A draft waste strategy for the next five years will be discussed during tomorrow’s monthly meeting of council.

Chief among the points for discussion will be proposed changes to fees and charges for waste disposal, which could include a review of council’s current policy not to charge gate fees at its landfill site near Barrington.

A waste levy imposed on councils across the State will cost Gloucester Shire $401,250 this financial year.

“There is an increasing need for council to ensure it diverts waste from going to landfill, not only because it is the right thing to do environmentally, but because the State government has provided a very strong financial incentive to ensure we succeed in doing so,” council’s manager of Planning and Environment Graham Gardener said.

Mr Gardner said the draft waste strategy outlined various capital improvements proposed for the Barrington landfill site including the possible purchase of a weigh station and better storage facilities for materials that can be recycled and reused.

The strategy also commits council to capital improvements that will enable effective long-term management of the facility.

Council’s current contract for management of the landfill expires in August. 

Mr Gardner said one of the underlying purposes of the strategy would be to increase knowledge about waste disposal among Gloucester residents.