The Local Council Waste and Sustainability Improvement Payments (WaSIP) commenced in 2009-10 to assist councils invest in additional actions and programs that improve resource recovery and sustainability outcomes across their local government areas. The Waste and Sustainability Improvement Scheme is described in Part 5A of the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2005. In October 2011, regulatory amendments streamlined the funding arrangements for councils so that a single pool of funds is allocated annually to eligible councils in the SMA, ERA and RRA in proportion to their population.
For the five years from 2011-12 to 2015-16, the Waste and Sustainability Improvement Payment program will provide $205.8 million to eligible councils. In October 2011, the 2011-12 payments totalling $34.8 million were provided under the WaSIP scheme to all 72 councils in the SMA, ERA and RRA.
The guidelines (to download see below) constitute the guidelines referred to in clause 46B of the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2005
Standards, guidelines and reports
To be eligible to receive a Waste and Sustainability Improvement Payment councils in the regulated area (SMA/ERA/RRA) are required to commit to meeting both the ongoing and current year's WaSIP Standards. The WaSIP Standards are progressively updated in consultation with an Advisory Group and the Local Government and Shires Associations.
In August each year SMA/ERA/RRA councils can apply for a Waste and Sustainability Improvement Payment by sending OEH a WaSIP Certificate signed by their General Manager.
The Certificate commits the Council to:
complying with the WaSIP Guidelines
investing the payments in actions and programs to imrpove waste and environmental sustainabiltiy outcomes based on local priorities
providing an action table that details the waste and sustainabiltiy actions that will be delivered as a result of receiving the payments
providing a financial report on the waste and sustainability outcomes achieved
The WaSIP Guidelines provide more information about the program, Standards, action table and financial reporting.
Information sessions for SMA/ERA/RRA councils are also held each year.
Downloads
Guidelines
2009 - 2010 Waste and Sustainability Improvement Payments Guidelines (09404WasteSusImpProg.pdf, 601kb).
2010 - 2011 Waste and Sustainability Improvement Payments Guidelines (10221WasteSusImpProg.pdf, 1.0Mb)
2011 - 2012 Waste and Sustainability Improvement Payments Guidelines (110309WaSIPgde.pdf, 2.6Mb)
Action Table Summaries
2009 - 2010 Waste and Sustainability Improvement Payment Action Tables (10825WaSIP2009_10.pdf, 208kb)
2010 - 2011 Waste and Sustainability Improvement Payment Action Tables (120112WaSIP1011.pdf, 872kb)
Resources
Local Council Guide for Water Efficiency Plans (10473WaterEfficiencyPlans.pdf, 3.4Mb). This publication may assist councils who have not previously developed plans to reduce water consumption.
Local Council Guide for Energy Management Plans (10742EnergyEfficiencyPlans.pdf, 4.6Mb). This publication may assist councils who have not previously developed plans that identify and help deliver energy savings.
Local Government Strategic Waste Action Plan Tool. This Tool has been developed to assist local government in NSW to evaluate their current waste diversion performance and investigate the impact system modifications may have on future waste diversion rates
Guide to Climate Change Risk Assessment for NSW Local Government. This guide provides step by step instructions for assessing potential climate change risks to local government organisations, assets and services
More information
Contact: Sustainability Programs Division.
