A performance audit of the management of household waste services across Canberra has found that ACT NoWaste has failed to implement effective strategic planning for the management of household waste services.
In his report 5/2020, Management of Household Waste Services, Auditor-General Michael Harris says various strategic planning initiatives were incomplete and had not demonstrated their effectiveness in the management of household waste services.
“The lack of strategic planning for household waste management services has been compounded by poor risk management processes,” Mr Harris said.
“Since mid-2019, ACT NoWaste has taken steps to improve its household waste strategic planning and risk management and is also in the process of developing contract management and administrative arrangements for the management of household waste services,” he said.
“However, strategic planning and risk management initiatives remain at an early stage of implementation and their effectiveness is yet to be demonstrated, while key contract management and administrative improvements are yet to be finalised.”
Mr Harris said ACT NoWaste’s intention to achieve rigour and consistency in decision-making for contract management had not yet been achieved.
“The most recent services agreement for the collection and processing of garden organics green waste demonstrates a better, more contemporary approach to setting service delivery levels and improved service delivery,” he said.
“A challenge for ACT NoWaste is to have flexible services agreements that are relatively adaptable but enduring and offer value for money into the future.”
The audit made six recommendations aimed at improving strategic planning, risk management and contract management processes.
The Auditor-General’s 111-page report can be accessed at this PS News link and the audit team was Erika Hudleston, Karen Ruse and outside consultants with support from Taylah Commisso and David Kelly.
