By Chris Thomson | posted on February 15, 2018
ALBANY residents face the spectre of a $350 fine if they toss recyclable waste into their general waste or organic waste bins.
Under a draft local law set to be considered by a City of Albany committee last night, ratepayers could 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 drafted by the city’s manager for governance and risk, Stuart Jamieson, recyclable waste is defined as paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, steel and aluminium containers, liquid paper board and any other waste determined by the city to be recyclable.
On November 22, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation consented to the draft law.
Mr Jamieson has advised the committee that the law will need to go back to the department’s CEO for consideration if city councillors make even minor changes.
If major changes are requested by the councillors, city officials will need to start the legislative drafting process over again.
Mr Jamieson foresees the city may favour education over “other enforcement options” when administering the law, but only if it is in the public interest and if education is likely to achieve compliance. He advises that factors to be considered when deciding what is in the public interest will vary from case to case.
He notes that “negative community feedback” could be a major consequence for the city if it fails 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.
If endorsed by the committee, the draft law will advance for approval of the full city council which next meets on Monday.