Annual Reports

Chairperson's report - Jill Parker

It is with pleasure that I present the eighth and final Barwon South West Waste and Resource Recovery Group (Barwon South West WRRG) Annual Report.

Barwon South West WRRG remained committed and focused on achieving our purpose and objectives whilst approaching the transition towards Recycling Victoria. The staff exhibited professionalism, resilience and integrity, and their development and delivery continued to remain the top priority throughout the past year.

Barwon South West WRRG continued to demonstrate a sustained and united approach to achieve many successful outcomes in the past year including the release of the Kerbside Audit Report, several grants provided under the Can Do Community project and other valuable pieces of work to benefit the needs of the Barwon South West region. These major achievements demonstrated the value of our small team and how we continue to be regional leaders in the waste and resource recovery sector and circular economy change champions.

The Board has continued to work progressively and effectively and demonstrated strong governance and leadership. It has maintained a good working relationship with management which has contributed to the successful operation of the organisation.

In conclusion, the Board along with management is pleased with the extensive successful and positive outcomes that have been completed by the Group throughout its existence. Upon the transition to Recycling Victoria, the Group has endeavoured to facilitate and deliver great value and benefits across the Barwon South West region and advance waste minimisation and resource recovery to its optimum potential.

Chair's report - Richard A Ellis

In a year of continued disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I would like to recognise the dedication of my fellow Directors and the Resource Recovery Group team for maintaining a focus on delivering benefit in the waste and resource recovery sector.

It is important at this stage of the entity’s life to reflect on the accomplishments over the past seven years following the establishment of our statutory authority in 2014. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the considerable work undertaken by the first Board in establishing sound systems of governance and a pragmatic approach to managing the risks faced by the organisation as it developed the Gippsland Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan (Implementation Plan), gazetted in 2017.

I am pleased that the work done by our organisation has strengthened our systems, something clearly demonstrated by our strong financial performance and the achievements articulated in successive Business Plans and overarching Implementation Plan.

First initiated in the Implementation Plan, the Gippswide Kerbside Collaborative Procurement Project is a significant and transformational program of procurements first released in early August 2021. With the project now nearing completion it has showcased a truly successful partnership between all Gippsland Councils and Resource Recovery Gippsland. The project has been a genuinely collaborative effort in developing a region-wide approach to resource recovery and waste management that will enable alliances to leverage market efficiencies,
attract innovation, stimulate local economic development, and drive positive environmental outcomes for Gippsland.

Responding to the Victorian Government’s circular economy policy, Recycling Victoria: a new economy, Gippswide Kerbside enables Gippsland’s councils to progressively transition to new kerbside services outlined in new legislation and begins to prepare the region’s transition to a low carbon circular economy. I would like to thank the Minister for Environment and Climate Action, Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio for her continued support of this initiative during the transition to Recycling Victoria.

While final decisions relating to the awarding of each of the four Gippswide Kerbside tenders will conclude early during the 2022-23 financial year, following the dissolution Resource Recovery Gippsland on June 30 this year, the project will remain a proud legacy and significant achievement in preparing our region for a new era of waste and resource management.

I would also like to acknowledge the work the Resource Recovery Group team has undertaken this year in delivering the Gippswide Kerbside Project and in preparing for a smooth transition to Recycling Victoria. The amount of work involved in winding up an organisation and migrating to new systems and processes should never be underestimated. I commend our staff for their diligence and positive attitude towards ensuring our successor organisation commences on a strong foundation and successfully launches on 1 July 2022.

As we conclude a successful 12 months, I would like to thank my fellow Directors for their unwavering support and commitment as we bring the organisation to a close.

Chair’s report - Seema Abdullah

It is my pleasure to present the 2021–22 annual report of the Goulburn Valley Waste and Resource Recovery Group (GVWRRG).

With the impending dissolution of WRRGs, this our final operations report could easily have developed with a poignant tone. But instead, an
air of satisfaction and optimism characterises our thoughts toward the institutional change underway.

The challenge of 2021-22 was to achieve a strong finish with significant work to support Recycling Victoria Programs being progressively balanced with an increasing focus on organisational transition.

Necessarily, this has required a flexible and agile mindset for the board, the staff and key stakeholders.

