Media Statements - Mindarie Regional Council to study secondary waste treatment with $40,000 grant

11/12/00

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the Mindarie Regional Council has received a grant of $39,785 in the latest round of grants from the Waste Management and Recycling Fund.

The grant will go towards an investigation into secondary waste treatment methods, including waste to energy options.

This project will investigate the potential for processing and re-using municipal solid waste rather than disposing waste to landfill. The results will determine the implementation of waste treatment methods other than landfill.

Mrs Edwardes said Mindarie Regional Council was one of 41 recipients of grants from the Waste Management and Recycling Fund totalling $1.02 million that were announced today.

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.”

Mindarie Regional Council believes the project findings will progress development of secondary waste treatment, increasing the value-adding capacity of Western Australia.

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.

Mrs Edwardes 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