Advisory Input at All Levels of Government
Ministerial Level Public Policy and Strategy
Waste Management Strategy and AWT Tender Processes
Consulting Assignments in Waste Management
Industry Bodies & Associations

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Advisory Input at All Levels of Government

Our professional work in waste and environment management has involved strategic and policy advice to all three levels of Government in Australia. We have been thought-leaders in the environment sector and instrumental in setting the strategic agenda in our key areas of competency. The extent of our involvement with various levels of Government is evidenced through our advice to:

  • State Government Ministers, for Public Inquiries and direct policy advice.
  • Statutory Boards of State agencies and GTEs, for direct policy advice.
  • State and Territory agencies, for environment management strategy and advice.
  • Local Government bodies and groupings, for waste management strategy and tender processes.
  • Regional Waste Boards, for waste management strategy.
  • Regional Organisation of Councils, for regional infrastructure strategy and planning in waste management.
  • Commonwealth Government for development of the Action Agenda for the environment industry.
  • Commonwealth Government Minister, for policy advice on environment management initiatives.

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Ministerial Level Public Policy and Strategy

Projects in which we have had the opportunity to work at the highest levels within government to influence the sustainable environment management reform agenda at State and national level:

State Public Inquiries – at Chair and Commissioner Level

Public Inquiry for NSW Minister for the Environment

  • Alternative Waste Management Technologies and Practices Inquiry. 1999/00.

Public Inquiry for NSW Minister for Planning

  • Independent Public Assessment, Landfill Capacity and Demand. 2000.

Public Inquiry for NSW Minister for Infrastructure and Planning

  • Independent Expert Review, HCB Waste Disposal. 2003/05.

Public Inquiry for NSW Minister for Infrastructure and Planning

  • Commission of Inquiry – Expansion of Port Botany. 2004/05.

Ministerial Policy Advice – Direct Advice

Policy Advice for NSW Minister for the Environment

  • Advisory Group Member for development of Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act. 2001.

Policy Advice for NSW Minister for the Environment

  • Advisory Group Member for implementation of Alternative Waste Management Technologies and Practices Inquiry Report. 2001.

Policy Advice for NSW Minister for Planning

  • Independent Assessment of Ravensworth Waste Management Proposal. 2002.

Policy Advice for Australian Minister for Environment and Heritage

  • Independent representative on the Statutory Council for Ministerial advice on the management of used oil.

Statutory Board Policy Advice – Direct Advice

Board of Resource NSW

  • Invited public discussion paper - “Shaping the Vision and Strategy for Sustainable Waste Management in NSW”. 2002. This provided the framework, targets and original thinking for the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy.

Board of Resource NSW (for Cabinet)

  • Independent Cost and Impact Assessment of (then draft) Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy. 2002.

Board of Waste Service NSW

  • Invited paper and Board briefing: Trends and Opportunities for Sustainable
    Waste Management. 2003.

Government Agency – Policy & Strategy Advice

Environment Protection Authority Qld.

  • Development of strategy to improve the sustainability of for mainstream industry in Queensland. 2001

Department of Environment & Heritage – Department of Industry Science & Tourism

  • Development of overall strategy and strategic initiatives for the Environment Industry Action Agenda. 2002

Department of Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources NSW

  • Member of the Ministerial Sustainability Advisory Council that developed the BASIX sustainability performance criteria for buildings. 2004.
  • Preparation of a waste infrastructure strategy for NSW. 2005.

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Waste Management Strategy and AWT Tender Processes

Projects where we have worked with leading clients at Government agency and Local Government level to develop strategy for sustainable waste management and/or to guide tender processes for Alternative Waste Technology projects as part of an integrated strategy:

  1. Coffs Harbour City Council, NSW
    - Waste management strategy. 2001.
    - EOI preparation and assessment panel. 2002.
    - Performance specification for AWT. 2003.
    - Tender requirements and assessment panel for AWT. 2003/04.
     
  2. Nambucca and Bellingen Councils, NSW
    - Waste management strategy options and evaluation. 2003.
    - Tender development and assessment panel for AWT (with CHCC). 2003/04.
     
  3. Waste Service, NSW
    - Tender assessment panel for AWT. 2002/03
     
  4. Urban Services Department, ACT
    - EOI assessment panel for AWT. 2001.
    - Landfill establishment and operating costs review. 2003.
    - Comparative cost assessment – sustainable waste management. 2001.
     
  5. Gosford City Council, NSW
    - Waste management strategy. 2003.
    - EOI preparation, call management and assessment panel for AWT. 2003.
    - Tender review panel – waste sorting and diversion. 2004
     
  6. Lower Hunter Councils, NSW (Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland)
    - AWT tender commercial principles. 2001.
    - Tender assessment panel for AWT. 2002/03.
    - Financial and recovery modelling, AWT and logistics tender options. 2002/03.
    - Financial sensitivity of time based variations in organic fraction in waste. 2003.
     
