2025-06-02
Ballina Shire Council has been awarded $34,200 by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to help deliver innovative local waste and recycling solutions, supporting the state’s transition to a circular economy.
The Creating a Circular Clothing Community project will Help divert textile waste from landfill by working with local and regional partners to shift community behaviours and promote reuse and repair.
This is one of 13 successful projects, led by councils and regional waste groups, to share in $2.9 million as part of the EPA’s Local Government Waste Solutions (LGWS) Fund program.
The funding will help deliver circular waste solutions across a diverse range of projects like eliminating waste in construction works and council operations, trialing services to divert waste from landfill and researching new technology to help recover or reuse materials.
Round four of the LGWS fund is planned to open in September 2025.
Individual councils, a group of councils, or regional waste groups in the waste levy paying area are eligible to apply. Individual councils can apply for up to $200,000 in funding, and groups of two or more councils can apply for up to $400,000 in funding.
For more information on Round 3 grantees and to learn how to apply for Round 4 visit: Local Government Waste Solutions Fund | EPA
Quote attributable to Tamara Smith MP, Member for Ballina
“It’s fantastic to see Ballina Shire Council awarded funding for their Creating a Circular Clothing Community which will help minimise waste, keep valuable resources out of landfill and drive NSW towards a circular economy.”
“We know clothing waste is a major pollutant. I will be excited to follow along as this program gets underway.”
“I look forward to seeing the exciting opportunities this opens for Ballina communities. Moving to a circular economy not only protects our environment into the future but also strengthens communities and local economies.”
Quote attributable to NSW EPA Executive Director of Programs and Innovation, Alexandra Geddes:
“NSW is on the cusp of a waste crisis with Greater Sydney’s landfill space predicted to run out by 2030. We need to work with councils and communities to plan for, design and pilot new ways of managing, recovering and reusing waste.
“This funding aims to tackle local waste and resource recovery challenges by delivering innovative community-specific solutions.
“Councils and waste groups are at the forefront of managing waste for their communities and they are pivotal to our transition to a circular economy.”
MEDIA CONTACT – Tamara Smith MP– 0427 664 696