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)

Committee members are reminded that they should declare and manage all conflicts of interest in respect of any matter on this Agenda, in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

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.

OATH AND AFFIRMATION FOR COUNCILLORS

Councillors are reminded of the oath of office or affirmation of office made at or before their first meeting of the council in accordance with Clause 233A of the Local Government Act 1993. This includes undertaking the duties of the office of councillor in the best interests of the people of Byron Shire and the Byron Shire Council and faithfully and impartially carrying out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested under the Act or any other Act to the best of one’s ability and judgment.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports – infrastructure services 4.1

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report No. 4.1 Resource Recovery Update

Directorate: Infrastructure Services

Report Author: Sarah Child, Resource Recovery Projects & Education Officer

File No: I2024/128

Summary:

This report provides an update on projects, programs and operational activities being undertaken within the Resource Recovery Department in accordance with the Towards Zero Integrated Waste Strategy 2019 to 2029. The Report includes updates on the Single-Use Packaging and Materials Policy, Litter and Illegal Dumping Prevention Strategy, Education and engagement activities, capital projects, new recycling programs introduced at the Resource Recovery Centre and regional projects.

RECOMMENDATION:

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

Report

Projects and Programs

Single-use Packaging and Materials Policy

The Single-use Packaging and Materials Policy was adopted by Council on December 14. The Resource Recovery team is now developing an action plan that will involve education, infrastructure audits, and engagement with events.

The Resource Recovery team has made a submission on the NSW government NSW Plastics: Next steps paper. The submission addressed each proposed action, urging the government to consider more ambitious targets that invest in reuse and banning balloons in public outdoor spaces altogether. Council’s Single-use Packaging and Materials Policy was included in the submission.

Changes to Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO)

Changes to what can go in the green, (FOGO) bin were officially announced over December and January, with ads in The Echo, a media release, web page and social media posts. General messaging on what can go in each of the bins is ongoing.

General education
Education material for waste disposal and services has been updated and is available for the community. The A-Z webpage has been updated, a fold out brochure has been developed to encompass all of the services provided by the resource recovery team and an A-Z guide on most items to advice which bin they should go into. New bin stickers for households have been also printed and were designed in the same style as the public place bin signage. These resources are available at the resource recovery centre, council reception and through requests, as well as on Councils website. The brochures and stickers will also be distributed to any new service and through the Lift the Lid visual bin inspection program.

Workshops and other updates
The Re-Market has hosted 2 workshops so far this calendar year, one bike repair and one for textile mending. This built on the success of similar workshops ran last October. Upskilling the staff and the community will be a focus for 2024 and we are actively sourcing additional skilled persons to run workshops that promote reuse and repair with the aim of a regular monthly workshop.

Litter and Illegal Dumping Prevention Strategy

Development of the Litter and Illegal Dumping Prevention Strategy is well underway, with a draft due to be reported to Councils executive team in February, prior to Council for public exhibition. Funded by the NSW EPA, the strategy and associated roadmap will allow Council to apply for the EPA’s Round 3 Litter Prevention Funding of up to $500,000 which will minimise impact to Councils budget and move expenditure away from reactive clean up to prevention measures.

Source to Sea
Source to Sea is half way through the 12 month monitoring with 3 drain buddy audits completed. The latest audit revealed a similar trend as the previous 2, that plastic is the most common item and most litter is found in locations near a food business. 414 single-use takeaway items have been found so far. The EPA funded project has seen 24 “drain buddies” trialled within the stormwater network in central Byron area and has demonstrated their ability to capture litter, sediment and organic debris – preventing it from entering our waterways or impacting infrastructure. The trial will inform as to where the litter is coming from so that it can be reduced at the source, as well as the effectiveness of such devices so they can be incorporated into future drainage infrastructure upgrades.

Operational Updates

New Resource Recovery Initiatives

This financial year Council has introduced a number of new resource recovery and recycling initiatives at the Byron Resource Recovery Centre, offering a financial incentive for customers to sort their waste materials, enabling increased resource recovery.

Construction and demolition materials

This includes the following materials and quantities which have been recovered this financial year to date:

· Concrete: 272 tonnes

· Plasterboard:11.5 tonnes

· Mattresses: 298 mattresses

· Clean timber is also promoted – however much of this is taken directly to the Re-Market (tip shop) for resale.

Concrete separation commenced with a trial in October 2022 to determine feasibility, costs and customer willingness to keep their concrete separated from other waste at a lower fee ($250 per tonne vs $350 per tonne.). This includes bricks and roofing tiles, and is collected in large skips that are taken to a facility in Alstonville to be crushed into aggregate and sold for reuse.

Plasterboard recovery is currently being funded through a construction and demotion materials project being ran by North East Waste, funded by NSW EPA. This allows Council to understand the logistics and costs associated with recovering this material.

Mattresses are collected in cages (approx. 75 mattresses per cage) and, once full are picked up and taken to a processing facility in Cootamundra where they are stripped for recycling.

Electrical goods: test and tag – we can now check electrical items brought into the Re-Market and ensure they are safe, enabling electrical goods to be sold through the shop which previously was not the case. To date four staff have undergone the “test and tag” training to enable this to occur.

Vapes: In December 2023 we commenced a trial to capture, divert and recycle vapes (e-cigarettes) via the e-waste service provider.

Single- use and reusable vapes can be hazardous if disposed of in general waste due to embedded Li-ion batteries, these batteries have an increased risk of fire if damaged or broken. Clean up Australia has also reported an increase in the number of vapes littered in beaches, streets and parks.

Due to this fire risk the facility has been supplied with a specialised fire proof wheelie bin and small fireproof bags. The vape disposal bin is set up at the public drop off area of the Resource Recovery Centre with an estimated 20kg vapes recovered through January.

Vapes come into the facility as part of the CRC program and are free to dispose of. There will be a minimal cost to council for this service due to the difficulty associated with recycling. It is likely that this will be in interim solution until state government funded programs commence and therefore minimal promotion is being undertaken. We are working directly with key businesses that require vape disposal (licenced venues) as well as providing this service to those who bring vapes to the facility looking for a solution.

Fees and Charges – review for 2024-25

Fees have been reviewed in light of increased costs, waste levy and feedback from the community.

Major changes will include:

Reduction of minimum charge for mixed recycling, cardboard and polystyrene from $10 to $5, t better cater for very small loads.

Mattress price – mattresses under double size will be change at the tonnage rate for general waste ( less than the $35 each price currently)

Green waste disposal will increase due to increased costs in grinding and processing the material – this will be reflect in the per tonne rate and minimum charge. Mulch sale price will remain as is.

General waste will increase by $10 per tonne due to the increase in waste levy by this amount.

Capital projects – Byron Resource Recovery Centre

Stormwater Infrastructure Upgrade - package 1: Detailed designs have been received from consultants. Tender process and contractor engagement expected over the coming months, with the construction phase of the project to commence within this financial year. These works will ensure that clean stormwater is adequately managed across the site and diverted away from the leachate collection system, in accordance with Environmental Protection Licences.

Leachate System Upgrade: Final detailed design drawings due from consultant by end of February 2024 with expanded project scope to include automated control and monitoring system. Tender and construction stage to follow after Stormwater Package 1 works are complete.

Landfill Capping and Rehabilitation: Final detailed design being finalised incorporating variations to allow scrap metal receival area. Project will follow the stormwater and leachate projects given operational constraints and resourcing of major projects team.

Kerbside collection

Increased kerbside servicing occurred for 2 week period from Christmas day whereby all 3 bins (urban areas) and 2 bins (rural areas) were collected each week to minimise overflowing bis and increased contamination to the recycling and organics during this period.

Additional public place bins were put in place in Apex Park Byron Bay and at Banner Park, The Terrace Park and Torakina at Brunswick Heads. Bins in Byron central area and Brunswick heads were also collected twice daily – morning and afternoon to cater for the increased volume of people in these areas during this period.

These services come at a considerable cost, and we will be investigating ways to penalise businesses who generate significant public bin waste ( ie create a lot of takeaway packaging) in comparison to others.

