THE City of Swan’s withdrawal from the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) leaves only the Town of Bassendean and City of Bayswater as the two remaining members.

Bassendean Mayor Kathryn Hamilton said there were a variety of reasons for the town’s ongoing membership.

“The fees and charges provided by the EMRC are superior (and) cheaper to that of the limited options within the market,” she said.

“The town has greater control over its waste stream’s fees and charges being a member of the EMRC, rather than being at the whim of market forces.

“(And) the EMRC is committed to high environmental standards and compliance which aligns with the town’s own values.”

Echo News asked Bassendean if the rates would increase for Bassendean ratepayers to cover the costs of the EMRC.

“No, the rates will always be cheaper under a membership model for landfill,” Cr Hamilton said.

She said the situation may change if the state government waste levy further disadvantages metropolitan landfill.

Cr Hamilton said if the Red Hill facility was sold to a private operator, it would reduce competition in the marketplace and likely increase waste charges across the state over time.

With reference to waste-to-energy (WtE) projects, Cr Hamilton said a mix of waste solution facilities were required.

“There are challenges with (the) commissioning of these facilities and without alternate waste solutions such as Red Hill and a mix of public and private ownership of essential assets waste, charges will increase over time.”

The cities of Swan and Kalamunda as well as the Shire of Mundaring confirmed they would direct their waste to the East Rockingham WtE facility when it becomes operational.

Kalamunda Mayor Margaret Thomas said the WtE facility underwent a rigorous assessment by the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority and received final ministerial approval on February 19, 2019.

“It also received works approval from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation on July 23, 2019,” Ms Thomas said.

“The city is confident that appropriate regulatory oversight is in place to ensure community safety and environmental compliance.”

She said the greater transport distance of waste to East Rockingham wasn’t expected to result in a rate increase because the implemented food organics and garden organics (FOGO) system had significantly reduced the volume of general waste requiring transport.

In Mundaring announces exit from EMRC (Echo News, May 2) Mundaring chief executive Jason Whiteaker said the shire’s transition to the WtE facility was informed by council’s 2017 decision to move away from landfill and the state government’s direction on waste management.

In response to questions about the possibility of a rate increase, Shire President Paige McNeil said waste management costs may fluctuate over time.

“(But) we are committed to maintaining a responsible and cost-effective approach that serves our community’s needs.”

In the interim, Swan Mayor Tanya Richardson said the city would continue to use the Red Hill waste management facility as a commercial customer.

“Construction of the (WtE) plant has recently ramped up and the first waste will be delivered in December to commence the plant’s commissioning phase,” she said.

In a July 11 Facebook post, Swan deputy mayor Ian Johnson expressed his opposition of the city’s withdrawal from the EMRC and said the city would be charged higher waste fees because it was no longer a member council.

Mrs Richardson said the city intends to use a transfer station to reduce the need for long-haul trips by collection vehicles which would minimise operational costs and environmental impacts.

“Disposal via WtE is more cost-effective than landfill,” she said.

Ms Thomas said the funds received from Kalamunda’s EMRC withdrawal would be directed to its future projects strategic reserve.

“This reserve is designed to help diversify the city’s revenue streams and reduce long-term reliance on rates,” she said.

Ms McNeil said the council would determine the use of the shire’s equity in the EMRC once the value was determined, with payment due by June 30, 2027.

Mrs Richardson said Swan’s funds would be placed into reserve and the interest earnings would support capital development and infrastructure renewal programs.

“This will strengthen our capacity to deliver on supporting club upgrades, building renewals and expansions, along with many other demands the city receives,” Ms Thomas said.

In his Facebook post Cr Johnson said Swan’s equity in the EMRC was about $40 million.

He said the EMRC reserve should be returned to the ratepayers via a one-off rate rebate because the money was no longer needed for the purpose initially intended.

Echo News asked the EMRC what would happen to the Red Hill facility if the remaining councils withdrew their membership, what the benefits are in keeping the facility publicly funded and if there had been increases to the rate it charges members for waste management.

The EMRC is yet to respond to the questions.