Community Consultation
From August to November 2018, Council conducted a 3 stage community consultation process, to find out what were the main concerns of Hornsby Shire residents regarding waste and what their priorities are in addressing these issues.
You told us these were your most important waste issues:
The community would like to see more encouragement from Council on how residents can be smarter with their plastic usage, but also how Council can help to target the source of manufacturing plastic products and excessive packaging.
This was identified as an important theme to ensure proper recycling and disposal practices are undertaken in the community. The dominant issue discussed was better education on what can and cannot go into the recycling bin, especially new residents to the LGA and incorporating programs into schools.
More Return and Earn collection and recycling areas are highly requested around the community for a variety of different recyclable items, e.g. bottles/cans, e-waste and soft plastics, and in easily accessible locations such as supermarkets.
More information on what can and can’t be collected, how materials can be repurposed, what happens to the waste.
The community is keen to see greater promotion of composting strategies for food and organic waste to reduce the amount that goes to landfill, with calls to allow food waste to be put into the green bin and more encouragement/support for community gardens.
Targeting and managing illegal dumping was also a theme mentioned throughout the research. Respondents suggested greater fines need to be issued to people caught dumping, but also that more bulky waste collections across the LGA will help to reduce the illicit practice.
The unique waste service requirements of units/apartments was greatly discussed, both in regards to access to green bins/compost and educating residents about the items that can go into the different types of bins.
Stage 1 – Pop Up Stalls
In August 2018, ‘Waste Matters’ pop-up stalls were located at Hornsby, Beecroft, Galston and Berowra Heights. We asked the community what we should do to further reduce waste going to landfill.
Stage 2 – Online ‘Waste Matters – Have Your Say’ survey and Community Telephone Surveys
From 24 September to 14 October 2018, Council conducted an online survey asking for the community’s opinions and expectations of how waste should be managed in Hornsby Shire.
Stage 3 – Community Focus Groups
Two community focus groups were held in November 2018 to explore issues around bulky waste collections and illegal dumping in more detail. A total of 25 participants were involved.
Stage 4 – Draft Waste Matters Strategy on Exhibition
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on our Waste Matters Strategy – submissions have now closed.
‘Waste Matters’ pop-up stalls were located at Hornsby, Beecroft, Galston and Berowra Heights, where we asked the community what we should do to reduce waste going to landfill – Aug 2018
Online ‘Waste Matters Hornsby – Have Your Say’ survey – 24 Sep to 14 Oct 2018
Community Telephone Surveys – Oct 2018
Targeted Focus Groups – Oct 2018
Draft Waste Strategy on public exhibition, community submissions to be considered – 2019
