a majority government will:
- Invest $4.5 million to improve and increase Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) reprocessing capacity across our State.
- Pave the way for the use of crumbed rubber in State Road surfaces, using waste tyres.
- Commit to phasing out single-use plastics.
- Deliver a second Business Resource Efficiency Program to drive the circular economy.
- Support the Commonwealth Government to deliver single-touch environmental approvals.
- Develop a Sustainability Strategy.
- Provide an additional $1.34 million for the ongoing protection of Tasmania’s threatened species.
This is in addition to our commitment to:
- Commence operation of a Container Refund Scheme next year to reduce the number of containers littered in our environment and to provide cleaner and more valuable streams of recyclables.
- Introduce a state-wide waste levy this year to encourage the diversion of waste from landfill and to drive investment in the circular economy.
- Provide $5.5 Million in Recycling Modernisation Fund grants to be matched by the Australian Government and industry to build our plastics reprocessing capacity in Tasmania.
Tasmania has a fantastic opportunity as increased demand for recycling and organics processing leads to new infrastructure, new businesses and the creation of jobs in the circular economy sector, at a time when we most need them.
The Liberal Government has prioritised investment and development in our waste management and resource recovery sector, building confidence and growth in the industry.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government is committed to continue growing our circular economy, maximising the use and value of resources at every stage of a product or material’s lifecycle so that waste material can continue to be used productively in the economy.
Invest $4.5 million* to improve and increase Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) reprocessing capacity across our State
There is wide recognition that FOGO is an important component of waste management and that appropriate management results in significantly less material ending up at landfill.
The Tasmanian Government has set a target to reduce the volume of organic waste sent to landfill by 50% by 2030, consistent with the national target and are committed to supporting and working with councils across our State to roll out new FOGO kerbside collection services.
To help us reach this target, a re-elected Majority Liberal Government will allocate $4.5 million of our circular economy fund to invest in improving organics collection and reprocessing infrastructure across Tasmania.
We will support Dulverton Waste Management develop a state-of-the-art composting facility in Northern Tasmania.
We will also support feasibility and design work for a FOGO solution in the South.
This investment will also support education programs to show households and businesses how they can reduce the amount of waste food and organic material sent to landfill.
Work is currently underway to develop a State-wide Organics (FOGO) Strategy.
The Strategy will provide information on the volume and types of organic waste streams in Tasmania and identify options for future treatment and use of FOGO.
We are committed to investing in managing FOGO and providing support and jobs in regional areas. Through a sustainable environment, we can build our economy and create more jobs for Tasmanians.
Pave the way for the use of crumbed rubber in State Road surfaces, using waste tyres
The Liberal Government has already set a clear plan to take strong action on waste in Tasmania.
We are investing in our waste management and resource recovery sector as we build our circular economy.
We will allocate $3 million of our circular economy fund to partner with industry to invest in a crumbed rubber plant, an essential infrastructure component required to facilitate our commitment.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will lead by example, and pave the way to using crumbed rubber from recycled tyres in our State-owned road pavements.
We will commence the introduction of crumbed rubber into our State Road Resurfacing Program from 1 July 2022 and if successful look to expand the use of crumbed rubber to State-owned road and pavement construction across Tasmania from 1 July 2023.
We will continue to assess and review the performance and efficacy of crumbed rubber and we will also further assess the feasibility of using other waste materials, such as plastic bags and recycled glass in road surfaces as we work towards a truly circular economy.
We will also provide $4 million over four years to assist industry through the transition and ensure there is no disruption to our roads program.
We are committed to working with industry to ensure a smooth transition to a reliable and cost-effective model that Tasmanians can have confidence in.
Commit to phasing out single-use plastics
The Tasmanian Liberals are committed to addressing the impacts of single-use and unnecessary plastics in our environment and to increasing resource recovery.
We have already set a goal to phase out single-use plastics from Government and council facilities as well as events held on public-owned land across the State by 2023.
