The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has granted interim authorisation to Wollongong City Council and Shellharbour City Council to enable them to request and evaluate tenders for the collection of waste and the processing of recyclables.

“Interim authorisation will allow the two councils to commence the tender and tender evaluation process. This will ensure that the tender process will be completed in time for the new contracts to be implemented by 30 June 2014,” ACCC Deputy Chair Dr Michael Schaper said.

“During this time, the existing contracts will remain in place until their expiry in June 2014. This will maintain stability in the markets for collection of waste and for processing of recycling material.”

The ACCC has previously authorised similar conduct for other groups of councils in New South Wales.

Interim authorisation commences immediately and will remain in place until the date that the ACCC's final determination comes into effect or is revoked.

The granting of interim authorisation in no way binds the ACCC in its consideration of the substantive application for authorisation.

Authorisation provides statutory protection from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Broadly, the ACCC may grant an authorisation when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs any public detriment.

The ACCC has sought submissions from interested parties on Councils’ substantive application for authorisation.

Further information, including a copy of the interim authorisation and how to make a submission, is available from Authorisations register.