Your Say

 

WARATAH-WYNYARD COUNCIL WASTE SURVEY

Council has developed a Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy for 2019-24, which is laying the direction for the next five years and beyond.

The Strategy is a commitment to achieving a 50% diversion of waste from landfill by 2024 and the continuous improvement in the way Council manages waste generated within the community. To be in the best position to meet this goal, Council must introduce progressive ways to minimise waste to landfill through targeted activities, education and advocacy programs.

Currently, there are two main waste services provided to the community. This includes a kerbside waste and recycling collection service to urban areas. The cost of this is levied to properties who receive this service and for 2018/19 the fee is $220 per household per year. Additionally, all properties within Waratah-Wynyard pay a Waste Utility Charge of $100 per year to cover the costs of running the Waste Transfer Stations.

The Waratah-Wynyard Council invites you to complete the waste survey and help us explore ways to improve the services and facilities provided to the community, as well as provide ideas and suggestions for how to plan for the future.

To complete the survey, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P7PM5KD

The Survey closes Friday 27 March 2020.

 

 

PUBLIC CAMPING IN SISTERS BEACH ... what do you think?

What is public camping?

Public camping - more commonly known as freedom camping - is the use of public land for camping (with or without facilities) at no or low cost.  Freedom camping refers to freedom of choice not necessarily free of cost. The rules and provisions can vary from one site to another and facilities can be limited or wide-ranging.

Why are your thoughts important?

There are a range of views about public camping.  Even when there is ample supply in formal parks there is often still some demand for public areas to stay. The provision of a public camping site at Sisters Beach has been discussed for some years and we are interested in your thoughts. Council would consider a proposal by a community group or other organisation to ‘manage’ a site - however has not considered developing a site without a partnership such as this.

Background

Public camping has been considered as part of several reports relating to Sisters Beach:

Sisters Beach Open Space Plan 2015 - recommended exploring options for freedom camping at Sisters Beach.

Open Space Sport and Recreation Plan 2015 – 2026 (Camping Issue Paper) - recommended to evaluate a site for freedom camping at Sisters Beach, along Honeysuckle Ave.

Freedom Camping Options Report 2019 - The report suggests consultation with community to determine need, identifying site requirements, determining the appropriate management model and preparing a budget for development of the site.

There would be a ‘Balanced Welcoming’ approach to public camping which means as a community:

“We seek to be good hosts of our visitors and we seek them to be good guests when they come to our place. To achieve that we’ll give a high level of warm, welcoming support and embrace their cultures, but we will also put in place the measures to protect the values and environments important to us.”

How would we manage expectations?

The site could be established under determined management guidelines including:

- Clearly defined area - Self-contained vehicles only

- Number of sites - A fee for stay

- Length of stay - Access to dump point

- Time restrictions   - Removal of all rubbish from the site

- No tents

What is a Self-Contained Camping Vehicle? A vehicle including a motorhome, caravan, campervan or recreation vehicle which can be used for sleeping overnight and contains facilities for cooking, eating, sleeping and washing and is capable of meeting the ablutionary and sanitary needs of the occupants for a minimum of two days without requiring any external services or discharging any waste.

 

Where could the site be?

The fenced site behind the Sisters Beach Fire Station could be considered if all requirements could be met.

Who would manage the site?

This could be an opportunity for a community group to generate a regular income. Alternatively, another operating model could be considered.

You can have your say by:

Your Say on Council's page - completed Feedback Form below

or call Leanne King at Waratah-Wynyard Council on 6443 8321 before 30 April 2020.

What happens with this information?

The responses will help inform Council as to whether public camping is an option in Sisters Beach.

PUBLIC COMMENT CLOSES ON 30 APRIL 2020