Agenda of Ordinary Council Meeting - Monday, 17 March 2025


Chief Financial Officer – Tony Rocca
Proposed Motions for MAV State Council Meeting - 16 May 2025	Item 3

Purpose

To consider five (5) motions for submission to the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) State Council Meeting to be held on Friday 16 May 2025.

Strategic / policy issues

The following directions contained in Maroondah 2040: Our Future Together and the Council Plan 2021-2025 (Year 4: 2024-2025) provide the strategic framework that underpins the purpose of this report.

Our Vision: In 2040, Maroondah will be an empowered community actively engaged in local decision making, led by an innovative community inspired Council that collaborates regionally and proactively champions local needs.

Key Directions 2021 – 2025:

8.1 Provide community inspired governance that is transparent, accessible, inclusive and accountable.

8.2 Ensure responsible and sustainable management of Maroondah’s resources, assets, infrastructure and natural environment.

8.11 Work in partnership to advocate for and champion the needs and aspirations of the community to Victorian and Australian levels of government, service providers and the business sector.

8.12 Foster local and regional partnerships with individuals, community groups, businesses, service providers, agencies and all levels of government.

Priority Action 2024-2025:

Advocate on key local issues on behalf of the Maroondah community, including in the lead up to the Australian and Victorian Government elections in 2024/25 and 2026/27.

Background

The MAV’s State Council Meeting will be held on Friday 16 May 2025. The five (5) proposed motions are viewed as being of significance across the Victorian Local Government sector and therefore of importance for debate and consideration by the State Council Meeting.

The Municipal Association of Victoria together with local members of Parliament provides significant advocacy to the Victorian Government on behalf of Maroondah residents and ratepayers.

As has become common practice, Council Officers will confirm support from MAV Eastern Regional Group of Councils.

The closing date for submitting motions is midnight Monday 17 March 2025.

Issue / discussion

The motion and rationale for each of the five (5) motions are identified below:

Motion 1: Negative Impacts of Waste Service Standards on Local Government

Motion

That the MAV calls upon the Victorian Government to review and amend the new waste service standards to mitigate the negative impacts on local governments. Specifically, that the MAV advocates for:

1. Opposing the removal of the compostable caddy liners from food and organics (FOGO) collection services, recognising that liners are essential for maintaining community participation and hygiene in food waste recycling.

2. The separate glass recycling bin requirement no longer be mandated, given the successful Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) already diverts most glass, making a fourth bin costly, inefficient, and largely redundant.

3. Provision for adequate funding and resources to Councils to implement the new standards without placing undue financial burden on ratepayers. This could come in the form of the State Waste Levy, which is projected to increase by 30% over the next four years, generating an estimated $1.8 billion in revenue for the Victorian Government.

4. A delay in implementing the State’s new household waste service standards, urging the Victorian Government to provide councils with greater flexibility and an extended timeline to roll out service changes at a practical pace.

5. Promotion of sustainable waste management practices that are economically viable and environmentally sound, ensuring long-term benefits for the community.

Rationale

The mandated rollout of a separate glass bin and removal of compostable caddy liners in Victoria are causing unnecessary financial and logistical burdens on councils and residents. The state's Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) is already achieving high glass recovery rates, making an additional kerbside bin redundant and costly. Banning compostable caddy liners could undermine food and organics recycling, leading to higher contamination and landfill rates.

Councils require more flexibility in implementing service standards to suit their unique circumstances. A delayed and flexible approach to service standards, the retention of caddy liners, and the reconsideration of the separate glass bin rollout are needed for efficient waste solutions that minimise costs and maximise environmental benefits.

Compostable kitchen caddy liners are crucial for the success of food and organics collection programs. Over 80% of Victorian councils with food organics programs allow compostable liners, which increase the amount of food waste diverted from landfill by more than 30%. Removing liners could increase contamination rates by 10%.

Victoria's newly introduced CDS has proven to be an efficient method for recovering glass containers. Expanding the CDS to include wine and spirit bottles would capture even more glass without imposing new kerbside services. Using the existing CDS infrastructure also avoids extra truck routes, lowering transport emissions compared to a separate glass pickup.

