EMRC`s Commitment to the Community

Most members of the Perth Eastern Region community participate in the 3 Rs – reduce, re-use and recycle. However, many people are not aware of resource recovery as a new way of making resources out of our waste. 

At the EMRC we are especially concerned with ensuring that we provide opportunities for active community involvement in the Resource Recovery project.

2009 Community Engagement
The EMRC undertook community research during May - July 2009 to gather information to understand the community's perceptions and attitudes relating to the potential sites and technologies under consideration for the Resource Recovery Facility.  The community engagement involved community surveys and focus groups.

This information will be considered by the EMRC Council as it moves towards finalising the preferred technology and site prior to inviting tenders.

Results from the survey can be downloaded from the Resources page.

2005 & 2006 Community Engagement
The EMRC undertook community engagement and research in 2005 and 2006 which involved community surveys, feedback sessions and workshops.

The surveys involved conducting a baseline survey and a follow up survey.

Results from the survey:

•  About 48% of respondents indicated a willingness to pay an extra $50 per year for better environmental outcomes.
• 93% of respondents felt that improved environmental performance in waste management was at least “Quite Important.”
• Less greenhouse gases, more recycling, locating facilities away from houses and less tip volumes were cited as the most important features of new waste management systems.

In July and August 2005 the EMRC conducted project information and feedback sessions in each member Council. 

These were followed by two Regional workshops.  The first held on 15 October 2005 was attended by over 100 participants.  The Regional workshop invited community stakeholders to participate by raising issues of concern; considering the criteria for assessing the proposed sites and technology options; and proposing additional criteria, sites and technologies.   

The second Regional Workshop was held in February 2006 where participants assigned the weighted criteria they helped to develop, and recommended preferred resource recovery solutions that will feed into EMRC’s decision making process.

Feedback from the workshops:

• The four sites of Red Hill, Bayswater, Lakes Rd (Hazelmere) and the Perth Airport were the preferred options based upon the community’s criteria and weightings.
• Biological technology options (including anaerobic digestion) were preferred, followed by gasification and combustion.