Hunter and Central Coast collaborate on Circular Economy Roadmap
The Roadmap showcases circular economy successes, sets a path for the next 12 months and enables the stakeholders to collaborate and accelerate towards a longer-term shared vision of becoming Australia’s leading regional circular economy.
The Hunter Joint Organisation (Hunter JO) and key regional stakeholders across both communities have co-developed the Hunter and Central Coast Circular Economy Roadmap.
The circular economy represents a move away from the current linear system - take, make, use, then waste - towards systems in which materials are kept in use for as long as possible at their highest and best use. The concept involves reusing materials or designing out waste to create more economic value while reducing the impact on the environment.
The Hunter is currently experiencing a time of economic evolution and the circular economy provides an opportunity for existing businesses to improve and diversify and new industries to blossom, creating new jobs in the region.
The Roadmap provides an overview of the key circular economy projects already completed, and projects currently happening or planned in the Hunter and Central Coast region. By also providing means to connect with the project leaders, the roadmap is vital in maintaining the momentum in shifting towards this new economic model.
Chair of the Hunter JO, Cr Sue Moore Mayor of Singleton, said that the benefits of circular economy for the future of the region’s industries presents opportunities for the Hunter and Central Coast to attract investment, industries and jobs, capitalising on the Hunter as Australia’s most dynamic regional economy.
Cr Kay Fraser, Chair of the Hunter JO’s Circular Economy Sub-Committee and Mayor of Lake Macquarie, said Local Government representatives are uniquely placed to provide strategic direction and connect stakeholders.
“We have the opportunity to break down some of the barriers preventing us from adopting a circular economy on a much larger scale,” she said.
“Moving to a circular economy is a collaborative effort. Local government, the Hunter JO and all levels of government need to work together as project partners to support this important shift.”
The Roadmap was advanced through the leadership of the Hunter Central Coast Circular Economy Facilitators Group, containing a broad cross section of the community, with funding from NSW EPA programs.
The Roadmap is a living document that will be kept updated through a quarterly review process developed the Circular Economy Facilitators Group. It lays out the methodology for adding, maintaining, and prioritising initiatives. The Hunter JO will be seeking further funding from the NSW Government to ensure the initial success of this Roadmap can be leveraged, improved, and maintained into the future.
