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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-03-24 Daily Xml
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ZERO WASTE FOOD TRIAL

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:53): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question about state-local government relations.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: In January 2008, the government invited councils to participate in a Zero Waste food trial. In February 2009, the government launched an attack on the councils participating in their own trial. Campbelltown city council has since abandoned its fortnightly rubbish bin collection trial after criticism from the state government. In an Advertiser report headed 'Dumped on from a great height', Campbelltown mayor Simon Brewer is reported as saying that the council had signed onto the scheme 'in good faith' but was now backing away because it was left 'unsupported' by the government. Mr Brewer was reported as saying:

My council understands the waste problems and saw this as an opportunity to help the government achieve their clearly stated goal of reducing waste to landfill. Unfortunately, we were then left unsupported by the government and have largely worn their criticism.

Mr Brewer highlighted the fact that, if the state government wants to pursue objectives, it needs to support it wholeheartedly and unreservedly. My questions are:

1. Given the minister's responsibility to nurture healthy relations between state and local governments, has she had discussions with Campbelltown city council and the Local Government Association in relation to the trial experience?

2. What steps has she taken to ensure that the state government does not continue to use local government as a whipping boy for its own initiatives?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (14:54): I have answered this question previously in this council. The honourable member has failed to understand that the food waste pilot falls under the responsibility of the Minister for Environment and Conservation. The contract and arrangements that councils have entered into are with another minister, and it would be most improper for me to interfere in those areas. The frequency of waste collection is a matter for local councils to decide and involves consideration of a number of elements, including weather conditions and hygiene, etc. Councils should also consider the views of their ratepayers, and it is the responsibility of local government to do that. It is an important responsibility but, as I said, it is not my responsibility, and it would be most improper and out of place for me to interfere in the responsibilities and duties of other levels of government. Just as state government does not respond well in terms of interference, neither would local government.

It is important to remind members that councils were not forced to take part in the trials offered; indeed, councils themselves decided whether or not they would participate. It was a voluntary matter, and I believe that should be emphasised: councils were not forced into it. I have put on record in this place before that, given it was a trial, I think it was absolutely appropriate that they take into consideration the feedback from all relevant stakeholders.

I have a great deal of confidence in local councils. They are a marvellous level of government and provide incredible value to their communities. They are made up of truly remarkable people, many working way beyond the call of duty; in effect, many are volunteers who are not paid for the work they do. It is a quite remarkable contribution to the South Australian community and I would not want to say anything that would undermine that. However, and as I emphasised previously, this was a trial that councils entered into in a voluntary way. I understand that negotiations have occurred in relation to modifications of the original arrangements, which I was pleased to see, and all is well with the world.

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