❓ A parliamentary question raises concerns about the South Metropolitan Regional Council's waste management practices, including potential illegal exporting of unsorted waste and its impact on a local recycler. The Minister acknowledges the complaint and refers it for departmental advice.
AnsweredQoN 170Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the minister aware that - (a) by reason of two directions by the South Metropolitan Regional Council to householders, waste was added to recycling bins in the local government areas of that council which required sorting and removal before recycling; (b) as a direct consequence of those directions and the householders following them, one of Western Australia’s most significant recyclers has become insolvent; (c) the SMRC has been exporting household waste overseas; and (d) the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage is investigating the SMRC to determine whether it has breached the Hazardous (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 by exporting unsorted household waste without a permit? (2) What action has the minister taken to ascertain whether the council has been acting illegally, and what action will the minister take to ensure that the SMRC does not continue to act illegally or hazard the state’s recycling efforts? Hon JON FORD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Local Government and Regional Development has provided the following answer. (1) (a)-(d) Along with several other ministers, I have received a complaint regarding the operations of Southern Metropolitan Regional Council. The complaint contains allegations along the lines of the matter the member has raised. (2) The complaint has been referred to the Department of Local Government and Regional Development for advice as to whether there is a role for me or my department in addressing the concerns raised.
(b) as a direct consequence of those directions and the householders following them, one of Western Australia’s most significant recyclers has become insolvent; (c) the SMRC has been exporting household waste overseas; and (d) the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage is investigating the SMRC to determine whether it has breached the Hazardous (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 by exporting unsorted household waste without a permit?
(c) the SMRC has been exporting household waste overseas; and (d) the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage is investigating the SMRC to determine whether it has breached the Hazardous (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 by exporting unsorted household waste without a permit?
(d) the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage is investigating the SMRC to determine whether it has breached the Hazardous (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 by exporting unsorted household waste without a permit?
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Local Government and Regional Development has provided the following answer. (1) (a)-(d) Along with several other ministers, I have received a complaint regarding the operations of Southern Metropolitan Regional Council. The complaint contains allegations along the lines of the matter the member has raised. (2) The complaint has been referred to the Department of Local Government and Regional Development for advice as to whether there is a role for me or my department in addressing the concerns raised.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Local Government and Regional Development has provided the following answer. (1) (a)-(d) Along with several other ministers, I have received a complaint regarding the operations of Southern Metropolitan Regional Council. The complaint contains allegations along the lines of the matter the member has raised. (2) The complaint has been referred to the Department of Local Government and Regional Development for advice as to whether there is a role for me or my department in addressing the concerns raised.
The Minister for Local Government and Regional Development has provided the following answer. (1) (a)-(d) Along with several other ministers, I have received a complaint regarding the operations of Southern Metropolitan Regional Council. The complaint contains allegations along the lines of the matter the member has raised. (2) The complaint has been referred to the Department of Local Government and Regional Development for advice as to whether there is a role for me or my department in addressing the concerns raised.
(1) (a)-(d) Along with several other ministers, I have received a complaint regarding the operations of Southern Metropolitan Regional Council. The complaint contains allegations along the lines of the matter the member has raised. (2) The complaint has been referred to the Department of Local Government and Regional Development for advice as to whether there is a role for me or my department in addressing the concerns raised.
(2) The complaint has been referred to the Department of Local Government and Regional Development for advice as to whether there is a role for me or my department in addressing the concerns raised.
(b) as a direct consequence of those directions and the householders following them, one of Western Australia’s most significant recyclers has become insolvent; (c) the SMRC has been exporting household waste overseas; and (d) the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage is investigating the SMRC to determine whether it has breached the Hazardous (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 by exporting unsorted household waste without a permit?
(c) the SMRC has been exporting household waste overseas; and (d) the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage is investigating the SMRC to determine whether it has breached the Hazardous (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 by exporting unsorted household waste without a permit?
(d) the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage is investigating the SMRC to determine whether it has breached the Hazardous (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 by exporting unsorted household waste without a permit?
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Local Government and Regional Development has provided the following answer. (1) (a)-(d) Along with several other ministers, I have received a complaint regarding the operations of Southern Metropolitan Regional Council. The complaint contains allegations along the lines of the matter the member has raised. (2) The complaint has been referred to the Department of Local Government and Regional Development for advice as to whether there is a role for me or my department in addressing the concerns raised.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Local Government and Regional Development has provided the following answer. (1) (a)-(d) Along with several other ministers, I have received a complaint regarding the operations of Southern Metropolitan Regional Council. The complaint contains allegations along the lines of the matter the member has raised. (2) The complaint has been referred to the Department of Local Government and Regional Development for advice as to whether there is a role for me or my department in addressing the concerns raised.
The Minister for Local Government and Regional Development has provided the following answer. (1) (a)-(d) Along with several other ministers, I have received a complaint regarding the operations of Southern Metropolitan Regional Council. The complaint contains allegations along the lines of the matter the member has raised. (2) The complaint has been referred to the Department of Local Government and Regional Development for advice as to whether there is a role for me or my department in addressing the concerns raised.
(1) (a)-(d) Along with several other ministers, I have received a complaint regarding the operations of Southern Metropolitan Regional Council. The complaint contains allegations along the lines of the matter the member has raised. (2) The complaint has been referred to the Department of Local Government and Regional Development for advice as to whether there is a role for me or my department in addressing the concerns raised.
(2) The complaint has been referred to the Department of Local Government and Regional Development for advice as to whether there is a role for me or my department in addressing the concerns raised.
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