Resource and Waste Management Plan Guide

Under the NSW Waste and Sustainable Material Strategy 2041, there are targets Tamworth Regional Council (Council) is working towards achieving.  Examples include achieving an 80% average of resource recovery rate from all waste streams and tripling plastics recycling by 2030.  In order to work towards these targets, Council is requiring greater transparency and accountability from developments.

Council’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2022-2026 and action plan, adopted by Council, endorses actions that work towards achieving these targets. 
The RWMP document has been created to ensure that during any stage of development, being the application stage, building and construction stage or a business occupation / operation stage, applicants can demonstrate how resource recovery obligations are being achieved.

To assist with the submission of the RWMP, this document provides context to ensure that the applicant understands what is required in both the preparation and undertaking of resource recovery and waste management obligations throughout the development stages.

The RWMP must include sufficiently detailed and necessary information for assessment and determination that the provision of services will meet the resource and waste management obligations.  Services can be delivered by either Council or a private licensed waste service provider, based on what is appropriate for size and scale of the development.

The RWMP is required to outline how adequate and safe conditions for service providers, staff and contractors will be provided.  The RWMP needs to take into account the following example of a touchpoint journey from capture to disposal or potential onsite reuse opportunities. 

If this does not contain the answer to your question, you can email: waste@tamworth.nsw.gov.au and in the Subject Line include the following
RWMP Query – description (ie Chemical Disposal) 
and outline your question in the body of the email and your contact details.
However, please allow up to 10 business days for response.  It may not take this long to receive a response, but depending on the query, further consultation may need to be undertaken.

A RWMP is a mechanism or tool for behavioural and operational change, to shift from the traditional single source waste disposal practice.  Creating a RWMP demonstrates how you, your clients and those associated with the development and ongoing operations, are going to meet your obligations to align with the NSW Governments Resource Recovery targets. 

There are a number of purposes for the RWMP at different stages of development, construction and occupation.  Each Development Application (DA) is potentially unique as they can have different timeframes, and can be influenced by different factors for the various stages of the development. 

Some RWMP’s may not require all stages to be completed.  RWMP’s help to ensure consideration has been applied to all potential resource recovery opportunities during all relevant stages of these processes. They also assist Council to understand how to manage the waste generated in our region to ensure resource recovery occurs in accordance with legislative requirements.

The quality and detail of the information provided in a RWMP, can reduce the number of request(s) for further information in the review and determination process that specifically relate to resource and waste management. 

Below are some guiding principles for each stage of the RWMP.

Site Preparation and Demolition Stage

• When preparing a site, detail what volumes of materials, including soil, vegetation etc. will be taken to Council’s waste management facility, or kept on site for reuse, or a specified alternative use.  
• If demolitions works are required, what materials does this involve, what volumes of these materials will be taken to a Council waste management facility, identified for reuse or taken to a specified alternate location.
• The bin collection location or consolidation location(s) for onsite source separation of reuse, recyclables or waste and how that is going to be managed and what measures have been put in place for this to occur safely.
• If demolition works are required that involve asbestos, all appropriate and legislative requirements must be met.
• The educational practices undertaken (site induction/toolbox talk), signage that will be used for staff or subcontractors to know what bin is for what stream (might be provided by the bin provider on their infrastructure).
• What "bin" contamination management practices are in place for resource recovery streams so things that should not be in there are removed or avoided.

Construction Stage

• When constructing a site, detail what volumes and types of materials, will be taken to Council’s waste management facility, or kept on site for reuse, or a specified alternative use.  
• The bin collection location or consolidation location(s) for onsite source separation of reuse, recyclables or waste and how that is going to be managed and what measures have been put in place for this to occur safely.
• The educational practices undertaken (site induction/toolbox talk), signage that will be used for staff or subcontractors to know what bin is for what stream (might be provided by the bin provider on their infrastructure).
• What “bin” contamination management practices are in place for resource recovery streams so things that should not be in there are removed or avoided.
• When and how frequent resource recovery and waste collection services are to be provided.

