Central Coast Council is encouraging those interested in shaping the future of waste and resource recovery across the region to register for community workshops.

The workshops follow online consultation to help formulate Council’s first Waste Management Strategy, which seeks to inspire change to help maximise the amount of waste diverted from landfill and its impact on the environment.

Council Unit Manager Waste Services and Business Development, Andrew Pearce advised the workshops would be the last round of public consultation before the first draft Strategy was prepared.

“Initial feedback and ideas are now with staff, who would like to sit down with the community and test some proposed actions for the strategy,” Mr Pearce said.

“It is imperative we gain a heightened understanding from our residents and businesses of the viability of waste diversion actions, as it’s their willingness to come on board with proposed initiatives that will determine future successes.

“Following these workshops staff will develop Council’s first draft Waste Management Strategy, which will be placed on public exhibition later in the year.”

Council Mayor Jane Smith said she was looking forward to working with the community in developing an innovative and sustainable Waste Strategy.

“With 55 percent of household waste being sent to landfill, we need to work together to come up with the best ways to reduce this and protect our natural environment into the future,” Mayor Smith said.

“We are doing our part to try and reduce waste through initiatives such as our draft single use plastic policy and Green Living Program - now more than ever we need the community to join us.

“If you are have a great waste reduction idea then please register for a workshop and be part of influencing positive environmental change in our community.”

Workshops will be held on:

• Tuesday 25 June at Wyong Civic Centre, 12-2pm
• Tuesday 25 June at Wyong Civic Centre, 6-8pm
• Monday 1 July at Umina Surf Club, 6-8pm
• Wednesday 3 July at Erina Centre, Erina Fair, 10am-12pm

Bookings are essential – visit yourvoiceourcoast.com/our-coast-our-waste to register and help design the future of waste on the Central Coast.