The new standards could negatively impact local government operations, including increased costs, resource allocation challenges, and potential disruptions to existing waste management services. The Victorian Government enforced bin lid colour changes will result in substantial strain on bin manufacturers, causing significant financial and environmental costs.

A delayed and more flexible implementation schedule is required to allow each council to transition to the required services in a cost-effective manner. This would minimise financial strain and service disruptions, allowing councils to phase in new services gradually. It would also provide more time to assess the success of CDS, enabling a more informed position on the requirement for a separate glass service.

The Victorian Government must reconsider its position on the speed and method of introducing these changes. It should aim to place less financial burden on the community, achieve better environmental outcomes, and understand the current arrangements and their success before proposing any changes.

Relationship to the MAV Strategic Plan

Priority 4: Sustainable Economy

We will work with the local government sector to design and support practices that facilitate long-term economic growth without negatively impacting the social, environmental and cultural aspects of the community. To do this, we will explore diverse strategies for achieving economic growth that strengthen local industries and improve circular economy performance. We will prioritise working with councils to enable the right conditions for creative and entrepreneurial thinking to meet future challenges and needs.

Motion 2: Administrative Burden on Local Governments of the revised Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF)

Motion

That the MAV calls on the Victorian Government to:

1. Delay the implementation of the Principal Place of Residence (PPR) obligation under the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) beyond 1 July 2026, to allow for a more practical, cost-effective and consistent approach to verifying ratepayer residency status.

2. Fully fund any system changes, administrative costs and community communication efforts required for councils to implement the new ESVF and the associated PPR requirement, ensuring that no unfunded burden is placed on councils or ratepayers for a State Government tax measure.

3. Explore alternative approaches to administering PPR verification, such as utilising existing State Government data (e.g. from the State Revenue Office or Valuer-General) to reduce duplication and inefficiency in council-led assessments.

Rationale

On Friday 13 December 2024, the Victorian Government announced the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) will be replaced with the new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) from 1 July 2025.

A key new requirement comes into effect from 1 July 2026, requiring councils to assess and verify whether each residential property is an owner-occupied Principal Place of Residence (PPR). Those that are not classified as a PPR will be subject to a higher non-residential levy, meaning councils must update ratepayer classifications, process PPR declarations potentially, and undertake some form of compliance checks.

Currently, Councils do not maintain PPR classifications within their rating systems, meaning significant IT system changes will be required to track and differentiate properties. New procedures developed to allow ratepayers to declare their principal residence status, with councils responsible for assessing, verifying, and updating records. This will involve major effort, requiring additional staff time, compliance workflows, and potential challenges in clarifying with ratepayers.

Whilst the costs of implementing this system enhancements remain unclear, financial support will be required to cover the full cost of implementation, as well as ongoing increased licensing costs. Generally, all 79 councils will require some form of system modification and/or procedure considerations to:

- Modify IT rating systems to store and apply PPR classifications

- Develop and administer a new PPR declaration process for ratepayers

- Manage community communication to explain the changes to ratepayers, including the significant uplift in the charge itself

- Handle appeals/disputes/debt collection.

A delay in the 1 July 2026 implementation component, would be practical and allow councils to consider the change appropriately and better test the PPR verification processes in a cost-effective manner.

As well as this, full State Government funding to cover system upgrades, staffing costs, and public communication efforts associated with the change is required.

Lastly, a more efficient verification process, such as utilising existing State Government data sources (e.g. from the State Revenue Office, Australian Electoral Commission, or Valuer-General) to minimise duplication and avoid placing councils in the role of tax compliance administrators.

By supporting this motion, the MAV can advocate for a fairer, more practical process to manage the PPR classification under ESVF, ensuring councils are not unfairly burdened with an underfunded and administrative complex requirement.

Relationship to the MAV Strategic Plan

Priority 4: Sustainable Economy

Motion 3: Victorian Electoral Processes for Retired Candidates

Motion

That the MAV calls on the Victorian Government to ensure the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) fully complete the process of reviewing nominated candidate eligibility prior to the commencement of printing ballot papers in future local government elections.

