Page 555 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 21 February 2018
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physically incapable of presenting their green bin to the kerbside for collection, a service that has been well received by those in need.
The government first announced green bins in May 2016. Following the announcement, I met with trash pack operators to discuss the pilot. They expressed their concern to me. I listened to that and asked TCCS to consider ways in which they could assist those operators at that time. At that meeting it was discussed that they would be very welcome to respond to the request for expressions of interest to provide the green bin pilot service. TCCS officials also met with trash pack operators throughout that year in the lead-up to the request for expressions of interest. The full rollout across the ACT, while occurring a year earlier than originally announced, provided three years notice to the industry from the date of the original announcement.
Whilst the procurement process to deliver the whole-of-Canberra service is well advanced, I have given my commitment to work with industry to explore ways the government can facilitate access to existing business support services, as well as identify other opportunities as the ACT’s waste industry progresses over the next few years.
The pilot was important, as it has provided and continues to provide information about what works well, and where opportunities to identify service improvements still exist. One such opportunity is how we provide green bins to multi-unit developments. Given the diversity of multi-unit developments, it is often not appropriate or possible to provide each residence with an individual 240-litre wheelie bin. In these circumstances, the service is best provided through a communal or shared bin service delivery model. ACT NoWaste is working with the principal contractor for the pilot, Corkhill Bros, to consider opportunities to trial green waste trash packs in a multi-unit development environment. While these discussions are at an early stage, it is hoped that a controlled trial can be designed using an existing trash pack operator to evaluate whether a trash pack based model can be deployed effectively in multi-unit developments.
On my behalf, ACT NoWaste has also met with the Canberra Business Chamber, CIT and Skills Canberra to explore opportunities for a tailored suite of services to meet the individual needs of trash pack operators. ACT NoWaste, through a partnership approach, is seeking to establish a business triage model to identify and connect the right services at the right time to best support those in need. These could include counselling, business coaching, training and upskilling, and potential pathways to new employment. ACT NoWaste is also working with SUEZ, the territory’s kerbside collection contractor, to identify opportunities for trash pack operators and their staff to apply for employment as waste truck drivers. SUEZ is extending an invitation to holders of a heavy reg licence to apply for its casual pool. Casual employment may be an attractive incentive to supplement an established trash pack business.
The government is also committed to delivering a container deposit scheme. The CDS logistics involve the transportation of millions of containers to collection points, and from collection points to the Hume materials recovery facility. ACT NoWaste is assessing the potential for trash pack operators to act as transportation contracts for the network operator. There are also opportunities for trash pack operators to diversify
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