Agenda Item 10.3

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 3 OCTOBER 2016, IN THE ALICE SPRINGS TOWN COUNCIL ARUNTA ROOM

1. PRESENT Mayor Damien RyanCouncillor Eli Melky (chair)Mr. Jimmy Cocking - ALEC Ms Caragh Heenan -Land For Wildlife

IN ATTENDANCE Mr. Rex Mooney - ASTC Chief Executive OfficerMr. Greg Buxton-ASTC Director Technical ServicesMr. Reinier Laan - ASTC Manager Waste Management FacilityMs Hayley Michener - ASTC Environment OfficerMrs Joanne Craven - ASTC Executive Assistant (Minutes)

NON-ATTENDANCE Mr David Koch - Community MemberMr. Rod Cramer - Rural Area Association Mr. Martin O’Neil - PWCMr Peter Bannister - NT Environmental Protection Authority Mr. Sunil Dhanji - Landcare

2. APOLOGIES Councillor Jade KudrenkoMr Peter Somerville - Manager, NTG Lands, Planning and DevelopmentMs Sarah Fairhead - NTG Land and Resource Management Mr. Robbie Henderson - Community Member Ms Ee Ling Chia (Phoebe) - Youth member Ms Alex Kelly - Community Member

The meeting opened at 5.37pm

Note: A quorum was not present at this meeting.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING 2 AUGUST 2016

Moved: Jimmy Cocking Seconded: Mayor Ryan

3.1 BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

3.1.1 Mayor Ryan expressed his disappointment with the wording under item 3.1 - Updates from the Chair. The minutes state that a recommendation on fracking was lost in Council; the original recommendation was lost however an alternate recommendation was carried by Council.

The minutes are to be amended to reflect that a subsequent recommendation was put forward and carried by Council. Refer to attached resolution number 18680.

3.1.2 Jimmy Cocking apologies for not sending round the Mountain Bike Master Plan as per item 5 - Transport and will forward the information onto the Committee. Jimmy enquired if this could be placed on the agenda next meeting for discussion?Discussion ensued.

161003 EAC Agenda Item 10.3Page2

ActionThat the Mountain Bike Master Plan be placed on the agenda next meeting for discussion and that an appropriate representative from NT Tourism is invited to attend the next EAC and present on the topic.

3.1.3 Other Business - Item 12.4 Sheet Flow Policy. The Director Technical Services advised the Committee that Council does not have a sheet flow policy but work under DCA using Australian standards.

4. UPDATES FROM THE CHAIR - RECOMMENDATION FROM COUNCIL

4.1 Recommendations from Previous EAC Meeting

Nil

4.2 Climate Change PolicyThe Committee Member who put forward the recommendation on climate change was an apology for this meeting and the Committee felt it would be more beneficial to discussion this item with him and a quorum.Mayor Ryan advised the Committee that the ALGA climate change policy would be released by early November 2016.

4.3 Fracking RecommendationThis item has been discussion in business arising - refer to item 3.1.1.The Chief Executive Officer advised that from the alternative decision made by the Council, a letter was sent to the Chief Minister’s Office and the response was tabled (refer to attached letter).Discussion ensued regarding the Hawke Report, change of Ministers/ Government and new EPA regulations released.

5. TRANSPORT• Jimmy enquired as to what this Committee could do to make Alice Springs a mountain

biking friendly town• Suggested inviting mountain biking groups to attend the next meeting for them to indicate

what we could possibly implement or do to make it better for mountain biking within the town.

• Mayor Ryan enquired to who the author was of the Mountain Bike Master plan? Jimmy advised that it was a contractor engaged by Tourism NT that developed the master plan.

• Councillor Melky suggested dedicated bicycle lanes within the CBD as a discussion point. The Director Technical Services advised that a report has been submitted to Council before regarding bicycle lanes within the CBD and found that our road are not wide enough and would not comply with Australia standards.

• Councillor Melky also suggested a bicycle tour/ hire company. Mayor Ryan advised that a new company has just opening in the Mall next door to the old Don Thomas shop which supplies bicycles for hire and offer self-guided tours.

• Jimmy enquired if Council was still considering the purchase of an electric vehicle? Mayor Ryan advised that it was not in the budget for this year. Jimmy also enquired if the power

161003 EAC Agenda Item 10.3Page3

point was still to be installed on the carport structure? The Director Technical Services advised that yes this is still to be installed once works are complete.