Rationale

During the 2024 Local Government Elections, the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) coordinated the full electoral process.

As part of the review of candidate eligibility process following the close of nominations, the VEC advised that 16 local council election candidates across the 79 Councils were ‘retired’ after being found ineligible to nominate, including one in Maroondah. These retirements largely resulted from candidates who did not complete their compulsory training as declared in their nominations. It is a legislative requirement for candidates to complete this training in the two (2) years before election day, in order to be able to nominate.

As candidate retirement through this VEC process occurred after ballot papers had been printed for 12 of these 16 candidates, they could not be changed to remove the retired candidates. This resulted in 12 ‘retired’ candidates appearing on ballot papers across the State mailed out to residents. When counting votes for these local government elections, votes for retired candidates were reallocated to other candidates according to voters' preferences.

This situation raises concerns regarding the timing of the VEC review of eligibility process for nominated candidates. It is essential that the VEC process relating to candidate eligibility be conducted and completed prior to the commencement of ballot paper printing in order to ensure the accuracy and transparency of the voting practices. The listing of retired candidates on ballot paper has the potential to cause confusion and shifts in voter behaviour.

Adhering to good governance practices, the VEC could potentially request that nominated candidates provide a certificate confirming their completion of the mandatory training outlined in the Local Government Act 2020 and Local Government (Electoral) Regulations 2020.

By implementing these measures, the VEC can uphold the principles of good governance and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.

Relationship to the MAV Strategic Plan

Priority 1: Active local democracy

We will work with local government and other levels of government to ensure that local policies reflect the needs and preferences of local communities. Effective local democracy can facilitate public participation, improve service delivery, strengthen communities, and improve development outcomes.

Motion 4: Victorian Maternal and Child Health Services Dad Groups - DadsConnect

Motion

That the MAV calls on the Victorian Government to urgently provide full funding to all Maternal and Child Health services for Dad groups, to support family violence prevention and address the vulnerability of dads transitioning to parenthood and support healthy family relationships.

Rationale

Dads are generically included in the MCH target group, but there is a significant gap in funded programs to meet their needs and contribute to addressing prevention of family violence. The Victorian government is asked to commit funding for Dad Groups to support healthy family relationships, parenting confidence, with priority for new dads and father figures.

The Victorian government funds the Maternal and Child Health Service (MCH), a free universal primary health service all Victorian families with children from birth to school age. Currently funded or co-funded programs include:

· Key Age and Stage

· Sleep and Settling

· Lactation support

· Enhanced service

· Supported Playgroups

· First-time Parents groups

MCH nurses are reporting increased disclosures of family violence; problematic gambling and alcohol and other drug use; unemployment; isolation; mental health challenges; homelessness; relationship and family dysfunction; and, unreasonable wait times for vital services.

One in four (1:4) women are experiencing family violence and the person using violence is usually male. One (1) woman is killed as a result of family violence every seven (7) days, usually by a male.

In 2018–19, 35 women were killed by an intimate partner (all but one a male intimate partner).

A child or children were present at 29.8% or 26,284 family violence incidents [attended by police] occurring in Victoria between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020. Source: Family violence statistics | Safe and Equal Melbourne’s outer east: In 2023 the average age of the youngest child at time of first disclosure of family violence was two (2) years of age. By 2024 this had dropped to just over one (1) year of age. Source: Specialist service reports: Eastern Community Legal Centre

Dads need to feel safe to: talk openly, disclose true feelings and struggles and discuss parenting and doing so with peers increase the likelihood of personal growth, new skills, and confidence to use in the parent relationship.

Funding should consider the target group needs to meet out of business hours and specialised skills of group facilitator with MCH nurse.

Relationship to the MAV Strategic Plan

Priority 8: Diversity, equity, and inclusion

We will collaborate with local governments, partner organisations, and communities to craft policies and initiatives that enhance representation and participation across diverse groups. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) spans various ages, races, ethnicities, abilities, genders, religions, cultures, and the LGBTIQA+ community, ensuring a broad spectrum of perspectives and experiences are valued and integrated.

