Shoalhaven City Council will send two councillors and an unknown number of staff to inspect a waste sorting facility in Poland.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The decision to undertake the trip was made in a confidential session of the June 26 council meeting.
Fairfax Media has been told there are two facilities of this type in the world, one of them in Poland.
The facility sorts red bin waste to separate organic and green material to be made into a reusable product, such as mulch. This would reduce the amount of waste going into landfill in the Shoalhaven, which is near capacity.
It is understood the two councillors put forward to attend the European trip are Mitchell Pakes and John Wells. Patricia White has been nominated as an alternative councillor should one not be able to attend.
Mayor Amanda Findley said it was important for councillors and council staff to have an “exceptional understanding” of technology they might consider in the future.
She said if there was a similar facility closer, money wouldn’t be spent on the trip to Poland.
“I think it is important because waste contracts are one of the most expensive contracts that councils let and all councillors need to be across their material when making such an important decision,” Cr Findley said.
“Council is looking at making a giant innovation leap forward in respect to dealing with waste and diverting large amounts of waste from landfill and it must do that under the current regulations that exist in NSW.
“I wouldn’t vote to send staff or councillors to see something that was outside the realms of possibility because that would be a waste of money.”
Cr Findley said she looked forward to hearing back from the staff and councillors who attended the trip.