Regional Resource Recovery Projects

Circular C&D Project : Council is participating in North East Wastes EPA grant funded Circular C&D waste pilot – this includes source separation of plasterboard and further improvements to the Re-Market to allow for increased storage of construction materials. NEW has audited Ballina facility to determine main construction and demolition waste streams, using this information to inform other Councils and working through regional solutions for these materials.

Alternate Waste Treatment Solutions – Richmond Valley Council released a media release 3 November to reiterate their earlier messaging in response to the spread of misinformation. Key messages are:

· Council had investigated a range of options for dealing with residual waste because the current practice of landfilling waste and/or transporting it to Queensland was unsustainable

· as part of this process, modern energy-from-waste facilities were investigated as a possible solution, however, Richmond Valley Council resolved at its November 2022 meeting to pause any active investigation of energy-from-waste facilities and to focus on other waste streams such as food organics and recycling.

· Council would monitor any developments elsewhere in NSW, such as the Parkes Special Activation Precinct where a procurement process was underway for an energy-from-waste facility.

· Have been transparent on this issue throughout and will continue to provide regular updates to our community through Council reports and other communications.

· Need to be clear on the fact there is currently no proposal for an energy-from-waste facility in the Richmond Valley.

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy		DP Action		Code		OP Activity
3: Nurtured Environment		3.5: Minimise waste and encourage recycling and resource recovery practices		3.5.1: Waste management and resource recovery strategy - Implement Integrated Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy - Towards Zero		3.5.1.1		Maintain membership and participation in the North East Waste regional waste management group
3: Nurtured Environment		3.5: Minimise waste and encourage recycling and resource recovery practices		3.5.1: Waste management and resource recovery strategy - Implement Integrated Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy - Towards Zero		3.5.1.3		Improve management of Council generated waste through development and implementation of a policy that supports circular economy and waste hierarchy principles by eliminating single use packaging and materials
3: Nurtured Environment		3.5: Minimise waste and encourage recycling and resource recovery practices		3.5.1: Waste management and resource recovery strategy - Implement Integrated Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy - Towards Zero		3.5.1.4		Develop updated Illegal Dumping and Litter Education and Enforcement Plan (IDLEEP) for 2024 - 2029 in accordance with new NSW EPA litter and illegal dumping strategies and targets
3: Nurtured Environment		3.5: Minimise waste and encourage recycling and resource recovery practices		3.5.2: Recycling - Work with business and tourism sector to reduce waste to landfill		3.5.2.2		Expand reusable networks in the takeaway food sector and decrease single use, disposable packaging
3: Nurtured Environment		3.5: Minimise waste and encourage recycling and resource recovery practices		3.5.3: Waste collection and landfill - Maintain and enhance solutions to recover / treat / dispose of residual waste		3.5.3.1		Maintain and manage Waste and Resource Recovery Collection, processing and disposal contracts
3: Nurtured Environment		3.5: Minimise waste and encourage recycling and resource recovery practices		3.5.3: Waste collection and landfill - Maintain and enhance solutions to recover / treat / dispose of residual waste		3.5.3.2		Support the progression of a regional waste management and circular economy initiatives in alignment with the adopted strategy and relevant resolutions
3: Nurtured Environment		3.5: Minimise waste and encourage recycling and resource recovery practices		3.5.4: Education - Empower the community to increase avoidance, reuse, and recycling activities		3.5.4.3		Develop and support community-based sustainability and circular economy initiatives that increase reuse, repair and upskilling
3: Nurtured Environment		3.5: Minimise waste and encourage recycling and resource recovery practices		3.5.4: Education - Empower the community to increase avoidance, reuse, and recycling activities		3.5.4.4		Improve and enhance the ReMarket (Tip Shop) to support the expansion of local reuse and repair economy
3: Nurtured Environment		3.5: Minimise waste and encourage recycling and resource recovery practices		3.5.4: Education - Empower the community to increase avoidance, reuse, and recycling activities		3.5.4.5		Provide support, information and resources to community stakeholders to assist with salvage, repair and appropriate disposal during disaster clean-up activities
3: Nurtured Environment		3.5: Minimise waste and encourage recycling and resource recovery practices		3.5.4: Education - Empower the community to increase avoidance, reuse, and recycling activities		3.5.4.6		Reduce contamination in kerbside organics and recycling through visual contamination audits, education campaigns, in-vehicle monitoring, and composition audits every three years
3: Nurtured Environment		3.5: Minimise waste and encourage recycling and resource recovery practices		3.5.5: Facilities and services - Provide resource recovery facilities and services that meet statutory requirements		3.5.5.3		Capping, closure and rehabilitation of Myocum Landfill Project - planning and detailed design phases
3: Nurtured Environment		3.5: Minimise waste and encourage recycling and resource recovery practices		3.5.5: Facilities and services - Provide resource recovery facilities and services that meet statutory requirements		3.5.5.4		Implement Stormwater Management Plan (Byron Resource Recovery Centre) Project
3: Nurtured Environment		3.5: Minimise waste and encourage recycling and resource recovery practices		3.5.5: Facilities and services - Provide resource recovery facilities and services that meet statutory requirements		3.5.5.6		Leachate System Upgrade (Byron Resource Recovery Centre) Project planning and detailed design phases