Motion 5: Reinstate FReeZA Program Funding

Motion

That the Victorian government urgently reconsiders funding for, and inequity of distribution of, FReeZA programs across Victorian Councils and Victorian young people. The 20-years history demonstrates the significant impact of programs on the leadership, skills development, capacity building and engagement of young people through participation in programs and more broadly through engagement in the resulting events.

Rationale

Councils across Victoria have expressed disappointment that most of the 2024 applications for Victorian funding for FReeZA were unsuccessful. In many regions, including the Eastern Metropolitan Region no applications were successful, leaving no resources for collaboration across the region, let alone in local government areas. Some regions received multiple grants.

For over 20 years many Councils have received FReeZA funding, supporting the delivery of a variety of activities and events that young people have planned and delivered to their peers and the wider community. The program has had significant, positive impact on young people’s skills development, social connection, capacity building and access to events to showcase local talent and encourage participation of young people in the community either as participants of FReeZA programs and/or event attendees. The failure of the Victorian Government to fund FReeZA in the eastern metropolitan region will have a significant impact on young people’s access to safe, fully supervised drug, alcohol, and smoke-free events. The impact on leadership and skill development through participation in the FReeZA committee will also be significant.

Over the 20-year history of FReeZA, funding has been allocated annually by calendar year. The application process by calendar year has resulted in the typical experience of Councils having funding renewed annually. Maroondah received $34,561 in funding to deliver the FReeZA program during the 2024 calendar year. Planning for 2025 had begun by many young people in Council’s who receive FReeZA funding. In mid-December 2024, the outcome of applications for FReeZA funding for programs from 1 January 2025 were announced.

The Victorian government is urgently requested to reconsider the effective cessation of FReeZA funding for Councils across Victoria and young people across Victoria.

Councils understand the financial pressures on the Victorian government. If funding for individual Councils is not possible, at minimum, Councils should be allocated adequate funding to develop sub regional initiatives that will enable ongoing provision of FReeZA programs, albeit on a smaller / sub regional level. Eastern Metropolitan Region Local Councils have indicated a willingness to explore collaborative approaches for the provision of FReeZA, should regional level funding be made available.

Relationship to the MAV Strategic Plan

Priority 5: Future Gen

We will embrace FutureGen, a movement to improve lives in the present, the future, and for years to come. By collaborating with young people and the local government sector, we will drive long term change for future generations. These changes will encompass a wide range of initiatives, mobilising people from all backgrounds to reshape our ways of living, working, and future planning.

Financial / economic issues

Refer to rationale as highlighted under Issue / Discussion

Environmental / amenity issues

Refer to rationale as highlighted under Issue / Discussion.

Social / community issues

Refer to rationale as highlighted under Issue / Discussion.

Community consultation

Not applicable

Conclusion

Council endorses the proposed motions as they each have state-wide significance throughout the local government sector and therefore warrant discussion at the next MAV State Council Meeting in May 2025.

Attachments

Not applicable

CONFIDENTIALITY

Not applicable

RECOMMENDATION

THAT COUNCIL ENDORSE SUBMITTING THE FOLLOWING FIVE (5) MOTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA MAY 2025 STATE COUNCIL MEETING

1. NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF WASTE SERVICE STANDARDS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

MOTION: THAT THE MAV CALLS UPON THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW AND AMEND THE NEW WASTE SERVICE STANDARDS TO MITIGATE THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. SPECIFICALLY, THAT THE MAV ADVOCATES FOR:

1. OPPOSING THE REMOVAL OF THE COMPOSTABLE CADDY LINERS FROM FOOD AND ORGANICS (FOGO) COLLECTION SERVICES, RECOGNISING THAT LINERS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR MAINTAINING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND HYGIENE IN FOOD WASTE RECYCLING

2. THE SEPARATE GLASS RECYCLING BIN REQUIREMENT NO LONGER BE MANDATED, GIVEN THE SUCCESSFUL CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME (CDS) ALREADY DIVERTS MOST GLASS, MAKING A FOURTH BIN COSTLY, INEFFICIENT, AND LARGELY REDUNDANT

