The ACCC has issued a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation for 20 years to six Victorian local councils and Barwon Region Water Corporation (the Applicants) to engage in collective bargaining with each other to negotiate the terms of waste supply agreements covering the provision of organic waste material and the supply of waste processing services through a Regional Renewable Organics Network (RRON) project. The six councils are: Borough of Queenscliff, City of Greater Geelong, Colac Otway Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Surf Coast Shire, Wyndham City Council.
The RRON project is a proposed organics processing facility developed in a partnership between the six councils and Barwon Water. It is intended that the facility will use Barwon Region Water Corporation’s infrastructure to maximise the value of the organic waste produced in the region covered by the six councils and convert it to valuable end-products and renewable energy, reducing costs and emissions.
The ACCC considers collective bargaining by the six councils is likely to result in public benefits in the form of: transaction cost savings, improved efficiencies and environmental benefits. The ACCC also considers that any public detriment is likely to be limited.
The ACCC now invites submissions in relation to this draft determination by 14 January 2022, before making its final decision.
A copy of the ACCC’s determination is available on the ACCC’s public register at: Regional Renewable Organics Network Project.