Waste Smart WA's new statutory waste authority

Environment Minister David Templeman today announced the membership of the State's new statutory waste authority, Waste Smart WA.

Mr Templeman said Waste Smart WA would ensure Western Australia remained at the forefront of innovations in waste management and provide direction and advice on how the State could improve its performance.

The Minister said Waste Smart WA was created under the recently enacted Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007.

"One of the key early tasks of Waste Smart WA is to develop a State-wide, long-term strategy for the continuous improvement of waste services, waste avoidance and resource recovery," he said.

"This includes the setting of targets for waste reduction and resource recovery and the diversion of waste from landfill.

"The Waste Authority will have an important role in advancing product stewardship and extended producer responsibility in WA.

"The Waste Authority is also charged with working with local governments to co-ordinate local efforts to prevent and reduce waste.  

"Local government is a vital partner and its front-line role is critical to achieve success in moving towards zero waste in WA."

The Waste Authority members are:

·         Barry Carbon, chairman - consultant, previous Chairman of the Waste Management Board, former chairman of the Environmental Protection Authority;

·         Jan Grimoldby, deputy chairperson - consultant, retired local government CEO;

·         Carolyn Jakobsen,  member - member of the Murdoch University Senate, member of the Swan River Trust, former member of the Waste Management Board;

·         Marcus Geisler, president of the Waste Management Association WA and general manager Thiess Services Western Region; and

·         Professor Paul Hardisty, global director Sustainability and EcoNomics^TM for Worley Parsons.  Professor Hardisty has more than 20 years' experience in the environmental field and is a recognised expert in the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites and groundwater, and the behaviour of organic chemical wastes in the natural environment.

Mr Templeman said the Department of Environment and Conservation would provide technical and executive support to the Authority.

The new Waste Authority would replace the former non-statutory Waste Management Board.

"If we are serious about tackling waste, it is essential that we have a statutory waste authority, independent of the Department of Environment and Conservation, so it can work collaboratively and productively with business and industry," the Minister said.

"Waste Smart WA will provide a blueprint on how we can act now for the future and tackle the perennial waste problem."