3. PROVISION FOR ADEQUATE FUNDING AND RESOURCES TO COUNCILS TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW STANDARDS WITHOUT PLACING UNDUE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON RATEPAYERS. THIS COULD COME IN THE FORM OF THE STATE WASTE LEVY, WHICH IS PROJECTED TO INCREASE BY 30% OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, GENERATING AN ESTIMATED $1.8 BILLION IN REVENUE FOR THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT

4. A DELAY IN IMPLEMENTING THE STATE’S NEW HOUSEHOLD WASTE SERVICE STANDARDS, URGING THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE COUNCILS WITH GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND AN EXTENDED TIMELINE TO ROLL OUT SERVICE CHANGES AT A PRACTICAL PACE.

5. PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT ARE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND, ENSURING LONG-TERM BENEFITS FOR THE COMMUNITY

2. administrative burden on local governments of the revised emergency services and volunteers fund (ESVF)

MOTION: THAT THE MAV CALLS ON THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TO:

1. DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRINCIPAL PLACE OF RESIDENCE (PPR) OBLIGATION UNDER THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND VOLUNTEERS FUND (ESVF) BEYOND 1 JULY 2026, TO ALLOW FOR A MORE PRACTICAL, COST-EFFECTIVE AND CONSISTENT APPROACH TO VERIFYING RATEPAYER RESIDENCY STATUS

2. FULLY FUND ANY SYSTEM CHANGES, ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND COMMUNITY COMMUNICATION EFFORTS REQUIRED FOR COUNCILS TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW ESVF AND THE ASSOCIATED PPR REQUIREMENT, ENSURING THAT NO UNFUNDED BURDEN IS PLACED ON COUNCILS OR RATEPAYERS FOR A STATE GOVERNMENT TAX MEASURE

3. EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO ADMINISTERING PPR VERIFICATION, SUCH AS UTILISING EXISTING STATE GOVERNMENT DATA (E.G. FROM THE STATE REVENUE OFFICE OR VALUER-GENERAL) TO REDUCE DUPLICATION AND INEFFICIENCY IN COUNCIL-LED ASSESSMENTS

3. vICTORIAN ELECTORAL PROCESSES FOR RETIRED CANDIDATES

MOTION: That the MAV calls on the Victorian Government to ensure the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) fully complete the process of reviewing nominated candidate eligibility prior to the commencement of printing ballot papers in future local government elections

4. MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES DAD GROUPS - DADSCONNECT

MOTION: That the MAV calls on the Victorian Government to urgently provide full funding to all Maternal and Child Health services for Dad groups, to support family violence prevention and address the vulnerability of dads transitioning to parenthood and support healthy family relationships

5. reinstate freeza program funding

MOTION: That the Victorian government urgently reconsiders funding for, and inequity of distribution of, FReeZA programs across Victorian Councils and Victorian young people. The 20-years history demonstrates the significant impact of programs on the leadership, skills development, capacity building and engagement of young people through participation in programs and more broadly through engagement in the resulting events


Chief Financial Officer – Tony Rocca
2025 ALGA National General Assembly - Motion	Item 4

Purpose

To consider motions for submission to the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly of Local Government.

Strategic / policy issues

The following directions contained in Maroondah 2040: Our Future Together and the Council Plan 2021-2025 (Year 4: 2024-2025) provide the strategic framework that underpins the purpose of this report.

Outcome Area: A well governed and empowered community

Key Directions 2021 – 2025:

8.1 Provide community inspired governance that is transparent, accessible, inclusive and accountable.

Background

The 31^st Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly of Local Government is being held in Canberra from 25 to 27 June 2025.

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) together with local members of parliament provide significant advocacy to the Federal Government on behalf of Maroondah residents and ratepayers.

The theme for the 2025 National General Assembly is ‘National Priorities Need Local Solutions’. The Assembly provides elected representatives the opportunity to engage with the Federal Government and key Ministers, allowing them the opportunity to vote on proposed motions affecting local governments nationally. There are twelve priority areas for this Assembly, including ‘circular economy’ which is the focus of this proposed motion.

