Lake Macquarie City Council

Published on September 5, 2022

The circular economy is gaining momentum in a regional city on Australia's east coast known for its beautiful lakes, wetlands, and beaches. Lake Macquarie City Council is the first in Australia to employ a full-time Circular Economy Lead and develop a circular economy policy and framework. The council is also working with other local councils and the business community to galvanise change in the region. Developed by Circle Economy in the Netherlands, the City Scan is a tool that helps local governments understand the material flows in their region to identify priority sectors and materials for potential circular economy interventions. For Lake Mac, the City Scan exercise will help quantify problem areas as well as the potential benefits of circular solutions. The council is also working with ACE Hub Technical Supporters Edge Environment to develop a tool that demonstrates the environmental and cost benefits of procuring circular materials for public infrastructure projects such as laying new roads. Aims of the project are:

Policy — developing circular economy policy and framework. Materials — understanding the impacts of materials and coming up with strategies to reduce reliance on virgin, high carbon materials. Innovation — building an enabling ecosystem for businesses in the region to embrace circular principles.

Developed by Circle Economy in the Netherlands, the City Scan is a tool that helps local governments understand the material flows in their region to identify priority sectors and materials for potential circular economy interventions. For Lake Mac, the City Scan exercise will help quantify problem areas as well as the potential benefits of circular solutions. The council is also working with ACE Hub Technical Supporters Edge Environment to develop a tool that demonstrates the environmental and cost benefits of procuring circular materials for public infrastructure projects such as laying new roads. When it comes to innovation, Debbie is working with the Hunter Joint Organisation to engage councils and businesses across the Hunter and Central Coast region in circular initiatives. While Lake Mac's circular economy projects are still in the early stages, they are already generating activity right across the Hunter region. "We've managed to create significant momentum in the circular economy space that the region can leverage for future projects," Debbie says.

This case study is directly related to the work of the OPN SBC programme.