6 ENERGY

6.1 Solar - Hayley Michener• The carport solar system installation has been completed• PWC connection pending.

7. WATER

7.1 Alice Springs Water Allocation Plan - Sarah Fairhead• The Northern Territory Government has committed to a consultative approach to water

allocations and licencing as part of its Sustainable Water Use policy.• Members for the Alice Springs Water Advisory Committee were advertised in late March

2016 through an expression of interest process.• Proposed membership of the ASWAC has recently been provided to the Hon. Lauren

Moss MLA, Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, for approval to appoint. The Committee will provide advice and recommendations to the Department on the implementation of the 2016 Alice Springs Water Allocation Plan, including its 5-yearly review.

• The Northern Territory Government through its Sustainable Water Policy has also committed to an arms-length review of water extraction licences issued since August 2012. The management of the review will be advised by the Department of the Chief Minister, who will coordinate its delivery.

7.2 RowerWater Update• No update was provided

8. WASTE & RECYCLING

8.1 Regional Waste Management Facility (operational) - Reinier Laan

RecyclingTotal Waste: Total waste minus clean fill collected at the Regional Waste Management Facility (RWMF) for the July to August 2016 period was 4,431.79 tonnes (Table 1). The total waste collected over the same period for 2015 was 3,374.68 tonnes.

Total Recycled: Total recycled material for July to August 2016 period was 3,434.64 tonnes compared to 152.56 tonnes for the 2015 financial period (Table 1).

Percentage Recycled: Total percentage of materials recycled between July and August (2016) was 77.5% (Table 1). The percentage recycled material over the same period in 2014/2015 financial period was 4.52 % (Table 1).

Table 1: Breakdown of items and recycled material through the weighbridge displayed as yearly accumulated data for the 2014 and 2015 financial period.

161003 EAC Agenda Item 10.3Page4

July 2015- August 2015

July 2016- August 2016

TonnesIN

TonnesOUT

TonnesIN

TonnesOUT

Animal Carcass 0.44 1.21Asbestos 13.74 17.32Building Material 1.16 17.98Cardboard & Paper 3.28 3.56 34.62 4.86ChemicalsClean Fill 2,795.00 1,849.74Concrete 237.84 20.70 447.18 3,160.99Container DepositCouncil SupportedDemolition Materials 496.71 868.31Domestic Bins 899.30 882.00Drop off Zone* (Shop) 12.83 18.59Electronic waste 0.72 9.48Glass ** 16.54 14.22 9.57Green Waste 219.39 91.34 386.62 31.20Household Goods 7.28 1.76Liquid Waste 96.10 170.60Mattresses 3.75 1.47 6.93 0.36Metals *** 26.15 59.79 188.07Mixed Waste **** 1,314.29 1,483.97Timber & Pallets 46.20 53.42 10.83Tyres 0.23 0.77Total 6,169.68 152.56 6,281.53 3,434.64Total minus clean fill 3,374.68 4,431.79Percentage recycled 4.52% 77.50%

Concrete tonnage out has been higher than normal due to the Albrecht Oval Car Park project.

Mayor Ryan enquired about costs and would like to see a breakdown of what is the cost to Council for the product to be crushed and what does Council receive for the crushed product?The Director Technical Services took on notice to supply costing at the next meeting. Discussion ensued regarding the reporting fields, new paper and cardboard facility and tonnage amounts in and out.

Cash-for-ContainersThe total numbers of bottles collected up to date for 2016 at the Regional Waste Management facility were 41,266.00 (Figure 1).

161003 EAC Agenda Item 10.3Page5

Figure 1: Break-down of the monthly wine and spirit bottles collected at the Regional Waste Management Facility

Bottles collected at the RWMF for 2015/2016

^ z y z y .y z y z y' <c

I 2016/2017 i2015/2016

Year July August September October November December January February March April May June YTD2016/2017 15,448.00 12,809.00 13,009.00 41,266.002015/2016 16,436.00 22,762.00 16,779.00 15,185.00 12,059.00 10,467.00 13,658.00 7,454.00 9,864.00 11,749.00 15,860.00 11,570.00 163,843.00

E-wasteE-waste has shown downward trend since 2015 (Figure 2).

Free disposal of computers and televisions is available to the public on the first Saturday of each month through the National Television and Computer Stewardship Program. The next e-waste free drop off day will be on Saturday the 5th November 2016.

=igure 2:Electronic Waste Recycled at the RWMF

Recycled E -waste

2012 2013 2014 2015 20162010 2011

Date 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Tonnes 9.98 26.01 13.92 26.96 74.95 35.9 9

161003 EAC Agenda Item 10.3Page6

8.2 Recycling Initiatives - Kerbside Recycling - Mayor Ryan• Council engaged consultants SLR global environmental solutions to prepare a waste and

resource recovery strategy.• The final report has been submitted however needs to be approved through Council

before releasing.• Within the waste strategy report it provides information, timeframes and costings on

kerbside recycling.• At this stage Council is investigating and developing a plan to possibly implement

kerbside

9. LAND

9.1 Bush Fire Management• The climate outlook from the Bureau of Meteorology for the next few months indicates a

neutral El Nino/ La Nina, and a negative Indian Ocean Dipole, meaning above average rainfall in both Northern and Southern regions over the spring period.