The proposed motion is considered of national significance, particularly considering continued funding and financial pressures faced by the local government sector across Australia in the current financial climate. Whilst also obligated to roll out new waste policies that intersect with existing options.

Issue / discussion

Maroondah City Council supports the federal election funding priorities for councils identified by the Australian Local Government Association, which are:

· $1.1billion per year for enabling infrastructure to unlock housing supply

· $500 million per year for community infrastructure

· $600 million per year for safer local roads

· $900 million per year for increased local government emergency management capability and capacity, and

· $400 million per year for climate adaptation

These new federal funding programs deliver should be distributed across all councils through a formula basis which would ensure all Australian communities benefit and allow councils to deliver place based initiatives that meet their local communities needs.

In addition, the following motion is proposed to be submitted for consideration at the 2025 ALGA National General Assembly:

Proposed Motion:

National Standardisation and Expansion of the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS)

That this National General Assembly calls upon the Federal Government to:

a. Lead the development of a nationally consistent Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) - in collaboration with all states and territories - to harmonise regulations, refund values, and operations across Australia, creating a uniform approach to container recycling; and

b. Ensure that the National CDS is to include all glass beverage containers such as wine and spirit bottles. Whilst exploring the expansion of the scheme to include glass jars used for food - thereby ensuring these containers are covered by deposit/refund incentives for recycling.

National Objective:

This motion aligns with the objectives of Australia’s National Waste Policy Action Plan 2019 and the 2025 National Packaging Targets. By advocating for a nationally standardised and expanded CDS, local government is directly supporting Australia’s waste reduction and circular economy objectives, while reducing costs and environmental impacts for councils and communities.

Summary of Key Rationale:

Currently, Australia’s CDS vary by jurisdiction, leading to inconsistencies in eligible containers and refund systems. As well as this, Victoria looking to impose a separate system for glass.

Many state schemes exclude wine and spirit bottles from refunds, creating confusion for consumers and industry. A nationally standardised CDS would eliminate this patchwork of rules, making it easier for manufacturers to use one label and system nationwide and simpler for the public to participate. ALGA has previously advocated for harmonisation of product stewardship programs like container deposit schemes to improve economic and environmental outcomes. Federal leadership in standardising the CDS would ensure every Australian state and territory operates under the same guidelines, improving efficiency and alignment of recycling efforts.

Victoria is currently rolling out a four-stream system, requiring councils to introduce a separate glass collection bin. The glass only bin service duplicates the CDS collection system for glass packaging collection and recycling and is costly for local governments and households, requiring new bins, separate collection trucks, and additional processing facilities. The introduction of a nationally standardised and expanded CDS covering all glass beverage and food containers would remove the need for a separate kerbside glass collection service, as residents could instead return glass containers for refunds, significantly reducing the volume of glass in kerbside recycling.

A CDS expansion would reduce local government waste management costs, as less glass would be collected via kerbside recycling, and less glass packaging would be littered in parks and open spaces.

A national CDS with expanded coverage would generate economic opportunities and community benefits. Since their introduction, container refund schemes have returned hundreds of millions of dollars to the community and created new jobs in recycling and resource recovery. For instance, over 6.4 billion containers have been recycled through Queensland’s CDS since 2018, returning $630 million to residents and creating 815 jobs in the process. Including wine bottles and potentially jars through an expanded scheme will build on this success by capturing higher-value glass for manufacturing, potentially unlocking tens of millions of dollars in additional economic value nationally (South Australia alone anticipates a $76 million annual net benefit from including wine and spirit bottles).

Charities, schools, and community groups across Australia also stand to gain - many already collect containers to raise funds, and a broader range of opportunities and community engagement in recycling. A consistent Australia-wide scheme ensures these benefits are spread equitably across all regions, including rural and remote areas.

In summary, a nationally standardised Container Deposit Scheme with expanded coverage to all glass beverage and food containers would deliver significant environmental, economic, and social dividends. It would simplify recycling for consumers, dramatically increase recycling rates, reduce litter and landfill waste, make the need for a fourth bin redundant, and save costs for local communities. By adopting this motion, local governments affirm their commitment to waste reduction and resource recovery and call on the Federal Government to work collaboratively with states and territories to make a comprehensive national CDS a reality. This collective action will help Australia achieve higher recycling targets, cleaner environments, and a stronger circular economy for the benefit of all Australians.

