those with genuine flood waste.

Bin banks have been established in rural areas to allow for domestic waste servicing for those with limited or no access. These are temporary measures and are constantly reviewed as roads are repaired and access restored for collection vehicles.

Communications on the clean up schedule, changes in various stages of the clean up and collection access have been ongoing through Councils Flood Updates and various platforms.

A claim for reimbursement is underway through Public Works Advisory

Challenges

There have been some challenges in working with multiple State Government agencies in the clean up and recovery. Delays in receiving clear and consistent direction in relation to the clean up of demolition waste, asbestos, hazardous waste and waste in waterways has been particularly problematic. Better future planning is needed to be able to streamline these processes in the future.

Future considerations: resilience and rebuilding

In order to reduce damage to homes/buildings, recover more resources, reduce waste to landfill and to have second hand/repaired items accessible to flood affected residents we need to future proof processes pre and post flood.

This includes but is not limited to:-

· building with flood resilient materials to reduce demolition waste – a lot of gyprock and flooring

· smart design of electrical outlets and appliances to save appliances

· processes that work with local groups to salvage and repair household items

· places for storage of items for residents so they are not left on the street

· education around separation on kerbside

· contractors hired for specific waste/resource streams

· strategic demolition to reuse building materials

Further plans to mitigate these issues are underway and will be the subject of reports to subsequent meetings of the Climate Change and Resource Recovery Committee.

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
Community Objective 1: We have infrastructure, transport and services which meet our expectations	1.4: Provide a regular and acceptable waste and recycling service	1.4.1: Implement Integrated Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy	1.4.1.1	Implement 2021/22 action plan activities identified in the Waste Management Strategy
Community Objective 1: We have infrastructure, transport and services which meet our expectations	1.4: Provide a regular and acceptable waste and recycling service	1.4.2: Provide waste and resource recovery services	1.4.2.1	Implement Waste and Resource Recovery Collection Contract Management Plan
Community Objective 1: We have infrastructure, transport and services which meet our expectations	1.4: Provide a regular and acceptable waste and recycling service	1.4.3: Participate in regional waste management programs and initiatives	1.4.3.1	Maintain membership and participation in the North East Waste regional waste management group
Community Objective 1: We have infrastructure, transport and services which meet our expectations	1.4: Provide a regular and acceptable waste and recycling service	1.4.3: Participate in regional waste management programs and initiatives	1.4.3.2	Support the progression of a regional; alternative waste treatment facility in alignment of the adopted strategy and relevant resolutions
Community Objective 1: We have infrastructure, transport and services which meet our expectations	1.4: Provide a regular and acceptable waste and recycling service	1.4.4: Ensure facilities and services meet statutory requirements	1.4.4.1	Maintain compliance with NSW Environmental Protection Licences for the Byron Resource Recovery Centre and Myocum Landfill
Community Objective 1: We have infrastructure, transport and services which meet our expectations	1.4: Provide a regular and acceptable waste and recycling service	1.4.4: Ensure facilities and services meet statutory requirements	1.4.4.3	Maintain compliance with the Federal Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund contract conditions for the Myocum Landfill Gas Carbon Farming Initiative Project
Community Objective 1: We have infrastructure, transport and services which meet our expectations	1.4: Provide a regular and acceptable waste and recycling service	1.4.4: Ensure facilities and services meet statutory requirements	1.4.4.4	Delivery of stage 1 of the Capping Plan

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

Legislative responsibilities

Legislation

Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014 - NSW Legislation

Policies

Waste Disposal Fees for Not-for-Profit Groups Policy - Byron Shire Council (nsw.gov.au)

Waste Disposal after a Natural Disaster/Significant Storm Event Policy - Byron Shire Council (nsw.gov.au)

Strategies and plans

Towards Zero Integrated Waste Strategy 2019 to 2029 - Byron Shire Council (nsw.gov.au)

NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041

Financial Considerations

Budget for waste related activities is funded through the Domestic and Non-Domestic Waste Reserve as well as Grant programs. It is not funded through the general Fund.

Consultation and Engagement

Resource Recovery Team

Executive Team

Venue	Conference Room, Station Street, Mullumbimby
Date	Thursday, 16 June 2022
Time	11.30am