13/12/00
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the Shire of Roebourne has received a grant of $4,000 in the latest round of grants from the Waste Management and Recycling Fund.
The grant will go towards the development of a marketing strategy to increase the use of mulch produced from recycled greenwaste within the local area.
In this project, signs will be erected at the landfill site to encourage the diversion of clean greenwaste to a separate area for processing. Contractors will process the greenwaste into mulch. Education material will be produced and circulated to encourage the use of mulch, which is beneficial in terms of water conservation and weed control.
Mrs Edwardes said the Shire of Roebourne was one of 41 recipients of grants from the Waste Management and Recycling Fund totalling $1.02 million.
Western Australia’s Waste Management and Recycling Fund is raised from a levy on waste disposed to landfill. It is used to sponsor innovative waste reduction and recycling activities throughout the State.
“Each year almost $5 million is raised from the levy,” Mrs Edwardes said.
“Under the grants program, financial assistance is given to local communities, industry and local government organisations who have projects which will contribute towards the achievement of the State’s waste reduction targets.
“The grant is generally on a dollar-for-dollar basis and the preparedness of applicants to be equal partners in the projects demonstrates their commitment.”
The Shire of Roebourne believes this project will be well supported by the local community because it provides an alternative to disposal of waste and produces a landscaping material for which there is good demand.
Mrs Edwardes congratulated all successful recipients of grants in this funding round.
The total amount of grant funding under the program now totals over $6 million. An additional $2.2 million has also been allocated from the fund under the Municipal Recycling Services rebate scheme, which is a performance based incentive to local councils to reward them for their kerbside recycling collection efforts.
The Minister reminded potential applicants that these grants would be advertised more frequently in future.
“The number of funding rounds has now increased from twice yearly to six times each year,” she said.
The round that has recently been advertised will close on Friday, December 29. Inquiries for grants should be directed to the Funded Programs section of the Department of Environmental Protection on 9222 8608.
Media contact: Steve Manchee on 9421 7777
