Second round of grants awarded for Local Government Waste Solutions Fund

This funding, part of the second round of the Local Government Waste Solutions Fund (LGWS), aims to aid 10 projects across 25 local government areas.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Executive Director Programs & Innovation Alexandra Geddes highlighted the potential impact of these grants, stating, “This round of grants will fund a diverse range of projects that will help councils and communities divert waste from landfill and keep materials in use for longer.” She added, “We look forward to seeing more great ideas put into practice with this latest round of funding as we continue to work towards a circular economy.”

Projects receiving funding include community workshops, construction waste recycling, and initiatives to improve waste management in apartment complexes. Recipients of the Round Two funding include:

• Penrith City Council: Received $115,000 to organise textile and bicycle drop-off events aimed at promoting the circular economy by changing community perceptions of these items from waste to valuable assets.
• Wingecarribee Shire Council: Awarded $150,000 to conduct community education workshops on the circular economy, focusing on changing public attitudes towards waste through practical demonstrations and educational materials.
• Muswellbrook Shire Council: Granted $102,960 to enhance the reuse of materials for on-site road building and other applications, improving operational efficiency and reducing landfill waste.
• Georges River Council: Received $100,000 to develop a sustainable and circular design guide for council infrastructure projects, aiming to reduce environmental impact and maximise the use of recycled resources.
• Ballina Shire Council: Granted $192,500 for a holistic solution to construction and demolition waste recovery, collaborating with regional partners to find viable recycling solutions.
• Byron Shire Council: Awarded $198,500 to develop infrastructure supporting a reuse economy, including audits and upgrades of council facilities.
• Hunter Joint Organisation: Received $349,413 for the second phase of a project focused on circular procurement for local governments, addressing barriers to adopting circular products and solutions.
• Canterbury-Bankstown Council: Secured $180,000 to improve waste infrastructure in apartment blocks, facilitating better access to recycling and organic collections.

The third round of the LGWS fund is expected to open in September 2024, with individual councils eligible to apply for up to $200,000 and groups of two or more councils eligible for up to $400,000.

For more details and to apply, visit Local Government Waste Solutions Fund here. ​