On behalf of the GVWRRG Board, I would like to acknowledge the commitment and professionalism of our staff and Executive Officer, who have helped our region provide strong demonstration and innovation in addressing challenges within our sector.

From 1 July 2022, Goulburn Valley Waste and Resource Recovery Group (GVWRRG) will be abolished under the Circular Economy (Waste
Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021. Staff will transfer to Recycling Victoria to deliver the functions of RV, including providing procurement support and facilitation, such as building capacity and supporting best practice procurement and contract management for councils, in line with RV’s statutory obligations.

I thank our board directors, whose guidance and enthusiasm have been vital to our success as an entity. Through a series of marquee projects, we are proud of the achievements that GVWRRG has made against our Regional Implementation Plan.

Building on the work and legacy of GVWRRG, Recycling Victoria will oversee and provide strategic leadership to the state’s waste and
recycling sector.

The regional community within the Goulburn Valley can be pleased with the knowledge that GVWRRG has provided a considerable foundation
for strengthening Victoria’s waste and recycling system, which now becomes the work of Recycling Victoria from 1 July 2022.

Chairperson's report - Sebastian Klein

It’s my pleasure to present the final Annual Report for the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group for the year ending 30 June 2022 in keeping with the Financial Management Act 1994. Beyond those statutory obligations – the report also provides a review of the groups achievements over the past year in pursuing reduced waste to landfill and increased resource recovery, as well as some broader reflections on the past four years from the Board level.

2021-22 has seen continued efforts to increase the effectiveness and resilience of the resource recovery system in Victoria in the wake of significant market failures associated with the China Sword policy and processing market consolidation in Victoria. While the sector has been relatively stable over the past 12 months, the need to build market resilience and improve processes remains imperative. In this context, the new Waste Authority, if delivered well, represents an opportunity to increase resource recovery levels, capacity and resilience in our waste systems. To fulfill this responsibility, the Group has worked on key priority areas including:

• Supporting the development of regional processing infrastructure for recyclable materials and organic materials  Furthering efforts to develop a robust data system to support strong decision making
• Supporting DELWP with the transition to the new Waste Authority
• Engagement with the region to support council and industry’s ability to implement the Recycle Victoria policy
• Resource Smart Schools.

Particularly we have supported the State Government as they have developed the foundations for the new Recycling Victoria authority. This has formed an additional focus for the Group as we have remained committed to driving and supporting strategic approaches to the delivery of waste services throughout the region.

The Group continued to work between community groups, councils and resource recovery businesses to maintain social license and buffers around processing facilities and landfills as well as supporting the planning and development of future sites.

We continued investigations into the development of organics processing facilities across the region including facilitating collaboration between Horsham and Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water to support processing and bioenergy production. We also worked closely in partnership with the City of Ballarat to develop and mature the business case for a MRF facility at Ballarat to support transition to a circular economy.

Grampians Central West WRRG has also continued a strong community engagement program, engaging with social media program to drive the recycling message alongside our traditional presence at events across the region. The Forum has continued to be invaluable in maintaining connections and sharing information throughout the region over the numerous disruptions of the past year and beyond.

The Forum Chair Tom Sullivan has been unwavering in his support for the WRRG and his commitment to a better regional waste system. I’d like to thank him and all of the councillors and council staff who have contributed to this across the region. Similarly, the Local Government Technical Officer Advisory Group (TARG) has continued their excellent work through numerous disruptions.

Recognition must also be given to the officers of the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning, Sustainability Victoria, other Waste & Resource Recovery Groups and the EPA who have worked tirelessly, patiently and attentively with us throughout the year. We have been grateful for their commitment to close collaboration and communication to achieve a smooth transition. Among significant upheaval and extended terms, the Board has maintained its commitment and dedication to the organisation, with a focus on providing support to the EO and team in a time of change. I would like to thank my fellow board members, Cr Kevin Erwin, Cr Corinne Heintze, Rob Miller, Robyn Evans and Bridget Wetherall for their support and dedication over the past 12 months. Specifically, I would also like to specifically thank Cr Belinda Coates who stood in for me as Chair while I was on personal leave earlier this year.

On behalf of the Board, I extend our thanks to the GCWWRRG team who have maintained their professionalism, morale and dedication to the business of the Group in the context of change. Thanks particularly to Ragini Prasad whose attention to the wellbeing of staff and general positivity has been amazing.

