Organic waste the first case for Noosa's Community Jury

What is the best option for minimising organic waste sent to landfill?

That’s the question Noosa’s community jury will consider when it meets in February for the first time.

As Councillors signed off on the jury topic last night, newDemocracy Foundation confirmed the jury’s 24 members had been selected.

Mayor Noel Playford said there are a number of different options for dealing with organic waste and each comes at a different price.

“That is why we wanted to involve the community in the decision-making process,” he said.

Organic waste is a major issue for the shire as it represents up to 60 per cent of typical household waste and 40 per cent of landfill.

Organic waste includes both garden waste and food waste, which consists of fruit, vegetable and meat waste.

Organic waste is a major problem because it takes up considerable landfill space and produces a significant amount of greenhouse gas. Organic waste in the landfill produces 70 per cent of Council’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“The State Government’s Draft Waste and Recycling Strategy for Queensland 2014 – 2024 sets a target for local government to increase its diversion of domestic waste from landfill from the current 33 per cent to 45 per cent. Diverting and recycling organic waste is an effective means of achieving this target,” Wayne Schafer, Waste and Environmental Health Manager said.

“It makes sense to isolate organic waste so that it can be recycled effectively. “

Reducing organic waste to landfill will minimise Council’s exposure to any costly future government taxes or levies relating to emissions and the amount of waste sent to landfill.

The 24 Noosa residents that make up the jury will commence deliberations in a full day sitting on Saturday February 7. Thereafter they will meet one evening per month.

19 December 2014