WMRR WELCOMES NSW'S FIRST WASTE AND CIRCULAR INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

23 October 2025

The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) today welcomed the NSW Government’s release of the first chapter of the NSW Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan, describing it as a vital and long-overdue step towards building the infrastructure needed to support a circular economy.

“This announcement marks an important milestone that reflects years of advocacy from industry for a coordinated and strategic approach to waste and resource recovery infrastructure planning in NSW,” said WMRR’s CEO, Ms Gayle Sloan.

“WMRR has long called for a state-led, strategic infrastructure plan that provides clear direction and certainty for investment in essential waste and resource recovery facilities,” Ms Sloan said

“Waste infrastructure is as critical to a functioning economy as roads, energy and water. Without it, our communities and businesses cannot effectively manage materials, recycle valuable resources, or transition to a circular economy.”

Ms Sloan said the inclusion of Energy from Waste (EfW) in the plan is a particularly welcome and pragmatic recognition by the NSW Government of the role modern, best-practice EfW technology plays as part of a systems-based solution for managing residual waste.

“It is encouraging to see the Government acknowledge that Energy from Waste has a clear role in the infrastructure mix,” Ms Sloan said. 

“This approach recognises that not all materials can be recycled and that we need a suite of solutions — including EfW — to responsibly manage residual waste, reduce landfill reliance, and extract value from materials that would otherwise be lost.” 

She added that the new strategic approach will help shift the conversation around waste infrastructure from one-off, reactive approvals to a more integrated, forward-looking planning framework.

“It is essential that waste and recycling infrastructure is recognised for its critical importance within the broader planning narrative. Facilities should not have to argue, one by one, for their right to exist — they are the backbone of a sustainable economy and community,” Ms Sloan said.

“This plan gives industry and investors a clearer picture of where and how facilities can be developed, and that’s exactly what’s needed to attract the investment required to meet NSW’s growing needs.”

WMRR also welcomed the Government’s commitment to streamline planning processes, establish a waste infrastructure concierge, and create an independent advisory committee to support strategic infrastructure delivery.

“These initiatives will go a long way toward reducing uncertainty and enabling the private and public sectors to work together to deliver the infrastructure we need — safely, efficiently, and with strong environmental safeguards,” Ms Sloan said.

WMRR looks forward to engaging closely with the NSW Government as future chapters of the plan are developed, particularly those addressing regional and rural waste challenges, reuse and recycling infrastructure, and the evolving EfW framework.

“This is a significant step in the right direction, and we commend the NSW Government for recognising that waste and resource recovery infrastructure — including Energy from Waste — is essential to the state’s economic, environmental and social resilience,” Ms Sloan said.