Shoalhaven City Council has been selected to take part
in a pilot scheme which will allow for the lower cost disposal of asbestos
waste from home renovations and demolitions.
The pilot scheme, supported by the NSW Environment Protection Authority
(EPA) with funding from the State Government Waste Levy, is aimed
at reducing the illegal dumping of asbestos waste.
Under the Householders Asbestos Disposal Scheme, local
residents will be able to dispose of small amounts of wrapped bonded asbestos
from home renovations for $102 per tonne.
This figure is significantly lower than the normal
disposal charge of $290 per tonne.
Mayor, Joanna Gash said she was extremely pleased to
see Shoalhaven City chosen to participate in the pilot scheme saying the
successful Councils had been selected by an independent Technical Review Panel based on
the merit of their applications.
“Council is extremely pleased to be participating in
the Householders Asbestos Disposal Scheme, a pilot program designed to
eliminate the illegal dumping of asbestos within the community,” said Clr Gash.
“Results
of the pilot program will be independently analysed by research and evaluation
experts to inform the NSW Government on the best approach to reduce the dumping
of asbestos waste.
“This is an extremely positive innovation from the NSW
State Government and I am certainly looking forward to seeing the results at
the conclusion of the trial period.”
The Mayor said that the discounted disposal fees were enabled as a result of the
State Government levy of $120.90 per tonne being waived and the $50 per tonne
payment by the EPA.
The discount will only apply to one load of up to five tonnes of bonded
asbestos material within the 12 month trial period.
Both the
Ulladulla and West Nowra Recycling and Waste Depots will be participating in
the scheme.
To
be eligible for the scheme local residents must register with Council prior to
proceeding to landfill.
A
coupon will be issued by Council and the discount automatically applied.
The Scheme
commences on 1 July 2014 and finishes on 30 June 2015 and is available to
Shoalhaven householders only.
For more information on the Householders Asbestos
Disposal Scheme (HADS) in the Shoalhaven please ring Council on 4429 5555 on
Tuesdays and Thursdays during business hours or go to the EPA website www.epa.nsw.gov.au/waste/illegaldumpgrants.htm