Recent Resolutions

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 23-393

Resolved that Council:

1. Notes the Minutes of the Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee Meeting held on 29 June 2023;

2. Adopts the Committee’s advice on Report 4.2 “Regional Waste Strategy and Waste to Energy” of that June meeting, namely the following Parts 3 to 6;

3. Opposes any incineration or waste treatment that results in worse environmental outcomes than current operations;

4. Supports the approach in the “NSW Energy from Waste Policy Statement 2022”, that incineration facilities for the destruction of waste not be permitted;

5. Supports maintaining an open, investigative approach to long term waste management including alternative waste treatment, ensuring options are assessed transparently (to ensure the best outcome for the environment and our communities);

6. Continues to update the Committee (as part of the Resource Recovery Update to each Committee meeting) on regional waste management initiatives and any progress or changes in “energy from waste” status locally or at state level; and

7. Notes that Council has improved the energy efficiency of our wastewater network and thereby produced verifiable annual savings of over 1GWh or $250,000 per year and that these projects included:

i) the installation of solar PV farms at three Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) with a combined capacity of 303kW

ii) upgrading to energy efficient blowers at Byron STP,

iii) energy efficiency upgrades to the sewer pump station (SPS) network, and

iv) the creation of the position of Sustainability Officer Utilities (SOU).

(Dey/Swivel)

The motion was put to the vote and carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 23-501

Resolved that:

1. The Draft Single-use Packaging and Materials Policy (Attachment 1 E2023/32923) be placed on public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days.

2. a) Should there be no submissions, the Draft Single-use Packaging and Materials Policy is endorsed from the date after the close of the exhibition period and;

b) Should submissions be received, the Draft Single-use Packaging and Materials Policy be reported back to Council noting the submissions and any amendments made as a result of the feedback received.

a) Council writes to the NSW government to lobby that they expand the list of banned single-use plastics under the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021 in a timely manner.

b) Council distributes the adopted Policy to other Councils within the region for their information.

c) Council promotes the most up to date information as to which items go in which bin, through various channels including Council’s website. (Ndiaye/Dey)

The motion was put to the vote and carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 23-667

Resolved that Council:

1. Notes the submissions received during the public exhibition period as outlined in Attachment 1 (E2023/124753)

2. Adopts the Single-use Packaging and Materials Policy 2023 with amendment as per Attachment 2 (E2023/124762)

3. Includes Key Performance Indicators for each of the policy objectives to be included in the Action Plan. (Hunter/Coorey)

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041

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

Policy-Single-use-Packaging-and-Materials-Policy-2023-current_policies (2).pdf

Financial Considerations

Projects are Grant funded or funded through the Waste Reserve.

Consultation and Engagement

Resource Recovery Team

Litter and Illegal Dumping Internal Working Group (Strategy development)

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.2

Report No. 4.2 Sustainability Team Project Updates

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Shane Melotte, Sustainability Team Leader

Hayley Briggs, Sustainability Officer

Rachel Thatcher, Sustainability Officer

File No: I2024/114

Summary:

This report provides updates on several Sustainability Team Projects.

