Media Statements - Grant to Dandaragan for a recycling station

5/1/01

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the Shire of Dandaragan would receive $7,670 to promote recycling in its region.

The grant was just one of 55 Waste Management and Recycling Fund approved projects worth almost $1.4 million announced by Mrs Edwardes.

She said the recycling fund was making a significant contribution to reducing the State’s waste, with the latest round of funding bringing the total of grants approved under the fund to nearly $5 million.

“The fund was introduced in July, 1998 and has since proved to be an invaluable incentive to local government, industry and community groups dedicated to recycling and waste reduction,” Mrs Edwardes said.

“By sponsoring innovative recycling and waste reduction projects, the fund will help to significantly reduce waste and minimise environmental impact.

“The Shire of Dandaragan have replaced an existing landfill with a transfer station to enable the shire to recover recyclable materials from the waste stream for transportation to Perth markets.

“This project will promote recycling and educate the local community to prevent the contamination of recyclables at the transfer station collection point.”

Mrs Edwardes said the Waste Management and Recycling Fund was raised through a landfill levy introduced on July 1, 1998. The levy applied to all landfill sites in the Perth metropolitan area.

Each year, about $4.5 million is raised from the levy and paid into the fund. The fund supports direct grants to the community, local government kerbside recycling schemes, public education programs, regional waste recycling, cleaner production, recycling industry development, and recycling and waste auditing programs.

Applications are invited every two months for funding under seven program categories. Applications are assessed by the Advisory Council on Waste Management, with grants generally being made on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

“The fund is providing a great opportunity for many applicants to get their recycling or waste management ideas up and running,” Mrs Edwardes said.

Application forms and details of the grant scheme can be obtained direct from the Department of Environmental Protection at Level 4, Westralia Square, 141 St George’s Terrace, Perth; by telephone on (08) 9222 8608 or from its web site at http://www.environ.wa.gov.au

Media contact:
Steve Manchee 9421 7777