The WA Local Government Association says it is glad to see several of its suggestions included in the early stages of a state-wide waste management review, but wants to make sure councils are kept in the loop and not just paid lip service.

The upcoming review of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007 includes a number of points raised by WALGA in its 2013 Vision for Waste Management in the Metropolitan Area.

WALGA President Mayor Troy Pickard said the discussion paper would prompt productive dialogue about a number of key issues and ultimately benefit the community.

“The discussion paper, while not providing a definitive waste management governance model, is a good starting point,” Mayor Pickard said.

“The paper focuses predominately on reforming Local Government waste management arrangements, however Local Governments would also like consideration to be given to the commercial, industrial, construction and demolition sectors to achieve more holistic outcomes.

“WALGA identified the need for some key reforms eighteen months ago, which are reflected in the State Government’s proposals.

“Reducing the number of regional Councils and establishing boundaries based on the ability to deliver waste management and other key services is an obvious improvement.

“It is also essential that all Local Governments maintain membership to waste management groups to provide certainty for long term supply contracts. Compulsory membership would ensure this.”

The discussion paper addresses key waste management challenges that will hit metropolitan areas like Perth or Peel, where the population will increase from 1,930,000 to 2,200,000 by 2020.

“We are now generating five million tonnes of waste in the Perth and Peel regions per year. This will grow to six million tonnes by 2020, which will place an enormous burden on Local Governments,” Mayor Pickard said.

“It is essential that the State Government play a leadership role to manage this growth properly, with full support from the sector.”