By Chris Thomson | posted on March 2, 2018
A NEW law that gives officials the power to fine residents $350 if they toss recyclable waste into their general waste or organic waste bins was unanimously approved at a meeting of Albany city councillors on Tuesday night.
As recently revealed by The Weekender (‘Rubbish mix-up could be costly’, February 15), ratepayers may now also be fined $350 if they place general waste in a recycling or organic waste bin, or organic waste in a general or recycling bin.
In a report to the councillors, the city’s manager for governance and risk, Stuart Jamieson, defined recyclable waste as paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, steel and aluminium containers, liquid paperboard and any other waste determined by the city to be recyclable.
On November 22, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation consented to a draft of the local law.
Mr Jamieson advised that the law would need to go back to the department’s CEO for consideration if Albany’s elected officials suggested even minor changes.
If major changes had been requested, city officials would have needed to start the legislative drafting process over again.
He noted that “negative community feedback” could be a major consequence if the city failed to communicate and justify the new law adequately to residents.
The local law is based on a model prepared by the department and the WA Local Government Association.
The law also makes it legal, for commercial operators to pick up waste from verge collections.
On Tuesday night, Cr Sandie Smith said she was “really pleased” to support that part of the law.
“It’s a really good example of council listening to residents,” she said.
