Brimbank Council is calling on the Victorian Government to support initiatives for a greener economy through its Sustainability Fund.
Council is calling on the Government to provide funding from this fund to Local Government to support the implementation of a circular economy at a local level.
A circular economy is an economic system committed to reducing waste and increasing the recycling of our limited resources. It is a move away from the traditional economic approach that fails to protect our limited resources.
Brimbank Mayor, Cr Lucinda Congreve said a healthy economy needs to be greener and circular economy initiatives would be an important step in this direction.
“There is increasing understanding by our community that we live beyond our planet’s means and that our rates of consumption are unsustainable.
“A circular economy approach puts forward principles that attempt to ensure resources are used efficiently for as long as possible and minimise waste,” Cr Congreve said.
Brimbank Council will be writing to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, the Hon Lily D’Ambrosia, requesting that funds are urgently allocated to Local Government from the Sustainability Fund to support efficient implementation of circular economy initiatives at a local level to provide benefits to Victorian communities.
A Notice of Motion was tabled at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 15 October 2019.
Mover of the motion, Cr Kim Thien Truong, said Local Government could be a key player in transition to a circular economy.
“Council needs to support its residents and local businesses to move towards a circular economy and could do this by preparing a local action plan that outlines local opportunities and initiatives,” Cr Truong said.
Cr Truong said the Sustainability Fund is allocated towards a range of initiatives that includes promoting environmentally sustainable uses of resources and best practices in waste.
The Sustainability Fund receives money collected from the Victorian Municipal and Industrial Landfill Levy. As at 30 June 2018 the total money accrued in the Sustainability Fund was $511 million.
Cr Truong suggested initiatives that would advance a circular economy include:
- Prioritising the management of organic waste
- Supporting the development of businesses that use circular economy principles
- Improving source separation of waste
- Recycling
- Advocating for increased product stewardship.
