Rubbish, recycling controlled form Hamilton
By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
BARWON Region Waste Management Group has been killed off in a State Government reshuffle.
The region’s waste management will now be controlled from Hamilton, with Geelong to become part of a nine-council south western “forum”.
The changes could make redundant 10 full and part-time local staff.
The Independent understands that Barwon waste group chief executive officer Enzo Bruscella has decided against applying for the chief’s role at the new entity.
The Barwon group won numerous awards for its waste management and innovative recycling campaigns.
State Government has reduced the number of waste management groups across Victoria from 13 to seven, almost all in regional areas.
A ministerial advisory committee report on the state’s waste and resource recovery structure retained the metropolitan group.
But it included Geelong with several south-western councils, stretching to Portland.
Geelong’s council this week nominated environment and sustainability portfolio holder Andy Richards as its representative to the new forum and City Hall services manager Gary Van Driel as an advisory member.
Cr Richards, also Barwon Region Waste Management group’s chairman, said council had a “constructive and fruitful relationship” with the group for 20 years.
“We want to continue that good relationship with the new entity.
However, City of Greater Geelong is concerned about two issues in regard to the reforms.
“First, despite the fact that City has over three quarters of the waste in the new nine council area we’re not guaranteed representation on the board of the new entity. Second, the government has stipulated the head office of the new entity will be in Hamilton in western Victoria rather than in or near Geelong where most of the population is.
“These two issues are the same for Ballarat and Bendigo councils and I understand they’re equally concerned. Hopefully, we can resolve these issues with the State Government over the next 12 months.”
The Independent was unable to obtain comment from Environment Minister Ryan Smith before going to press.
