At the Yass Valley Council meeting held on Wednesday, May 27, Councillor Butler successfully amended the motion on garbage vouchers to include a requirement that Council reduce its waste being transferred to the Jugiong regional landfill facility by 20 per cent.

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Butler said he was pleased that Council has supported his proposal to look at the big picture and reduce the waste the Shire is sending to landfill.

"This will have two main benefits. First, it will reduce the impact caused to the environment by waste generation. Second, it will reduce the cost to Council incurred to collect and transport that waste," he said. 

"This will allow Council to pass on savings to local residents in the form of a reduction in garbage disposal costs, as well as defraying the cost of the voucher scheme."

While the details are yet to be confirmed, Councillor Butler has some suggestions to help achieve this reduction. 

"It is clear that Council can only achieve this reduction with the help of the people of the Yass Valley. We need to educate and encourage the community on the topic," he said. 

"I envisage a two-level incentive scheme to make the reduction happen. First, there should be a reduction in overall garbage rates charged by Council funded from part of the savings achieved. Second, if residents can reduce the number of times they put out their waste bins for collection, then they should receive a further reduction in garbage rate charges on an individual basis.

"Council needs to increase the focus on what we need to achieve now in order to best position ourselves for the future needs of our residents. This is a step in that journey," Councillor Butler concluded.