The ACCC has released a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation to the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC), City of Bayswater, Town of Bassendean and the Shire of Mundaring (the Applicants) to establish a Regional Waste Collection Service operated by the EMRC, where each of the 3 councils will jointly negotiate and enter into service agreements with the EMRC for the provision of collection and ancillary waste services.
The Regional Waste Collection Service will include general waste, recyclables, Food Organics Garden Organics and bulk waste collection and specified ancillary services.
The ACCC considers that, on balance, the proposed conduct is likely to result in a small net public benefit. The ACCC considers that the proposed conduct is likely to result in small public benefits in the form of some transaction cost savings and environmental benefits. It also considers that the risk of any potential public detriment arising from less efficient and higher priced services, or reduced competition in the supply of waste services, is likely to be mitigated by a number of factors, including the EMRC’s incentive to offer a competitive service and to innovate; and that the rateable properties in the areas of the 3 councils comprise only 7% of the Perth metropolitan region.
The ACCC proposes to grant authorisation until 30 June 2033.
The ACCC now invites submissions in relation to the draft determination by 25 February 2022.
Further information about the ACCC’s draft determination is available on the ACCC’s public register at: Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council & Ors.