Tuesday, 19 August 2014

Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has welcomed the NSW Government’s allocation of over $330,000 to help Warringah Council tackle rubbish and waste problems.

Warringah Council secured the funding in the second year of the EPA Better Waste and Recycling Fund from the NSW Government’s $465.7 million Waste Less, Recycle More initiative.

The funds will be used for projects aimed at diverting waste from landfill, increasing recycling and supporting popular community based initiatives. The projects include a review of council’s internal waste facilities and management, improved E-waste recycling, short films on key waste issues, and ways to boost the vegetation service.

Mr O’Dea said the funding would help tackle waste and rubbish issues, which are close to the hearts of local residents.

“This funding will help us clean up the community, for the community, as a community,” Mr O’Dea said.

“Waste and rubbish are everyone’s problem, and it is terrific the NSW Government is stepping up on this issue,” he said.

Environment Minister Rob Stokes congratulated the council on its solid work helping to keep rubbish out of landfill and out of our environment.

“These initiatives show just what can be achieved when governments and the community work together for the betterment of our environment and our community,” Rob Stokes said.

“The projects receiving financial backing will help the council take the fight to rubbish and waste.”

This round of funding is part of the four-year $70 million Better Waste and Recycling Fund designed by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to support council-run waste and recycling projects in the state’s waste-levy paying area.

Across NSW, councils will receive $223 million exclusively and have access to a further $134 million in contestable grants, under the five year Waste Less, Recycle More initiative, making this the largest waste funding package in NSW.

More information about the $465.7 million Waste Less, Recycle More program can be found on the EPA website at www.environment.nsw.gov.au