The Board wishes our GCWWRRG personnel and the other incoming Recycling Victoria staff all of the very best wishes as they seek to deliver progress on the State’s journey to a circular economy.

Chair and Executive Officer report - Jennifer Anderson and Melanie Bell

With the knowledge that Recycling Victoria will be commencing on 1 July 2022, the Loddon Mallee WRRG has been undertaking activities with a focus on ensuring a smooth transition to the new entity. While our focus has been on the transition, we have continued to maintain our drive and passion for working with our stakeholders to reduce waste and improve resource recovery as part of their everyday mantra.

We have remained focussed on supporting our member councils to further understand the potential impacts of the introduction of a container deposit scheme, and the transition to a four-stream household waste and recycling system.

On 30 January 2022 we completed our facilitation of the ResourceSmart Schools program as this function transitioned to Sustainability Victoria (SV).

We have worked closely with businesses in our region, including finalising grants provided through our Loddon Mallee Fund for projects that particularly focussed on reducing organic waste to landfill.

All Board members agreed to extend their positions on the Board until Recycling Victoria (RV) is established and all WRRGs are dissolved from 1 July 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic continued to interrupt our normal flow of business, with lockdowns still occurring in 2021 which limited face to face encounters. Although restrictions eased at the beginning of 2022, an increase in case numbers resulted in the cancellation of many face to face encounters with online platforms continuing to be utilised due to participant illness or the need to isolate.

Through online forums and working groups, our staff have been actively engaged in the transition process to ensure a successful commencement of RV from 1 July 2022.

We held our final Local Government Waste Forum (Forum) and Technical Advisory Reference Group (TARG) combined meeting in Swan Hill on Thursday, 12 May 2022. We welcomed board members, representatives from SV, Environment Protection Authority (EPA), DELWP and the interim head of RV. The passion in the room for working towards a circular economy within our region and across Victoria was obvious, with celebrations for what we have achieved, an appreciation of all the partnerships we have forged and enthusiasm for continuing to work effectively together in the future.

One of our major projects in the last 12 months was the completion of our Regional and Rural Infrastructure Model which was well received by our member Councils and industry. The model will assist RV in identifying existing infrastructure in each of our Councils, as well as the limitations of various models for dealing with resource recovery depending on the geographical size, travel distances and populations. We provided an opportunity for our Councils to trial compacting bins, which produce data to assist them with future business cases for using such technology. As part of our Community Champions project, we delivered videos featuring community members throughout the region to inspire others to continually think of ways to reduce waste.

Acting Executive Officer, Melanie Bell, will continue with RV to play an important role in the transition to the new entity and provide an understanding of our region.

The Board have enjoyed their time assisting the Loddon Mallee WRRG to be a high functioning organisation.

We would like to thank all staff and Board members for their continued support of our roles as Chair and Acting Executive Officer throughout our time in these positions.

As the Board dissolves from 30 June 2022, we do so knowing that through collaboration with DELWP, SV, EPA, businesses, schools, our councils and communities, the Loddon Mallee region has been set up to be a key player in supporting product stewardship, well manufactured products that last, reducing, reusing and recycling materials, with the ultimate aim of reducing waste to landfill.

We embrace the circular economy and the ambitions RV and wish them successful outcomes for material use and reuse in Victoria and a leadership role both within Australia and internationally.

Message from the CEO - Jill Riseley

Over the last year, the waste and resource recovery sector has rapidly changed and continued an extraordinary transition. We’ve been guided by the Victorian Government’s $515 million investment to transform the sector, including $380 million to deliver its circular economy plan, Recycling Victoria: a new economy.

We are excited by the opportunities of a circular economy. The benefits are clear: lower emissions, less pollution and waste, and less destructive resource extraction - coupled with more jobs and better economic outcomes. However, this transformation will require systems thinking with multi-sector, multi-jurisdiction, and multi-partner collaboration. We are pleased to have begun this journey and played a significant role to support this transition.

We delivered Australia’s largest circular economy capacity building program for 300 Victorian leaders through a world first partnership with the United Nations. The circular economy leadership course brought global insights to Victoria, built knowledge, expertise, and leadership in councils, community organisations, and the waste and resource recovery sector.

