Local Government Waste Procurement Workshop Series

A focused understanding of local government waste services procurement

Getting the procurement process right is crucial for councils seeking to deliver cost-effective and efficient waste services. Impact Environmental – the team behind the industry-leading Coffs Harbour Waste Conference – has partnered with the NSW EPA to create a series of free professional development workshops supporting local government staff to grow their knowledge of waste services procurement and deliver better value and outcomes for councils, residents, and the environment.

The Waste Procurement Workshop Series has been designed specifically for the local government sector. 

Following a highly successful inaugural workshop held in Sydney in March 2023, a selection of nine workshops will be held across various metropolitan, regional, and rural locations over the next 12 months. The comprehensive program focuses on improving understanding of local government waste services procurement processes spanning both waste collection and infrastructure, including recycling processing, disposal, and FOGO management.

Guided by our panel of industry experts, participants will gain a solid practical foundation in the key components of the waste services procurement process, its various stages, and the methods involved. Each half-day workshop will showcase relatable case studies and offer opportunities for detailed Q&A and discussion. 

Workshops topics include

  • pre-procurement strategy development
  • planning and managing the procurement process
  • key legislative considerations for a request for tender 
  • managing procurement risks and probity oversight
  • a case study of joint procurement which will include learnings, opportunities and challenges.
All workshops are free for local government employees and numbers are limited. Morning tea and a light lunch will also be provided.

Upcoming workshops

Hunter

Date: Tuesday 6 August 2024

Time: 10am - 3pm

Location: Club Maitland City, Maitland

Coffs Harbour

Date: Monday 19 August 2024

Time: 10am - 3pm

Location: Park Beach Bowls Club, Coffs Harbour

Tamworth

Date: Tuesday 15 October 2024

Time: 10am - 3pm

Location: Powerhouse Hotel, Tamworth

Hornsby

Date: Friday 8 November, 2024

Time: 9am - 2pm

Location: Hornsby RSL, Hornsby

Other proposed locations

South Sydney

Griffith

Canberra

Panel Members


Katherine Driscoll, Principal, Impact Environmental Consulting

Katherine has worked for Impact Environmental Consulting since 2007. During this time she has managed tender processes for waste services including developing tender documents and specifications for waste, recycling and organics collection and processing services; both in rural and regional areas, as well as metropolitan parts of Australia.

Katherine understands all aspects of the tendering process and the various stages that must be managed. Katherine will provide insights from managing numerous local council waste service tender processes.


Joshua Same, Partner, Maddocks

Joshua is an experienced environmental and planning lawyer who specialises in advising government and private clients on environmental regulation, waste contracts, contaminated land, and local government procurement, projects and operations.  

He is a qualified environmental engineer and has particular interest and experience in waste contracting and regulation, advising on waste regulatory issues including licensing, waste classification and resource recovery exemptions.  In the past two years he has advised over 25 local councils on collection, disposal and processing contracts worth over $500M.  

Joshua is also the co-author of Navigating the Tender Process – Tips and Traps for NSW Councils and frequently presents to local councils on procurement issues.


Sarah Mullins, Partner, OCM

Recognised as a Probity specialist, Sarah is the lead partner for OCM’s Local Government Services and National Quality Assurance Partner for Probity. 

With over 20 years’ experience in the provision of probity, corruption prevention, and ethics, she has deep expertise in grants management, local government, and conflict of interest management. 

Sarah joined OCM in 2009, following roles at Deloitte and the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).


Marcelle Psaila, Unit Head Joint Procurement, NSW EPA

Marcelle is Unit Head, Joint Procurement Service at the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and has worked in waste and resource recovery sector for over 20 years. 

Over the past 12 years’ she has held various roles within the EPA developing and delivering waste and recycling programs, policy and strategy. Previously Marcelle has worked in local councils, environmental consultancy and the Not-for-Profit reuse and repair sector, and she is passionate about driving circular economy outcomes for communities. 

She currently leads on implementing EPA’s new joint waste procurement program, aimed at helping councils to address challenges in procuring waste services.

Find out more

If you have questions about the Local Government Waste Procurement Workshop Series or would like more information, please contact:

Amelia Flynn:   0499 779 519     amelia@impactenviro.com.au