RECOMMENDATION:

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

Report

This report will provide updates on the following Sustainability Team Projects:

1. Climate Change Adaptation Plan, Planning Provisions and Biodiversity Protection.

2. FY23 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.

3. Outcomes of the Climate Conversations Exhibitions held at Lone Goat Gallery July/August 2023.

4. Urban Cooling/Heat Resilience Plan Scoping.

5. Grant applications (X 2) currently under development.

1. Climate Change Adaptation Plan, Planning Provisions and Biodiversity Protection

An action item arising from the September 2023 CCRRAC meeting was to provide an update on the Adopted Climate Change Adaptation Plan with a particular focus on planning provisions. We understand the intent was to understand progress with implementation of changes to the planning provision aimed at supporting biodiversity adaptation to climate change.

The Climate Change Adaptation Plan was adopted by Council in August 2021. The plan includes 100 Adaptation Actions addressing the four climate scenarios identified as the most significant risks to Byron Shire:

· flooding due to extreme rainfall,

· coastal storm surges due to severe storms and sea level rise,

· extreme heat, and

· increased fire weather.

Responsibility for implementation of the actions set out in the plan rests with the relevant teams and department across the organization. A review on implementation progress of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan is currently underway and the findings will be reported to Council by 30 June 2024.

With respect to biodiversity conservation, the Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP) aims to support the implementation of the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2020-2030 (BCS). The BCS details specific actions needed to mitigate the effects of climate change and support biodiversity conservation in Byron Shire. Some of these actions that were included in the CCAP are:

· Identify and map wildlife corridors, refugia and Priority Restoration Areas.

· Ensure wildlife corridors, and Priority Restoration Areas are informed by current science on climate change impacts including plant communities and species at most risk.

· Update planning controls and council policy to reflect wildlife corridor, refugia and Priority Restoration Areas mapping.

· Update planting lists to identify species likely to be adaptable to climate change.

· Identify open forest ecosystems requiring restoration through the reintroduction of fire.

Since the adoption of the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and the Climate Change Adaptation Plan, Council has updated its detailed mapping of wildlife corridors system and priority restoration areas across the Shire (adopted December 2023). The key Council planning instrument for ongoing protection of biodiversity and wildlife corridors is the Development Control Plan (DCP).

Council is currently reviewing and updating the DCP to further improve the outcomes and protections for biodiversity through the planning process. DCP 2014 Chapters B1 and B2 are currently being updated to reflect Council’s updated Wildlife Corridor Map and to improve the clarity and application of these chapters, through simplified provisions and a stronger focus on biodiversity being integral to the site analysis process and genuinely prioritised, without being an exclusive constraint. The updated DCP chapters will be on public exhibition mid 2024. This change will contribute better outcomes with respect to the protection of biodiversity and their resilience to the impacts of climate change.

2. FY23 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and update on meeting 2025 Net Zero Emissions Target

The FY23 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for Council operations is close to completion. The verification process has been undertaken by an accredited consultant which provides independence and ensures preparedness for future third party certifications and reporting. The inventory is expected to be reported to the 28 March 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting and tabled at the 16 May 2024 CCRRAC Meeting.

In electricity contract news, Council transitioned to a new Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with retailer Flow Power on 1 January 2024. This 10-year agreement ensures all of Council’s electricity continues to be sourced from renewable energy generators and provides flexibility to reduce Council’s total electricity consumption through projects such as the proposed Bioenergy project at the Byron Bay Sewage Treatment Plant, plus further renewable energy, energy storage and energy efficiency projects across Council’s assets.

At the 18 May 2023 CCRRAC Meeting, Sustainability staff gave an update on meeting the net zero emissions 2025 (Res 17-086) and Climate Active 2025/26 (Res 19-634) targets. That report established that Council will be unable to reasonably claim to achieve net zero emissions in 2025. This is because industry advice states that net zero emissions can only be achieved if we first reduce our emissions ‘as much as possible’, and then counterbalance residual emissions through the permanent removal and storage of carbon from the atmosphere. Council will not be able to reduce its emissions ‘as much as possible’ by 2025, therefore the target will not be reached.

