Councils from across Australia are on the Mid North Coast this week to learn about the latest in waste management at the Waste 2025 conference at Opal Cove Resort.
The conference was opened this morning by City of Coffs Harbour Mayor, Nikki Williams and will feature more than 110 presenters over the three-day event.
“Waste management is everyone’s business and we are striving for not only best practice, but to be creative in identifying and implementing the most effective systems for our community and our treasured local environment,” Mayor Williams said.
More than 70 Councils are represented at the annual waste conference in Coffs Harbour, which has been running since 1996.
“The City has been on the front foot on waste management with the development of the strategy, and the rollout of the Coffs Coast Waste app which makes it easy for residents to know when to put their bins out, and what can be placed in each bin,” Mayor Williams said.
City Infrastructure Acting Director, Daniel Noble said the City was adopting a flexible and considered approach as the Englands Road landfill nears end-of-life capacity, while key waste processing contracts conclude in 2027.
“We continue to investigate waste management options in the Local Government Area while also exploring regional solutions that could assist with creating economies of scale for waste management,” Mr Noble said.
“It’s a dynamic industry with new thinking and technologies coming into play.
“At the heart of our new strategy is a push toward minimising waste in the first instance, and then a ‘circular economy’ where materials are reused, refurbished, recycled or composted.”
Mayor Williams noted the advantages of working with neighbouring councils to find solutions to challenges shared.
“The City has been working with Nambucca Valley and Bellingen Shire Councils since 2005. That collaborative approach saw the formation of Coffs Coast Waste Services and helped to drive the new app for residents,” she said.
“This week’s waste conference will further identify some of the latest thinking and products in the field.”
The conference schedule includes keynote addresses by Australian Council of Recycling CEO, Suzanne Toumbourou; NSW Environment Protection Authority CEO, Tony Chappel; celebrity gardener, Costa Georgiadis and NSW Environment Minister, Penny Sharpe.
Workshops will tackle everything from illegal dumping and problem waste through to energy from waste and equipment and technology.