Commercial / Retail / Industrial / Business Occupation / Operational Stage

Council requires greater transparency to identify the resources and wastes generated in this stage.  RWMP’s assist in identifying potential circular economy opportunities, or foster communication from Council when a new opportunity for resource recovery is available in the local government area.

It also allows Council to communicate with relevant businesses, who could be affected by an unexpected legislative change, that requires a change of management for a particular resource or waste stream and provide access to information.

The RWMP’s for this stage can help Council to understand: 

• The type of business and industry sector that will be operating at the premises.
• The collection infrastructure that will be implemented on site for the business to manage the identified streams.
• Who the approved service provider for those identified streams will be and the frequency of service or staff drop off activities occurring at approved locations.
• The estimated volumes of each waste stream that might be received at a Council waste management facility or taken by another licenced service provider to an identified approved location as this shows diversion activities are happening.
• The educational practices undertaken (site induction/toolbox talk), signage that will be used for staff or subcontractors to know what bin is for what stream (might be provided by the bin provider on their infrastructure).
• Access to the facility, including any potential gate or security access.
• The location for collection of the waste collection infrastructure, including proposed location, vehicle access and potential damage to infrastructure (overhead wires, suitability of road surface).
• What bin contamination management practices a private collection service will include (if applicable).
• If there are any potential presentation or servicing issues.
• That provisions for material streams have been considered and options implemented to manage recovery and/or disposal appropriately (ie for some specific streams but not limited to, batteries, residual chemicals, solar panels, paint, gas bottles that CANNOT go in any waste bin that goes to landfill).

In some instances, Council will require a RWMP based on the type of development due to its size, property attributes, location or proposed type of development.  The following guide is to assist Council in understanding how essential services for resource recovery and waste management, are intended to be provided and whether what is proposed can be achieved for a residential multi-dwelling ≥ 6 units OR Residential Community title, Gated Community or Lifestyle Living Village.

Depending upon the proposed development, Council kerbside waste services may not be able to be provided.  This WILL require the provision of private waste collection services to be organised by the developer, with ongoing service cost and maintenance managed privately, not reverting to a council paid system.

If this is the case, then services provided by a private licenced waste management service provider, must replicate Council’s kerbside waste management services provided to other residents at a minimum.  This includes any state government mandated obligations such as future food organics (FO) collections (Council will provide FO as part of the garden organics (GO) services by 2030).

Council provides kerbside waste management services that predominately include the following suite of collections across most of its Council area (including providing the bin infrastructure):

• 1 x 240L general waste bin (red lid)

• 1 x 240L recycling bin (yellow lid)
• 1 x 240L garden organics bin (green lid)  - (NB: Future collection of Food Organics by 2030 as above)

There are currently no food organics (FO) collections in the Tamworth Regional Council area, however there is a NSW State Government Mandate around food waste diversion in place currently. The FO service rules are beyond Council’s control as they are State imposed obligations.  FO services will be available to residents in the future and therefore provisions must be included in replicated services. 

If it is deemed that Council waste services cannot be provided, then the proposed development, is required to outline how adequate and safe services by a private waste service provider can be delivered safely for their staff and residents.  Safety, practicality and locations of proposed infrastructure that will be used and/or any consolidation points will also be reviewed. 

For this type of development, the purpose of the RWMP is to assist Council or an approved private licensed waste service provider, to understand: 

• How a service provider can and would access to the proposed development.
• When and how waste collection services would be provided.
• What collection infrastructure would be used and who is providing this (if private waste contractor undertaking service).
• The number of proposed residences within the development and if there is a potential for future growth of those developments (i.e., stage 1, stage 2 etc).
• Identify the bin collection location or consolidation location(s) within the development.
• The bin storage and traversal journey to presentation of bins (if applicable).
• The educational signage that will be used in communal areas (if private waste contractor).
• If private collection service, what bin contamination management practices would be in place.
• If private collection service, how bulky household waste items from residents will be managed.
• The road layout and if there are potentially any turning or presentation issues.
• The road width and road surface durability for regular heavy vehicle utilisation.
• If the proposed development design, facilitates safe service delivery for a collection service provider, residents and property infrastructure (i.e., water meters, mail boxes etc).