Since then, staff have engaged as accredited consultant to provide advice on different target options and decarbonisation pathways, and the benefits and drawbacks of becoming Climate Active certified. Staff aim to present that advice to Council by 30 June 2024, and table the findings at the next available CCRRAC Meeting.

3. Climate Conversations Outcomes and Feedback

Council’s ambition to open up the conversation on climate adaptation with the community was realised through the highly successful Climate Conversations Initiative run in partnership with Lone Goat Gallery. The initiative involved an art exhibition at the Lone Goat Gallery and a number of associated workshops, speakers and experiences across the Shire. The theme for the inaugural Climate Conversations was ‘Adaptation’, to align with recent climate events that had impacted our region.

Staff developed a detailed artist brief and conducted a broad call for expressions of interest. Twenty-two applications were received and were assessed by a panel made up of professional artists and external arts professionals and council staff.

The successful commissioned artists were Samantha Moss, Jess Poulsen, and Shona Wilson, for their project titled ‘Mending and Tending: Art that works for nature’. The month-long project and exhibition opened at Lone Goat Gallery on 29 July 2023 and ran until 26August 2023 Opening night was held on Friday 28 July 2023 and attended by the Mayor, Councillors, Council staff, and community members.

The extensive program of free community events included:

· Launch event at Lone Goat Gallery on Friday 28 July 2023 from 5pm until 7pm.

· Exhibition at Lone Goat Gallery from Saturday 29 July until Saturday 26 August (4 weeks).

· Daily making space at the gallery for Community Members for the duration of the exhibition.

· Art Making Workshops at Torakina Nature Reserve on Sunday 30 July from 10am until 4pm.

· Moonlit Nature Walk and Sound Meditation at Torakina Nature Reserve on Wednesday 2 August from 5pm.

· Artist Talk and Workshop with Shona Wilson at Lone Goat Gallery on Saturday 5 August from 1pm.

· Artist Talk and Workshop with Samantha Moss at Lone Goat Gallery on Saturday 12 August from 1pm.

· Clay workshops for Byron Youth Service with Samantha Moss on Wednesday evenings.

· Art in the Club: Art that works for Nature Event: Artists in conversation with Melitta Firth, Mullumbimby Ex Services Club.

· Closing ceremony at Torakina Nature Reserve to return natural materials to site.

Over the course of the four weeks, these activities engaged more than 1,200 community members and generated new partnerships and connections at the gallery and onsite at Torakina Nature Reserve in Brunswick Heads. Some photos are provided below for reference.

Climate Conversations provided the community with a collaborative, interactive experience aligned with community values such as climate change adaptation and caring for nature. Audiences of all demographics were invited to participate in free workshops and talks, gaining skills and knowledge in environmental, sustainability, social, and cultural themes that they can put into practice at home and in their community.

These included practical nature conservation-based activities, tools, and resources, as well as learning about artistic expression as a means of storytelling, education, and connection to nature and culture. The project also fostered valuable and lasting partnerships with local environmental organisations such as Brunswick Valley Landcare and Byron Bird Buddies.

The initiative received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the wide range of community members, stakeholders and collaborators. There were also several environmental issues raised that informed various discussions over the course of the project, indicating that the project achieved its goal of initiating conversation around climate adaptation and environmental/sustainability topics. Following this success, it is proposed to replicate it biannually and changing the climate change lens each time.

4. Urban Cooling/Heat Resilience Plan Scoping

Council’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan includes an action to develop an Urban Cooling Strategy (Action 62). The Sustainability Team is currently undertaking scoping activities for the development and adoption this Strategy.

The scoping efforts have focused on risks and impacts to human health as well as to agriculture and biodiversity. The initial priority is to better understand the key data and analysis requirements to credibly assess the heat risks for the Shire and subsequently inform appropriate mitigation measures.

This preliminary scoping process has also included an initial review of current and emerging best practice in this area and preliminary stakeholder engagement. A member of our team attended the Adapt NSW Conference held in Sydney (December 2023) and the team has held several preliminary internal and external stakeholder meetings to understand current and future opportunities for engagement and action around heat risks. To date, the external meetings included but were not limited to Adapt NSW, UNSW Institute of Sustainable Futures, Western Sydney University (Prof Sebastian Pfautsch), Healthy North Coast, WSROC, Tweed Shire Council and City of Sydney. This engagement activities have provided highly valuable insights on Council and regional led heat resilience responses.