On top of this, we are committed to working with the Australian Government towards the national target to phase out problematic and unnecessary plastics by 2025. We are committed to working with councils, small businesses and industry as we make this transition.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will commit $1 million over four years to develop an implementation plan, draft legislation and support businesses through the transition.
As part of this, we will establish a $100,000 fund for innovative measures for small business to start their journey.
These initiatives build on the Australian Government’s recently announced National Plastics Plan and Tasmania’s 2019 draft Waste Action Plan.
Deliver a second Business Resource Efficiency Program to drive the circular economy
Businesses are increasingly looking to adopt circular economy principles and increase resource efficiency to reduce business costs and emissions, improve resilience and protect the environment.
In 2020, the Tasmanian Government delivered a Business Resource Efficiency Program to help Tasmanian businesses audit and review their resource use and find ways to improve it.
The program was a very successful, with many of the participants achieving increased resource efficiency and circular economy improvements.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will allocate $200,000 to deliver a second Business Resource Efficiency Program.
Importantly, case studies and resources from the program will be made available online so that all interested businesses can learn from the participant businesses.
Support the Commonwealth Government to deliver single-touch environmental approvals
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will continue to support the Australian Government in their implementation of a single touch environmental approvals process.
We will consider measures to improve outcomes for the environment and businesses into the future and we have long argued for the need to have clear, consistent and agreed approaches to environmental regulation across all levels of Government.
The Tasmanian Liberals are demonstrating our ongoing commitment to reducing unnecessary red tape while also maintaining appropriate rigor in our environmental assessments and approvals process.
Develop a Sustainability Strategy
The Tasmanian Liberals are committed to sustainable development and ensuring that our unique island remains productive for future generations to enjoy and benefit from.
A key theme of the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council consultation, survey and Final Report was that the environment is essential for Tasmanian’s health, well-being and economic prosperity, and it forms part of our brand and competitive advantages.
In line with the recommendations of the Final Report, a re-elected Majority Liberal Government will develop a sustainability strategy for Tasmania that sets ambitious goals, concrete targets and actions.
The Strategy will capitalise on our sustainability credentials, our brand, support broader well-being and economic growth and secure Tasmania’s Future.
Provide an add $1.34 million for the ongoing protection of Tasmania’s threatened species
The Tasmanian Liberals are committed to protecting Tasmania’s pristine natural environment and protecting our unique threatened species.
Over the next four years, a re-elected Majority Liberal Government will commit $1 million to progress key actions identified in the Swift Parrot Recovery Plan.
This will support the ongoing active management and recovery of the species.
We are committed to a thorough review of the Threatened Species Strategy and will provide $300,000 to ensure the review is comprehensive and informed by contemporary science.
We will also continue funding the Raptor Refuge to run a dedicated telephone hotline for reporting of injured birds, increasing our contribution towards this important service to $10,000 per annum over the next four years.
Current work underway right now:
- $4 million to implement key actions identified in our Waste Action Plan.
- Commencing operation of a Container Refund Scheme in 2022.
- Introducing a State-wide Waste Levy this year.
- Providing $5.5 million in Recycling Modernisation Fund grants, to be matched by the Australian Government and industry.
- Establishing a $10 million circular economy fund for strategic investment in waste management and resource recovery, to support our other waste initiatives and create jobs.
- Delivery of an Environmental Standard for the salmon industry ensuring contemporary and consistent requirements are placed on salmon farming activities and world’s best practice environmental regulation.
- Undertaking a comprehensive and informed review of the Tasmanian Threatened Eagles Recovery Plan.
Our record in Government:
- $2.5 million investment in the construction of the Orange-bellied Parrot captive breeding facility at Five Mile Beach.
- Delivery of the Report Rubbish web application.
- Increase penalties for illegal waste dumping.
- New marine pollution legislation to protect our marine waters by managing pollution from ships.
- Ongoing funding of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program.
- $7,000 to Raptor Refuge Inc. to run a dedicated hotline for reporting and rescue of injured birds.
Costings:
The cost of this policy is $6.54 million over four years.
** These policies will be funded from the Government's $10 million Circular Economy Fund.