Financial / economic issues

Refer to rationale as highlighted under Issue / Discussion.

Environmental / amenity issues

Refer to rationale as highlighted under Issue / Discussion.

Social / community issues

Refer to rationale as highlighted under Issue / Discussion.

Community consultation

Council, through various forums, consultation, and strategies, has engaged the Maroondah community regarding these various issues. This Report further demonstrates Council’s preparedness to advocate to the Commonwealth Government on behalf of Maroondah residents on an issue which affects the local government sector nation-wide.

Conclusion

The proposed motion has national significance throughout the Local Government sector and therefore warrants consideration, discussion and determination at the 2025 ALGA National General Assembly. Closing date for the receipt of motions is 31 March 2025.

Attachments

Not applicable

CONFIDENTIALITY

Not applicable

RECOMMENDATION

THAT COUNCIL SUBMITs THE FOLLOWING MOTION FOR CONSIDERATION AND DEBATE AT THE 2025 AUSTRALIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION NATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT:

Motion: National Standardisation and Expansion of the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS)

That this National General Assembly calls upon the Federal Government to:


Chief Financial Officer – Tony Rocca
Glass Only Service Advocacy Position	Item 5

Purpose

To present Council’s advocacy position regarding the Victorian Government requirement for Local Councils to provide a household kerbside glass only bin service by 1 July 2027.

Strategic / policy issues

The following directions contained in Maroondah 2040: Our Future Together and the Council Plan 2021-2025 (Year 4: 2024-2025) provide the strategic framework that underpins the purpose of this report.

Outcome Area: A clean, green, and sustainable community

Our Vision: In 2040, Maroondah will be a resilient community committed to sustainable living, enhancing our natural environment, and providing leadership in responding to climate change.

Key Directions 2021 – 2025:

4.1 Create and foster a culture within our community that is committed to the sustainable use of natural resources.

4.2 Provide leadership and build community capacity to reuse, recycle and repurpose resources to minimise consumption and waste.

Priority Action 2024-2025:

Develop and implement Council’s Waste, Litter and Resource Recovery Strategy 2020-2030

Background

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change (DEECA) have issued a set of draft regulations for public feedback, under the auspices the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021 (the Act). These draft regulations define the timeline for Councils to implement the four-bin waste and recycling service and establishes a service standard for the provision of these services.

Additionally, the draft includes a proposed start date of 1 July 2027 for Councils to deliver on all requirements of the kerbside reforms, including:

· implementation of the new glass only bin service,

· the standardisation of bin lids,

· standardisation of bin contents, and

The regulation also includes compliance and enforcement provisions for penalties and audits as per the Act.

Issue / discussion

Maroondah Council, in collaboration with 22 other Victorian Local Governments, undertook independent modelling and research which compared actual Council data, against the financial assumptions in the Regulatory Impact Statement which informs the regulations and service standards. This research found that there are limited benefits for a glass only service, in comparison to the implementation costs for local government.

The group of Councils participating in the advocacy to the Victorian Government has now grown to include 29 Local Governments. Each Council participating in the group will aim to formalise their positions to release a joint media statement.

Council’s advocacy position is to continue to advocate to the Victorian Government to delay the implementation date for the glass only bin, to allow time to consider the impacts of:

· the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) on glass tonnages and the need to capture remaining glass versus expanding CDS

· national standards for kerbside services

· nationally aligned CDS expanded to include wine and spirit bottles, and to

· allow the state time to consider our research findings and how we can work together to minimise the cost imposition on our community

Financial / economic issues

The research and modelling undertaken found that the cost to provide a glass only service was underestimated by $2.6 million dollars and the entire reform costs was found to be underestimated by $5 million dollars, per Council.

Glass bottle recycling already occurs in Maroondah, and we have process controls in place to reduce the potential for glass embedment in other materials, such as low compaction rates.