  7. Shoalhaven Council, NSW
    - Waste management strategy. 2003.
     
  8. Mackay City Council, Queensland
    - EOI assessment panel for AWT/Landfill. 2003.
     
  9. Southern Region Waste Resource Authority, South Australia
    - Independent review of a specific AWT proposal. 2003.
     
  10. Onkaparinga City Council, South Australia
    - Waste management strategy. 2004-05.
    - Garden and organic waste management. 2005.
    - Integrated waste management systems. 2005.
     
  11. Brisbane City Council, Qld.
    - Impacts of future waste management and resource recovery systems on operating service contracts. 2005
     
  12. Bega Valley Shire Council, NSW
    - Review of waste strategy. 2004.
    - Assessment of sites for regional waste facility. 2004
     
  13. Orange City Council, NSW.
    - Peer review of EIS for regional waste facility. 2005.
     
  14. Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, NSW.
    - Peer review of tender and contract documentation for regional processing of recyclables. 2004.
    - Peer review of tender and contract documentation for regional disposal of residual waste. 2004.
    - Strategic review of regional infrastructure and services for waste management and resource recovery. 2005.

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Consulting Assignments in Waste Management

Projects where we have advised various clients on policy, business and technology issues in the quest for sustainable environment and waste management:

  1. NSW Regional Waste Boards
    - Strategic options for improved kerbside recycling. 1999, 2000.
     
  2. EPA South Australia
    - Review of draft waste strategy for South Australia. 1999.
     
  3. Sydney City Council
    - Assessment of waste management business viability. 2001.
    - Trade sale of landfill and associated assets. 2001.
     
  4. Department of Environmental Protection, WA
    - Independent review of a specific technology proposal. 2000.
     
  5. Various finance sector clients
    - Due diligence reviews of various waste management and technology companies. 1999-2003.
    - Market Report, Solid Waste Processing Using Alternative Technologies. 2002.
    - Analysis of Business Investment Opportunities, Water and Waste Management. 2001, 2002.
    - Local Government Waste Infrastructure Requirements. 2003.
     
  6. Western Sydney Waste Board
    - Development of business case for Drive Through Recycling concept. 2000.
     
  7. Southern Sydney Waste Board
    - Development and testing, retail sector resource recovery services. 2000,2001.
     
  8. Southern Sydney Waste Board
    - Development and testing of waste management structural reform options. 1999.
     
  9. Macarthur Waste Board
    - Strategy Review and development of Strategic Direction. 1998.
     
  10. Inner Sydney Waste Board
    - EOI assessment for receipt, processing and sale of recyclables.

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Industry Bodies & Associations

Tony Wright and Paul Howlett both have extensive experience leading and working with a diverse range of industry bodies, with a strong emphasis on infrastructure and environment management. This practical experience brings a high-level of understanding of the workings and roles of industry bodies, the interface between those bodies and third parties and the critical issues of managing the business interests of their members. The following table presents a summary of some of these bodies and roles.

Organisation Roles Functions & Activities
Waste Management Association of Australia President Lead the growth of a relatively new national association, developing protocols, strategic directions, positions with state and federal governments and building membership
Australian & New Zealand Clinical & Related Wastes Association Chair Brought together diverse industry players to form a new national association to establish industry practice codes and influence regulatory frameworks across the country
Australian Underground Construction & Tunnelling Association President Co-ordinated the business and professional interests of companies engaged un underground construction, establishing work practices and industry standards
Environment Management Industry Association of Australia Chairman and Deputy Chairman Inaugural parties to the formation of this industry body established to influence government decision-makers on behalf of the environment management industry
Australian Water Association Member Technical input to industry standards and work practices
Waste Contractors & Recyclers Association Consultant Development of industry practice guidelines and negotiation of these with regulatory authorities to establish uniform regulatory regimes
Construction & Property Services Industry Skills Council Director Oversight of development of national competency standards and skills for employees in the property services sector – waste, cleaning, construction, security, pest control, and the construction industry
Environment Business Australia Deputy Chairman Providing strategic leadership in the direction and influencing activities of the environment industry sector
EnviroAust Conventions Managing Director Brought together six industry associations to collaborate in the delivery of a biennial trade exhibition and conference in 2000, 2002 and 2004, and 2006
Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy Branch President Leadership of the Sydney Branch and participation on the tertiary education accreditation panel for the mining professions
Australia Electrical & Electronic Manufacturers Association Panel Judge Evaluation of nominations for annual manufacturing excellence awards, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability
Packaging & Retail Industry Associations Facilitator Assembled a collaboration between several diverse industry associations to establish a negotiating position with local, state and federal governments in the lead-up to the Packaging Covenant

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