We’ve also been leading the way through delivery of large scale procurements and contract management for essential infrastructure and services as well as ensuring councils have made the most of the ongoing transformation by providing them with the strategic advice and resources they need. We have also played a critical role in identifying barriers to resource recovery as well as opportunities for improved outcomes.

While we are focused on this transformation, we also take this opportunity to look back proudly on the significant contribution we have made to the sector and broader community. We are particularly proud of these achievements over the past year:

• Our support of councils to introduce food waste recycling services—22 councils already have a service with the remaining nine planning to implement one—and achieve significant diversion of organic waste from landfill.
• We developed a range of resources to enable councils and businesses to deliver effective waste and recycling services—from guidance on preventing illegal dumping to our Food waste for business guide, which provides practical advice to help businesses reduce or recycle their food waste. We also provided advice for improving resource recovery in multi-unit developments (MUDs), and updated a guide on gaining a social licence to operate through community and stakeholder engagement.
• Our ongoing partnerships with industry and councils, delivered in part, through user groups, which we lead as a part of our contract management. We maintained high council satisfaction ratings for the way we managed contracts, with an overall satisfaction rating of 87% (up from 85% the previous year).
• We also progressed the south east metropolitan advanced waste processing procurement, working with councils to deliver an alternative to landfill. This procurement will play a significant role in delivering the Recycling Victoria target to divert 80% of waste from landfill by 2030.

On 1 July 2022, MWRRG—its staff, expertise, and resources—will be transferred to Recycling Victoria. Local government, business, and industry will continue to benefit from our critical expertise, local relationships, and invaluable knowledge base within this exciting new government entity.

I’d like to thank our local government partners, the waste and recycling industry, and those in the community who have supported and worked with us throughout the last year.

In particular, I’d like to acknowledge the MWRRG Board, who have led us so well during this most transformative year, and our staff who have delivered an excellent program of work during a time of transition.

While MWRRG, the entity, will no longer exist, our expertise, insights, and relationships with councils, industry, and across the sector will continue.

Chair’s report - Veronica Schilling

I am pleased to present the North East Waste and Resource Recovery Group's (North East WRRG) Annual Report for 2021-22 on behalf of the Board of Directors.

The North East WRRG adopted an ambitious business plan, focused on supporting the needs of our key stakeholders and partners and the group has worked diligently to ensure the completion of all projects and priorities.

We have continued to work in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders to reduce waste and increase recycling opportunities at a state and local level. This year has seen significant policy and legislation changes. On the 14 December 2021, the CE Act become an Act of Parliament. The Act provides for stronger regulation of the state’s waste and recycling sector.

The Act and Recycling Victoria are key commitments of the Victorian Government’s circular economy plan, Recycling Victoria: a new economy, to reduce waste and landfill, and provide for more and better recycling and a sustainable and thriving circular economy.

North East WRRG has worked to support the implementation of the circular economy plan, with a particular focus on ensuring the implementation of Kerbside reform. North East WRRG is proud of the partnerships it has formed with councils and alpine resorts in the North East region who have a strong history of working collaboratively to achieve important economic, social and environmental gains. We have continued to further strengthen these partnerships and help position the region at the forefront of waste management innovation and service delivery.

Some highlights during 2021-22 have been:

• Establishment of the ‘Resource Recovery Collective – Hume’. This initiative will support the region to achieve the four ambitious targets set out within the Victorian Government’s circular economy policy as part of kerbside reform.
• The completion of Kerbside and Public Place Waste Audits across the region which will be used to inform important decision making regarding kerbside services and to direct waste education initiatives.
• Supporting Councils and Alpine Resorts to finalise their kerbside transition plans and the completion of a feasibility study regarding the optimal implementation of the fourth glass bin.
• Launch of a regional data platform to record incoming waste data at resource recovery centres and landfills across the region.
• Supporting the implementation of the North East Waste Education Strategy through the formation of the ‘Waste Education Network’ and completion of numerous important waste education initiatives.
• Advocating for the needs of our region as the state has worked to implement the changes to waste legislation.

While this year will be the last year of operation for the North East WRRG, due to the CE Act which will see establishment on 1 July 2022 of Recycling Victoria, I am immensely proud of our achievements and that the North East region is leading the state in diverting recyclable material from landfill.