• A lot of rain will change the fuel load, and we will assess what this means for the fire season as it happens. Big rains over summer may mean increased risks next year. In some areas this year there are isolated spots of greater than normal grass growth, and some areas, like the Simpson, has below normal growth.

• On the 31st of August the Bushfires & Natural Hazards CRC released the Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for 2016 in conjunction with Bushfires NT and other stakeholders. The assessment for Central Australia indicates a normal fire season for the majority of Southern NT, except for areas like the Simpson and Finke where a below normal fire season is predicted. However if, as predicted, summer rains continue we will see this return to normal. Bushfires NT will continually assess the season and resource to risk as appropriate. Current curing rates are low and no fire danger period has been brought in to effect as yet. Once conditions dry and the vegetation becomes readily available to burn we will reassess this status.

• Discussion ensued regarding fuel loads within the municipality.

9.2 COMMUNITY GARDENS - Jimmy Cocking• Springs fair held on Sunday 2 October 2016• Over 250 people through the doors so hopefully making this an annual event• Solar pergola installed and permit obtained - Pending electric being connected to site• Jimmy to send details of installation to Council as the landowner• Invitation to be sent once solar pergola up and running• Website currently being revamped

9.3 Feral Cats - Hayley Michener• Land for Wildlife has purchased 20 new cat traps and Council has 10 extra traps being

purchased following a successful grant submission.

161003 EAC Agenda Item 10.3Page?

10. Roadmap to a desertSMART Town - Deferred pending working group• Jimmy advised the Committee that Repower and Territory Generator are having ongoing

discussion regarding developing and building a Renewable Strategy Roadmap.

11. CORRESPONDENCE

Nil

12. OTHER BUSINESS

12.1 Events - Hayley Michener• Ride to Work day is on Monday 12 October 2016• Being held on the Council lawns• Mayor Ryan enquired to the Super Bike Count which he has been involved in for many

years however this year found he could not register online and got no responses back when trying to contact.

• Hayley advised that all 12 sites were filled this year for the bike count and the final report is due shortly.

NEXT MEETING: Monday 5 December 2016

Meeting closed at 6.40pm

ALICE SPRINGS TOWN COUNCIL RECORD OF DECISION

COUNCIL MEETING 27 JUNE 2016

Please refer to instructions in the Footer Note

(>?re£^

14. Central Australian Frack Free Alliance

Moved Councillor Melky Seconded Councillor Kudrenko

That the EAC recommends to Council that It supports the establishment of a ‘no-go’ zone for shale gas fracturing activities through the drinking water aquifer for Alice Springs In the Amadeus Basin.

LOST (18680)Discussion ensued regarding water protection and a broader perspective rather than protection of a specific supply.A division was requested.

For Against

Cr Melky Mayor Ryan

Cr Kudrenko Cr deBrenni

Cr Price

Cr Heenan

Cr Douglas

Cr BrownMoved Councillor Melky Seconded Councillor Douglas

That Council call on the Northern Territory Government to protect the Alice Springs water supply now and into the future.

CARRIED (18681)

The Responsible Officer Is required to action, make appropriate notes In TRIM and sign off on each Council Decision In the TRIM System.Once completed, you are required to forward this document to the CEO’s Executive Assistant so the Council Decision can be recorded as completed.

CHIEF MINISTER

Parliament House State Square Darwin NT 0800 chief.minisler@nt.qov.ou

His Worship the Mayor of Alice Springs Mr Damien Ryan PO Box 1071ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871

DearMayofRyan

Thank you for your letter dated 25 July 2015 in which you raise concerns about water protection in the Alice Springs region.

The Northern Territory Government (NTG) understands there are concerns about the emerging oil and gas industry in the Northern Territory and is doing everything necessary to enable sustainable resource development for Territorians.

:

In November 2015 the NTG announced measures to protect areas of significance against future oil and gas exploration. Exploration will not he allowed in:

o urban residential and rural residential areas o areas of cultural significance o areas of intensive agriculture o areas of high ecological valueo areas which include assets of strategic importance to nearby residential

areas.

In addition to this, there is currently a Reserve Block (exclusion zone) within the Alice Springs town boundary. It should also be noted that no exploration activity can be undertaken in an exploration permit unless an Environment Management Plan has been approved by the Department of Mines and Energy. A company must provide a detailed assessment of how they plan to manage their activities and in particular where water aquifers may be an issue. Assessments are undertaken by technical experts from the Department of Mines and Energy and Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority.

NORTHERNTERRITORYSOWRNMENT

m