Councils are responsible for providing essential waste and recycling collection services to households and managing the processing or disposal of collected waste.
Western Sydney is one of Australia’s fastest-growing communities. This rapid population growth and urbanisation is projected to see the region’s domestic waste production increase by 6% to 1 million tonnes by 2041.
In addition to a growing volume of waste to be managed, WSROC councils are facing a range of regulatory and operational challenges that require advocacy to state and federal governments including:
Waste infrastructure shortfalls
There is a shortage of waste and resource recovery infrastructure to process recycling and dispose garbage waste to landfill. By 2030, Sydney will face a critical shortage of landfill capacity – dramatically increasing the cost of waste services to communities.
As councils introduce food organics waste collections to households across NSW, there is a greater need for access to composting facilities in a manner that supports emission reductions.
Councils are willing to work with the NSW Government to ensure proper planning of waste and recycling facilities support our growing population and the delivery of new housing in all forms.
Funding challenges
WSROC is advocating for a greater return of waste levy funds to councils and those delivering waste and recycling services and infrastructure. It is critical that these funds be used as intended to ensure more waste is diverted from landfill and recycled.
Ensuring waste is recognised as an essential service
Despite the critical nature of waste collection, waste is not currently recognised as an essential service like water, sewage or electricity.
This critical service is not adequately considered in the planning and design of new infrastructure and communities. This issue is becoming increasingly challenging as our region increases in density and more planning approvals are fast-tracked via state planning pathways, leaving local government with little input to ensure safe and efficient services are provided.
Introduction of FOGO
The NSW Government has mandated the requirement for councils to introduce Food Organics Garden Organics (FOCO) services to each household by 2030. While WSROC supports this initiative as an important step in reducing emissions and waste to landfill, effective roll-out will be complex, and requires both financial and regulatory support to ensure:
- Community education and appropriate behavioural change
- Urban planning and design support FOGO service delivery
- Legislation supports the minimisation of chemical contamination in recycled FOGO composts
- The provision of adequate processing capacity for Sydney councils to recycle organic waste into compost products
Safe battery disposal
There has been a significant increase in fires in waste collection trucks and at waste management facilities from the incorrect disposal of batteries in waste and recycling bins and council collection services.
WSROC advocates for councils for suitable product stewardship policies and provision of appropriate disposal solutions for the community.
Further information:
● Submission to WSI (Western Sydney International Airport) Draft Masterplan September 2025
● Submission to WSI (Western Sydney International Airport) Draft Masterplan September 2025
● Federal Election Issues Brief (2025)
● Submission on Draft NSW Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan
● Submission to the NSW Net Zero Commission Consultation Paper (2025)
● Submission on NSW Industrial Lands Action Plan (2025)
● The Explanation of Intended Effect: Changes to create low- and mid-rise housing (2024)
● Submission to Review of the NSW Waste Levy Issues Paper (2024)
● Submission to Food and Garden Organics Mandates: Proposal Paper
● NSW Election Issues Brief (2023)
● Submission to Explanation of intended effects for a Design and Place SEPP (2021)
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