The research project included interviews with industry who are not finding that separate glass services are resulting in other commodity price increases (e.g. for paper/cardboard), which is a key assumption of the Victorian Government’s financial assessment of the net benefits of a glass only bin service. In fact, material recover facilities will continue to receive commingled recycling from other contracts not subject to the kerbside reforms, and separated glass will still need to be sorted to remove contamination, so there’s no savings from a processing gate fee perspective (another key assumption that justifies the ‘net benefit’ the RIS claims Councils will receive).

Combined, it will cost Council over $5 million dollars to deliver the new service, with an ongoing collection cost for households of an additional $27 per year. The potential funding offered by the Victorian Government as it currently stands, would cover less than 10% of these costs.

Expanding the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) to include wine and spirit bottles would have similar circularity benefits to the glass only bin service, and be funded by the producers of the packaging, rather than local communities.

Environmental / amenity issues

Reducing waste to landfill is a priority action in Council’s Waste, Litter & Resource Recovery Strategy 2020-2030. Rolling out of the Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) service in 2023 has seen landfill tonnages decline steadily, with per household generation rates reducing from 425 kg of landfill waste in 2021-22 financial year, to 384 kg in 2022-23. This represents over 2,000 tonnes of organics being diverted from landfill each year.

Comparatively, there is very little opportunity to reduce waste to landfill from introducing a glass only bin service. At most, the average Council has a 2% loss rate for glass entering landfill rather than going into the mixed recycling service. This equates to 60 tonnes per annum of glass potentially going into landfill, however, it's unclear if introducing a glass only bin would then change this behaviour. The potential ‘savings’ from increasing glass recovery rates would either way be negligible, particularly in comparison to the ongoing servicing costs.

Social / community issues

The glass only bin service poses amenity, logistic and servicing issues which may negatively impact on the community, for instance:

· Lack of presentation and storage space for bins in multi-unit dwellings and high-density areas

· Misuse of the bins for general waste (due to most households not creating much glass waste) resulting in contamination penalties

· Potential to increase the mixed recycling contamination rate by removing glass (due to glass being the heaviest material, removing it will make the portion of contamination, by weight, increase)

· Increased truck movements in residential roads

· Having additional bins presented for collection negatively impacts on street amenity

Community consultation

The Victorian Government has not consulted on the need for a glass only service, nor released the business case for the glass only service. This makes it difficult for Council to justify the cost imposition and communicate the need for the service to our community.

Conclusion

While the Victorian Government's initiative to implement a kerbside glass-only bin service by 1 July 2027 aims to enhance recycling efforts, the research and modelling conducted by Maroondah and its partnering Councils reveal significant financial and logistical challenges. The estimated costs for implementing the service are substantially higher than initially projected, with limited environmental benefits in comparison to the existing recycling processes. Furthermore, the lack of community consultation and the potential negative impacts on amenity and logistics underscore the need for a more considered approach.

Therefore, it is recommended that Council continues to advocate for a delay in the implementation date to allow for a thorough assessment of the impacts of the Container Deposit Scheme, national standards for kerbside services, and the potential for expanded CDS to include wine and spirit bottles. This approach will ensure that the community's interests are safeguarded, and the financial burden on local governments and its communities are minimised.

Attachments

1.	Glass Recycling Bin Service Joint Media Statement

CONFIDENTIALITY

Not applicable

RECOMMENDATION

That Council

1. consider and approve the advocacy position outlined; and

2. approve the joint media statement to be released in conjunction with the joint group of councils

Realm	179 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood, 3134
Postal	PO Box 156, Ringwood 3134 DX 38068, Ringwood
Telephone	1300 88 22 33
Facsimile Email Web Service Centres	Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS): 131 450 National Relay Service (NRS): 133 677 (03) 9298 4345 maroondah@maroondah.vic.gov.au www.maroondah.vic.gov.au Croydon: Civic Square, Croydon 3136 Realm: 179 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood 3134


Chief Financial Officer – Tony Rocca
Attendance Report	Item 1


Chief Financial Officer – Tony Rocca
Reports of Councillor Briefings	Item 2

1.	2025 February 17 - Councillor Briefing Public Record
2.	2025 March 03 - Councillor Briefing Public Record