SOUTH west metro councils are under scrutiny as to how they will manage their waste following the breakdown of a joint waste management organisation.
The Resource Recovery Group, which consisted of the Melville, Fremantle, and East Fremantle councils, fell apart at the end of last year when Melville and East Fremantle announced plans to withdraw in 2024.
The group operates a recycling centre in Canning Vale and incorporates food organics garden organics (FOGO) and green waste processing as part of its services.
Previously known as the South Metropolitan Regional Council, it was formed in 1991 by Melville, East Fremantle, Fremantle, Rockingham, Kwinana, Canning, and Cockburn.
Rockingham, Kwinana, Canning, and Cockburn councils all withdrew over the years.
Melville mayor Katy Mair says the RRG was “financially unsustainable” for the city to maintain after the other councils pulled out, as they “represented about 60 per cent” of waste processed at the Canning Vale site.
Collective
However, both Fremantle and Melville councils are “actively collaborating” on a new, more financially tenable “collective model” Ms Mair said.
“The City of Melville, City of Fremantle and RRG are committed to maintaining business-as-usual operations in line with our collective vision to maximise resource recovery and minimise climate impact, maintain industry-leading recovery rates,” Ms Mair said.
“We are…aiming to continue the operation of the waste management activities at the Canning Vale site and transitioning to a new and more cost-effective waste processing arrangement.”
In December last year, the Fremantle council initiated what appeared to be the dissolution or ‘wind-down’ of all three councils’ involvement with the group.
The City of Melville will officially withdraw in July 2025, and the timeframe for the new Collective Model is still being worked out.
It is not believed regular disposal services for residents in the Fremantle, East Fremantle, or Melville areas will be affected.
In February, RRC CEO Tim Youé stepped down, with executive manager Brendan Doherty stepping up to take the role of acting CEO.
by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER