Aboriginal Communities Waste Management Program

Program snapshot

Category: Regional Delivery grants

Amounts: Total of $4,000,000 over 4 years

Eligible bodies: NSW Local Aboriginal Land Councils and other entities working in partnership with a Local Aboriginal Land Council

Contact: aboriginal.programs@epa.nsw.gov.au

Status: Round 2 Expression of Interest closed 2nd November 2018 (Final round)

Managed by: NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

Aims

The Aboriginal Communities Waste Management Program aims to reduce litter and waste, and increase amenity of discrete Aboriginal communities (former missions/reserves) across NSW. This four-year program runs from 2017 to 2021.

The program has a total of $4 million, to be invested in the planning and delivery of waste management projects in Aboriginal communities across NSW.  There are 61 discrete communities across NSW which are eligible for the program.

The program aims to

  • reduce bulky waste, litter and illegally dumped waste
  • develop effective waste management systems through service delivery agreements and improved infrastructure
  • reduce safety and health risks by establishing a clean physical environment
  • build and maintain effective working relationships and partnerships between communities, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, local government and waste service providers to improve waste management practices in the future

The program is an initiative of the EPA, in collaboration with Aboriginal Affairs NSW, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, NSW Health, Rural Fire Service NSW and Local Government NSW.

Funding stages

The Aboriginal Communities Waste Management Program is delivered in three stages.  The Expression of Interest is Stage 1 and requires LALCs and their communities to collect basic information on their waste management issues and assess their need for assistance and interest in participating in the program.  Successful EOI applicants will be invited to take part in the next stages of the program.

Stage 2 involves engagement with the community to develop and design a community waste management plan. It includes employment of a project manager and a community engagement advisor. Six to twelve months is allocated for this stage and $25,000 funding.

Stage 3 involves the delivery of the Community rubbish management plan.  It may include clean-up of rubbish, purchase of infrastructure, changes to services to improve rubbish management, local employment and education activities.  An agreed funding amount for stage 3 will be negotiated at the end of stage 2.  Funding up to $100,000 is available, and up to 18 months for delivery of this stage.

Successful recipients round 1

The following communities and organisations were successful in receiving funding in the first round of the program.

Community name Organisation
 Cabarita Avenue  Waste Aid and Forster Local Aboriginal Land Council 
 Clara Hart Village  Waste Aid and Murrawari Local aboriginal land Council 
 Gingie Road  Waste Aid and Walgett Local Aboriginal Land Council
 Green Hills Mission  Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land Council
 Gulargambone  Weilwan Local Aboriginal Land Council
 Jubullum Village   Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council
 Malabugilmah  Jana Ngalee Local Aboriginal Land Council
 Mallee

 Wilcannia Local Aboriginal Land Council

 Mehi Crescent  Moree Local Aboriginal Land Council
 Moonahcullah Mission   Deniliquin Local Aboriginal Land Council
 Murrin Bridge  Murrin Bridge Local Aboriginal Land Council
 Namoi  Waste Aid and Walgett Local Aboriginal Land Council
 Narwon Village  Armidale Local Aboriginal Land Council
 Stanley Village  Moree Local Aboriginal Land Council
 Warrali   Wilcannia Local Aboriginal Land Council
 Weilmoringle   Weilmoringle Local Aboriginal Land Council

Successful recipients round 2

The following communities were successful in receiving funding for Stage 2 in Round 2 of the program.

Community name Organisation
Baryulgil Square Baryulgil Local Aboriginal Land Council
Bellwood Nambucca Heads Local Aboriginal Land Council 
Brungle Brungle Tumut Local Aboriginal Land Council
Cabbage Tree Island Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council
Namatjira Ave and New Merinee Dareton Local Aboriginal Land Council
New Burnt Bridge Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land Council
Purfleet Purfleet Taree Local Aboriginal Land Council
Red Rock Camp

Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council

Roseby Park Orient Point ALL Sustainable Futures Inc
Summervale Amaroo Local Aboriginal Land Council
Toomelah Many Rivers Regional Housing
Walhallow Reserve Walhallow Local Aboriginal Land Council
Wongala Estate Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council

Program resources

Community Rubbish Management Plan Guidelines

The Community Rubbish Management Plan Guidelines will assist communities to develop a waste management plan for their community.  The guidelines will help you identify where you are today, where you want to be and how you are going to get there. The guidelines are used by communities participating in the EPA Aboriginal Communities Waste Management Program. 

The Story of Waste

For over 60,000 years, Aboriginal people from all parts of Australia have lived with an intimate connection to their land and the resources they use. The Story of Waste looks at how our use of resources has changed in the past 100 years and the impacts this is having on Country.  The manual was developed for the Community Engagement Advisor 2-day training that is facilitated through the EPA Aboriginal Communities Waste Management Program. 

A Deadly Sort: Rubbish and Recycling Education Games

Getting people excited about rubbish can be hard, so we’ve got some games to make it fun and interactive.  The target age for the games is 7 to 17, however many adults will enjoy them also. We hope you have a lot of fun playing them together!

The games support the Story of Waste and the Community Engagement Advisor 2-day training that is facilitated through the EPA Aboriginal Communities Waste Management Program.

More information

Education and Programs Branch
Email: aboriginal.programs@epa.nsw.gov.au,



Page last updated