1. A background to the topic
“There is no single ‘right answer’ to solid waste management; rather, a mix of measures and approaches. The solutions that will work in your city have to fit your own circumstances.” (Eduljee, 2010)
Waste is a problem without boundaries since the evolution of humankind. Nations all over the world have taken several implementations in order to reduce the impact of waste. But the issue continues in a rapid way limiting the opportunities and wellbeing of the future generations. Waste management practices in rural Australia are highly questionable according to the Environmental protection Authority (EPA) and sustainability requirements. Most of these areas still practice conventional methods of waste management.
Ararat …show more content…
All locations have low quality facilities with low security, limited waste separation activities and potential customer and staff safety risk. Also Ararat Rural City Council’s (ARCC) transfer stations run at a significant financial loss, mainly due to staffing costs but also due to travel distance required for contractor collection of materials. Most of the landfills in transfer stations are unlicensed and have a higher environmental risk to the city council as well as a legal risk from perspective of Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). A landfill such as Pomonal has a future capacity of 1 – 2 years and council face the challenge of finding alternatives to the possible closure. On the other hand most of the landfill areas have bad covers and the council have to resolve that issue too.
In response to these concerns and risks, Ararat Rural City Council (ARCC) is planning to investigate the feasibility of the following solutions:
• Convert eight existing transfer stations to a smaller number of sites. This includes the possibility site closures, site rehabilitation and providing alternative ways to deliver the services locally and at regional level.
• Develop a local or regional based Super Transfer station. This includes exploring possible services, logistics and design, planning and environment …show more content…
Proposed project is likely to increase the amount they pay for waste. Does the community prefer it? What is the feasible cost range to the residential community?
• What is their perception towards the existing waste separation activities?
• Are there any NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) issues? NIMBY means the paradox that occurs when citizens call for more public facilities, but then fail to support the construction of such facilities when they are located near their home. (Johnson & Scicchitano, 2012)
• What are the Willingness to Pay and Willingness to accept levels?
• How the community perceive the idea of super transfer station?
A social research to identify the characteristics of community interest towards the proposed project should be conducted at the initial and operational phases of the project. The research findings will be important to decide to whether the council should modify the existing facilities or introduce a ‘super transfer station’ facility or continue the facilities as they are now.
3. Proposed research question:
What are the resident perceptions towards the proposed transfer station project in Ararat rural
“There is no single ‘right answer’ to solid waste management; rather, a mix of measures and approaches. The solutions that will work in your city have to fit your own circumstances.” (Eduljee, 2010)
Waste is a problem without boundaries since the evolution of humankind. Nations all over the world have taken several implementations in order to reduce the impact of waste. But the issue continues in a rapid way limiting the opportunities and wellbeing of the future generations. Waste management practices in rural Australia are highly questionable according to the Environmental protection Authority (EPA) and sustainability requirements. Most of these areas still practice conventional methods of waste management.
Ararat …show more content…
All locations have low quality facilities with low security, limited waste separation activities and potential customer and staff safety risk. Also Ararat Rural City Council’s (ARCC) transfer stations run at a significant financial loss, mainly due to staffing costs but also due to travel distance required for contractor collection of materials. Most of the landfills in transfer stations are unlicensed and have a higher environmental risk to the city council as well as a legal risk from perspective of Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). A landfill such as Pomonal has a future capacity of 1 – 2 years and council face the challenge of finding alternatives to the possible closure. On the other hand most of the landfill areas have bad covers and the council have to resolve that issue too.
In response to these concerns and risks, Ararat Rural City Council (ARCC) is planning to investigate the feasibility of the following solutions:
• Convert eight existing transfer stations to a smaller number of sites. This includes the possibility site closures, site rehabilitation and providing alternative ways to deliver the services locally and at regional level.
• Develop a local or regional based Super Transfer station. This includes exploring possible services, logistics and design, planning and environment …show more content…
Proposed project is likely to increase the amount they pay for waste. Does the community prefer it? What is the feasible cost range to the residential community?
• What is their perception towards the existing waste separation activities?
• Are there any NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) issues? NIMBY means the paradox that occurs when citizens call for more public facilities, but then fail to support the construction of such facilities when they are located near their home. (Johnson & Scicchitano, 2012)
• What are the Willingness to Pay and Willingness to accept levels?
• How the community perceive the idea of super transfer station?
A social research to identify the characteristics of community interest towards the proposed project should be conducted at the initial and operational phases of the project. The research findings will be important to decide to whether the council should modify the existing facilities or introduce a ‘super transfer station’ facility or continue the facilities as they are now.
3. Proposed research question:
What are the resident perceptions towards the proposed transfer station project in Ararat rural