Information for Prospective Members – Waste Authority – February 2012 Page 1 of 6

Information for prospective members of the Waste Authority

1. The Waste Authority

The Waste Authority (the Authority) is a statutory authority established underthe Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007 (the Act). It issupported by the Office of the Waste Authority, consisting of 5 staff; a GeneralManager, Executive Officer and Managers of Policy, Strategic Partnershipsand Communications & Media Relations.

The Waste Authority is also supported by officers of the Department ofEnvironment and Conservation’s Waste Management Branch through aMemorandum of Understanding arrangement (please refer to ‘Relationship toDepartment of Environment and Conservation’ on page 2 for furtherinformation).

The Authority provides advice direct to the Minister for Environment; Water,the Hon Bill Marmion MLA, on strategic direction, policy and priorities forwaste in Western Australia and oversees the development andimplementation of policies, strategies and programs. The Authority isresponsible for developing a Waste Strategy and administering the WasteAvoidance and Resource Recovery Account.

The specific functions of the Authority, as outlined in Schedule 2 of the Act,are provided at Attachment 1.

The Authority may also establish committees to assist the Authority in carryingout its functions. At least one member of each committee established must bea member of the Authority.

2. Composition of the Waste Authority

The Authority comprises five members, including a Chairman and DeputyChairman, who are appointed by the Governor. Members are to be personswho, in the opinion of the Minister for Environment, have skill, experience andknowledge in matters relating to sustainability, waste services, or wasteavoidance and resource recovery or having an interest relevant to thefunctions of the Waste Authority. Members considered will also, in the opinionof the Minister for Environment, be able to make a contribution to the functionsof the Authority.

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Members are appointed for a term not exceeding five years but they may bereappointed for further consecutive terms. Members may resign before theexpiry of their appointment by notice in writing to the Minister for Environment.

The constitution and proceedings of the Authority are outlined in Schedule 1of the Act.

3. Remuneration of Members

Members (excluding the Chairman and Deputy Chairman) will receive anannual remuneration of $19,600 before tax, and are entitled to claim allreasonable out of pocket travel and accommodation expenses incurred whenon approved Authority business.

The Chairman receives an annual remuneration of $39,100. The DeputyChairman receives $24,300.

4. Meetings of the Waste Authority

The Authority meets once per month throughout the year for scheduled halfday meetings at Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) officesin Perth (Level 4, Atrium Building, 168 St Georges Terrace). Meetings areheld on the first Wednesday of the month. A copy of the 2012 MeetingSchedule is provided at Attachment 2. Meetings may also be held at othervenues from time to time, to coincide with site visits of relevant facilities and/ormeetings with key stakeholders.

Meeting papers (including agenda papers and briefing notes) are forwarded tomembers 1 week prior to the meeting for detailed reading.

In addition, special meetings of the Authority, for example, business planningsessions, may be convened from time to time on an as needs basis.

5. Relationship to the Department of Environment and Conservation

While the Authority is independent of DEC, it works closely with thedepartment through agreed procedures. DEC is headed by the DirectorGeneral, Mr Keiran McNamara, and provides the Authority, through a ServiceAgreement, with professional and technical support, particularly in relation tothe development and implementation of policies, strategies and programs.

A Service Agreement between the Authority and Department was establishedon 23 September 2009. A copy of the Agreement is provided atAttachment 3. The Authority may also seek professional advice from otherstaff within DEC under the Service Agreement.

6. Further Information

The Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007 can be found on theState Law Publisher website at:http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/main_mrtitle_2757_homepage.html

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Further information relating to waste priorities for the State can be found at theWaste Authority’s website at: www.zerowaste.wa.gov.au.

7. Responding to the Advertisement for Expressions of Interest

Expressions of interest should clearly state which position applicants areinterested in, be marked ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ and forwarded to:

Chief of StaffOffice of the Minister for Environment; Water29th Floor, Allendale Square77 St Georges TerracePERTH WA 6000

You should detail your skill, experience and knowledge in matters relating tosustainability, waste services, or waste avoidance and resource recovery, oryour particular function or vocational interest relevant to the functions of theWaste Authority.

Applications close 5pm, Friday 23 March 2012.

Please note that a person appointed as a member of the Waste Authoritycannot also be employed under part 3 of the Public Sector Management Act1994.

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Attachment 1

Functions of the Waste Authority

as outlined in Schedule 2 of theWaste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007

1. (a) advise and make recommendations to the Minister on mattersrelating to the Act; and

(b) inquire into and advise the Minister or the CEO on any matter relatingto the Act on which the Minister or CEO requests advice; and

(c) advise and make recommendations to the CEO on the regulation ofwaste services; and

(d) advise and make recommendations to the CEO with respect tosubsidiary legislation under the Act.

2. To act as an advocate for the objectives of the Act.

3. To develop, promote and review the waste strategy and coordinate itsimplementation.

4. To monitor and assess the adequacy of, and report to the Minister on theoperation of, the waste strategy, product stewardship plans andextended producer responsibility schemes.

5. To promote community awareness and understanding of resourceefficiency, waste avoidance and resource recovery.

6. To support State and Commonwealth policies which will enhanceprogress towards zero waste.

7. To promote resource efficiency, waste avoidance and resource recovery.

8. To promote coordination between organisations seeking to preventwaste.

9. To liaise with local governments to ensure that the provisions of the Actare enforced in the districts of those local governments.

10. To cooperate with local governments to coordinate local efforts toprevent waste.

11. To receive representation on waste management issues from membersof the public.

12. To promote market development for recovered resources and recycledmaterials.

13. To promote the development of locally owned resource recoveryinfrastructure.

14. To ensure that the appropriate investigations, audits and inspections inrelation to the application of moneys from the Waste Avoidance andResource Recovery Fund are carried out.

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15. To take appropriate measures to bring the provisions of the Act to theattention of the public.

16. To do such other acts and things as are conductive to the prevention andcontrol of waste.

17. To perform such other functions as are conferred on it under the Act orare referred to it by the Minister.

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Attachment 2

Waste Authority

Meeting Dates 2012

The Waste Authority meets on the first Wednesday of every month (exceptJanuary), for approximately 4.0 hours from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm in the AtriumBoardroom, Department of Environment and Conservation, Level 4, 168 StGeorges Terrace, Perth. The meeting includes a working lunch.

Meetings may also be held at other venues to coincide with tours of wastemanagement and recycling facilities across the metropolitan area.

Meeting papers are couriered to members one week in advance of meetings.

Date of Meeting2012

Papers Due By Papers Courieredto

Members

8 February Friday 27 January 12.00 noon 1 February

7 March Friday 24 February 12.00 noon 29 February

4 April Friday 23 March 12.00 noon 28 March

2 May(held in Esperance)

Friday 20 April 12.00 noon 26 April

6 June Friday 25 May 12.00 noon 30 May

4 July Friday 22 June 12.00 noon 27 June

1 August Friday 20 July 12.00 noon 25 July

5 September(held in Karratha)

Friday 24 August 12.00 noon 29 August

3 October Friday 21 September 12.00 noon 26 September

7 November Friday 26 October 12.00 noon 31 October

5 December Friday 23 November 12.00 noon 28 November