The two key methods for measuring local heat levels are remote sensing (satellite) data and ground measurement. At this stage the team is proceeding with the satellite sourced data and Council’s GIS team has successfully deciphered how to process this data in-house to produce heat maps for the Shire. The City of Sydney has also kindly agreed to support Council in replicating their methodology for determining a heat vulnerability index using heat data, ABS Statistical Area data and other relevant spatial datasets. This task may require external resourcing as its likely to be resource intensive and sits outside our GIS officers’ extensive core responsibilities.

The Team will continue meeting with key stakeholders in parallel with the ongoing data scoping activities including further meetings with Adapt NSW Resilience and Adaptation Team and an initial meeting the Living Lab Northern Rivers. We will also continue to evaluate the practicality and suitability of including strategies to respond to the significant heat risks for agriculture and biodiversity in the same plan. Through the scoping process we will determine if any further data procurement and specialist consulting inputs are required to develop the Strategy with the overarching aim of maximising in-house capacity building throughout the process. Further updates will be provided to the Committee as the project progresses.

5. Current Grant Applications Underway

The Sustainability Team is current working on two key grant funding applications.

NSW Government Electric Vehicle Destination Charger Grants

The NSW Government are investing $20 million to assist eligible regional NSW businesses and councils by co-funding the purchase and installation of EV chargers. This funding is available through the Drive electric NSW EV Destination Charging Grant.

The NSW Government will fund the following for up to four EV charging ports per site:

· 75% towards the cost of an eligible 7 kW and/or 22 kW electric vehicle charger(s)

· 75% towards the cost of installation (capped at $3,000 per charging port)   

· 75% towards the first year of an eligible annual EV charger software subscription.

Staff are exploring an application under this program.

Federal Government Community Energy Upgrades Fund Program

The Australian Government is partnering with local governments to deliver the $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund (CEUF).

The CEUF is a targeted, competitive grant program that provides co-funding for energy upgrades at existing local government facilities.

Grants between $25,000 and $2.5 million will be awarded on a merit basis.

The intended outcomes of the program are:

· reduced energy bills and emissions from local government owned and/or operated facilities

· installed energy efficiency, load flexibility and electrification technology that is commercially available

· improved capability of local governments and the wider community to implement energy upgrades and electrification projects in their facilities

· increased capacity of domestic supply chains and labour force to support significant future investment in energy efficiency upgrades

· improved workforce skills in delivering and operating energy transition project

Staff are exploring an application under this program to potentially combine solar, energy storage and EV charging infrastructure on Council facilities. This approach will provide facilities with energy during emergencies and power outages.

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
3: Nurtured Environment	3.4: Support and empower the community to adapt to, and mitigate the impact on climate change	3.4.2: Climate change adaptation - Enhance community resilience and ability to adapt before, during, and after climate events	3.4.2.1	Implement Climate Change Adaptation Plan
3: Nurtured Environment	3.4: Support and empower the community to adapt to, and mitigate the impact on climate change	3.4.2: Climate change adaptation - Enhance community resilience and ability to adapt before, during, and after climate events	3.4.2.2	Develop an Urban Cooling Strategy (CCAP Action 62)
3: Nurtured Environment	3.2: Deliver initiatives and education programs to encourage protection of the environment	3.2.2: Environmental education and awareness - Coordinate and support environmental education to the community	3.2.2.4	Deliver Climate Conversations Exhibition in collaboration with Lone Goat Gallery

Recent Resolutions

N/A

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

N/A

Financial Considerations

N/A

Consultation and Engagement

N/A

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.3

Report No. 4.3 Future Discussion Items for Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Michelle Chapman, Project Support Officer

File No: I2024/123

Summary:

This report summarises reports and information requested by the Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee.

These requests, resourcing and alignment with Council’s Operational Plan are tabled for discussion by the committee, to resolve whether these requests are taken to Council for consideration for inclusion in a future Council OP and budget.

