MOUNT Gambier City Council has highlighted the long-term impacts of the China Sword Policy during a hearing with South Australia’s Environmental, Resources and Development committee.
Senior City Council staff indicated there had been an 80pc increase in recycling costs since the policy changed last year.
Council infrastructure manager Nick Serle and environment sustainability officer Aaron Izzard raised the issues with the parliamentary committee, questioning whether future support may be available to help alleviate the impacts.
Mr Serle said infrastructure for better processing of material was needed within the region, suggesting a baling machine could limit the amount of plastics going to landfill.
The local representative also revealed a significant amount of recyclable material was heading to landfill in the region.
The use of material such as broken glass in road resurfacing and repairs was also floated.
Mr Serle revealed there was a need in the Limestone Coast for a facility capable of crushing the material for road use, calling for committee feedback into potential funding streams for further research and infrastructure.
Stating the material was within the region, Mr Serle said councils around the Limestone Coast “need support” to develop the techniques need to create a suitable product.
“We would also need funding for the research and development which needs to be done,” Mr Serle said.
“I think we have moved on from resistance in this manner and I believe we need some freeing of policies surrounding this option.”
Mr Serle also touched on the council’s aim to “recycle as much as possible” and the need for a recycling sorting facility, while highlighting the success of council’s kitchen caddy program which has halved the amount of organic waste going to Caroline Landfill.
“We are also looking into opportunities in waste energy,” Mr Serle said.
“We do not have the scale at the moment but it is something we are keeping an eye on.”
