South Australian Waste Strategy

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:48): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Will the minister inform the chamber about the review of the South Australian Waste Strategy 2011-2015?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:48): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. We have, in South Australia, every reason to be proud of our track record in terms of waste management and reduction in waste. South Australia has reduced the amount of waste to landfill by nearly 20 per cent in 2002 to 2013. We have also achieved a resource recovery rate of more than 77 per cent.

This state is recognised as a leader in recycling and resource management. We were the first place in Australia to ban plastic shopping bags from supermarket checkouts in 2009, thanks to the heroic efforts of my leader, minister Gago. As a result, around 30 million bags per month are diverted from ending up in landfill and in our waterways.

We have less litter by number of items and overall volume than the national average. Thanks to our innovative container deposit scheme, 594 million containers—that's 594 million—representing approximately 43,200 tonnes, were returned for recycling and diverted from landfill in 2013.

One of the reasons for our success is that we have tackled the issue of waste reduction from many different angles. Zero Waste SA has played an important role in this strategy and has established a reputation for delivering innovative, effective and well-targeted programs. Since 2003, Zero Waste has invested more than $80 million into programs and projects that have stimulated councils, businesses and the community to reduce and recover waste and to recycle. The Zero Waste Act 2004 requires the government to develop a waste strategy every five years, and Zero Waste SA has collaborated with key stakeholders, including business, state government agencies and local government, to develop our current strategy that covers the period 2011-15.

It is important that we regularly assess and review the appropriateness of our strategy and our priorities that flow from those. That is why in 2013 Zero Waste commissioned an independent mid-term review of the current strategy. The aim of the review was to assess targets, programs and activities, and provide direction for the next waste strategy for 2016-21. A consortium of international and local experts independently and critically carried out the review of the current strategy. The review was completed in February 2014.

I am pleased to say that the review concluded that the state has a healthy mix of well-targeted and effective programs and regulation. The review conducted an economic evaluation of selected Zero Waste SA programs and showed that government investment has yielded positive returns. It also found that the waste management and resources recovery sector is a growing sector in our economy that contributes significantly to the South Australian economy. It has annual turnover of $1 billion and employs approximately 4,800 people. In addition, the sector contributes over $500 million to gross state product, both directly and indirectly.

We know that the sector has great potential, and this review confirms that. Continuing to invest in the recycling industry will contribute to the growth of the South Australian economy. For example, there are great net benefits to be gained from kerbside recycling into the future, particularly if food waste is optimally recycled. There is the possibility of creating more jobs by developing the circular economy, and this can be achieved by opening up opportunities for product development, remanufacturing and refurbishment.

This approach has already proved successful in South Australia's compost processing industry. It is clear that we need to maintain this momentum, and we need to remain innovative. This is why the government has been exploring alternative models for delivering Zero Waste SA's activities. From July 2015, parliament consenting, a new body will replace Zero Waste SA to advance to the next stage of the state's development in waste management.

The new authority, called Green Industries SA, will assist South Australia to continue leading the nation in waste management and keeping South Australia at the forefront of green innovation; encourage innovation and economic growth through the green economy, help businesses to find new overseas markets for their waste management, knowledge and skills; help businesses to reduce their costs through the more efficient use of raw materials, water and energy; administer grants to local government and industries to explore new technologies; and report against waste to landfill targets.

The new body will be established as a statutory corporation governed by its own legislation and a board. A budget of $4 million per annum has been allocated for three years, from the 2015-16 financial year, for Green Industries SA. By creating a new body to advance the next stage of the state's development in waste management, we are entering a new and exciting phase in our waste strategy.

Interestingly, our partners also suggested a similar strategy during the waste strategy review process. For example the Local Government Association of South Australia and the SA branch of the Waste Management Association of Australia met to discuss issues facing the industry. Their conclusions are set out in the document entitled, 'The future of sustainable high performance waste management in South Australia'. One of their recommendations was that a new entity be established to deliver leadership, strategic planning, policy development, coordination and research functions at the state level.

We lead the nation in waste management and recycling outcomes, and we have been able to do this through active and wide-reaching policies and by constantly identifying innovative and new ways to manage the sector. The state government is committed to building on Zero Waste SA's successful foundation in designing the roles and responsibilities of the proposed new statutory organisation. I look forward very much to continuing to see this sector grow and evolve and employ more South Australians into the future.