RECOMMENDATION:

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

Report

The following requests for reports or information have been received by Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee members:

Information requested	Resourcing	Operational Plan & other Council Strategies
Requested by Cr Dey Discussion: Minimum Charges of $10 at our Resource Recovery Centre It is highly desirable for Polystyrene to be kept out of landfill. There is a disincentive however for residents to do that at their domestic scale - the $10 minimum charge. The resident already pays by volunteering their time and covering their vehicle expenses to take such materials to the Centre. Commercial quantities are a different matter. Question1: what is the equivalent weight or volume at which the $10 charge is exceeded for Polystryrene? Question 2: could we remove this charge for up to a certain amount and recover the costs elsewhere, eg from landfill? Question 3: can we do the same for all domestic quantities of materials we want to separate from landfill (eg glass, cardboard)?	Currently there is a minimum charge of $10 for all recyclable materials – this includes comingled recycling, cardboard, polystyrene. The per tonne rate is $100 per tonne. This is equivalent to $10 for 100kg. This has been reviewed and will be reduced to $5 minimum charge in the new budget 24/25 to provide more incentive. The costs of handling and processing these materials is already subsidised and costs recovered, even at the current rate ( $10 / $100) as recycling processing alone is $155 per tonne – without transport, handling and associated site costs. Polystyrene is very labour intensive to process – as it is captured at our public drop off area, transported to the processing machinery where it has to be manually fed through the machine which heats and extrudes it into solid blocks so that they can be transported for remanufacture. We have a hire agreement for the machine which also comes at a cost. Whilst we structure the fees to encourage source separation of materials that can be recovered, it is important that the community understands that these materials are costly to process as this would otherwise set an unrealistic expectation of how recycling works, and that the answer is actually to avoid them in the first place.

Information requested

Resourcing

Operational Plan & other Council Strategies

Requested by Cr Dey

Discussion: Minimum Charges of $10 at our Resource Recovery Centre

It is highly desirable for Polystyrene to be kept out of landfill. There is a disincentive however for residents to do that at their domestic scale - the $10 minimum charge.

The resident already pays by volunteering their time and covering their vehicle expenses to take such materials to the Centre. Commercial quantities are a different matter.

Question1: what is the equivalent weight or volume at which the $10 charge is exceeded for Polystryrene?

Question 2: could we remove this charge for up to a certain amount and recover the costs elsewhere, eg from landfill?

Question 3: can we do the same for all domestic quantities of materials we want to separate from landfill (eg glass, cardboard)?

Currently there is a minimum charge of $10 for all recyclable materials – this includes comingled recycling, cardboard, polystyrene.

The per tonne rate is $100 per tonne. This is equivalent to $10 for 100kg.

This has been reviewed and will be reduced to $5 minimum charge in the new budget 24/25 to provide more incentive.

The costs of handling and processing these materials is already subsidised and costs recovered, even at the current rate ( $10 / $100) as recycling processing alone is $155 per tonne – without transport, handling and associated site costs. Polystyrene is very labour intensive to process – as it is captured at our public drop off area, transported to the processing machinery where it has to be manually fed through the machine which heats and extrudes it into solid blocks so that they can be transported for remanufacture. We have a hire agreement for the machine which also comes at a cost.

Whilst we structure the fees to encourage source separation of materials that can be recovered, it is important that the community understands that these materials are costly to process as this would otherwise set an unrealistic expectation of how recycling works, and that the answer is actually to avoid them in the first place.

Key issues

Nil

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
1: Effective Leadership We have effective decision making and community leadership that is open and informed	1.2: Engage and involve community in decision making	1.2.4: Advisory Committees - Coordinate advisory committees to inform decision making on their areas of expertise	1.2.4.1	Coordinate and support Advisory Committees to assist with effective Council decision making

Recent Resolutions

Nil

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

Nil

Financial Considerations

No detailed costings for requested items provided at this stage.

Consultation and Engagement

Nil

Venue	Conference Room, Station Street, Mullumbimby
Date	Thursday, 15 February 2024
Time	9.00am