The ACCC has granted interim authorisation to the Goulburn Valley Waste and Resource Recovery Group (GVWRRG) and North East Waste and Resource Recovery Group (NEWRRG), on behalf of themselves and 18 councils and alpine resort management boards located in regional areas (together, the Applicants) to allow the applicants to commence initial procurement processes for specific domestic kerbside waste and resource recovery services.
In their substantive application, the Applicants seek re-authorisation to collectively tender and contract for the provision of a range of waste and resource recovery services in the Goulburn Valley and North East regions — including but not limited to, domestic kerbside residual waste, recyclables and organic waste collection and transport; domestic kerbside recyclables acceptance and sorting; domestic kerbside organic waste acceptance and processing; residual waste disposal; and collection, processing and/or disposal of specific material streams from council-operated Resource Recovery Centres (for example, e-waste, clothing and textiles, mattresses and soft furnishings, and rigid and soft plastics).
Interim authorisation is granted to enable the Applicants to commence initial procurement process for specific domestic kerbside waste and resource recovery services given that a number of existing contracts made with the relevant councils are due to expire from February 2023. This is likely to minimise the risk of interruption of service, and result in reduced transaction costs, improved efficiencies and investment, increased competition and environmental benefits.
Interim authorisation protects the arrangements from legal action under the relevant provisions in the Act while the ACCC considers the merits of the substantive application for re-authorisation.
The ACCC expects to issue a draft determination in June 2022. Further information about the ACCC's interim authorisation and the substantive application for authorisation is available on the ACCC’s public register at: Goulburn Valley Waste and Resource Recovery Group and North East Waste and Resource Recovery Group.