LAKE Macquarie City Council will explain how it promotes a regional circular economy through the use of glass sand and recycled organic compost in an address to the Australian Local Government Association's National General Assembly, in Canberra, this week.
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Council's deputy chief executive officer, Tony Farrell, will detail how the council uses recycled crushed glass as sand in civil engineering works, including 'greencrete' footpaths. Mr Farrell will also outline the success of the Remondis Lake Macquarie Organics Resource Recovery Facility, at Awaba, and the newly opened Downer asphalt facility, at Teralba.
Waste management, recycling, and climate change are among the topics set to dominate the conference.
Up to 900 representatives from councils across the country will attend the assembly, convened by the Australian Local Government Association to press their demands for federal help to confront their communities' many challenges.
"Local councils are at the front line of dealing with three of Australia's biggest problems - waste, recycling and climate change," ALGA president, Cr David O'Loughlin, said.
"The number of motions from local councils about these topics, plus drought and water security, demonstrates the serious level of concern many local communities have about these challenges.
"Many of Australia's local councils are responsible for so many services in their local communities, but their level of funding is not commensurate with these responsibilities."
More than a dozen motions will be tabled calling on the federal government to declare a climate emergency, and other motions would demand critical action on waste and mandating product stewardship, Cr O'Loughlin said.
The conference would include a special panel featuring industry, civil society and local government which would discuss ways to develop Australia's circular economy, he said.
Mr Farrell will address the conference as part of that panel.
The conference is being held at the National Convention Centre.
Today, mayors from across Australia will discuss the implications for local government of incoming federal government policy.
On Tuesday, a panel session will discuss housing, infrastructure and population.
And on Wednesday, among the topics discussed will be engaging with communities, and responding to disasters.