13 March 2020

WINS!

Saving our Recycling in NSW now within reach
The raft of State Government proposals to tackle the use of plastics, reduce waste and pollution, and increase recycling in NSW was gratifying news this week, following two years of advocacy. We’re optimistic about the Premier’s plans to re-examine the Waste Levy, with the view to reinvesting it for the purpose it is collected –consistent with our Save our Recycling campaign ask. Well done and now is the time to step up our efforts further to get the changes our community wants to improve recycling in NSW. We’re now facing the very welcome prospect that the upcoming COAG meeting on 13 March will see the release of details about Commonwealth, State and industry co-investment in critical waste and recycling infrastructure and technology in NSW, particularly where it will assist the implementation of proposed waste export bans.

Increased mental health assistance and 100 temporary accommodation pods to assist communities working towards stability following bushfires
Over the past few months, LGNSW has advocated for more face-to-face mental health services and counsellors to be provided and appealed for more appropriate interim housing for displaced people in the interests of community wellbeing. We are pleased to see the NSW Government has agreed to waive the building and construction Long Service Levy for bushfire affected residents, which in many instances councils collect on behalf of the NSW Government.

ADD YOUR WEIGHT TO THE POLITICAL DEBATE

Help secure funding and action to Save our Recycling
Our collective challenge is to be ready to help shape government proposals, by identifying resource recovery and reprocessing infrastructure projects that would boost recycled content sourced from kerbside recycling in materials or products in your local area or region.

You can help by:

• Resolving the Save our Recycling Mayoral Minute, if you haven’t already.
• Expediting any project proposals your council/group of councils may have in the pipeline or at concept stage and review your procurement policies to commit to buying-back a proportion of the material collected through your kerbside collections, wherever possible. Please let LGNSW know as soon as possible by emailing Susy Cenedese, Strategy Manager Environment or call 9242 4080.
• Provide feedback on the future of waste and recycling in New South Wales, via the two issues papers (Cleaning Up Our Act: The Future for Waste and Resource Recovery in NSW and Cleaning Up Our Act: Redirecting the Future of Plastic in NSW).

Promote the conversation about the importance of superannuation for councillors
Help improve the prospect of the State government mandating superannuation for Mayors and Councillors by moving a resolution at your council, ensuring your council is sharing your views with the Office of Local Government, or by contributing to the LGNSW submission via email to the Workplace Relations Unit.

HELP AMPLIFY OUR SECTOR'S ADVOCACY WORK
Let’s keep waste management and recycling firmly on the agenda by sharing your recycling stories as part of the LGNSW #SaveourRecycling campaign. Join us on Facebook @saveourrecycling and share the many great examples of how your Council is already procuring recycled materials particularly those materials or products made with recycled Australian content via our media and social media channels.

REMINDER
All employers covered by the Award are to provide information relating to casual, labour hire and fixed term contract employees to the Industrial Relations Commission by no later than 4pm on 30 March 2020.

TIP OF THE WEEK
We can all help to make sure people have Coronavirus facts and resources. The Office of Local Government has also issued a Council Circular. For specific workplace information related to COVID-19 please email our Industrial Officers or call (02) 9242 4142.

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