A decision by Ipswich Council on Wednesday to scrap its recycling program and start dumping recylables into landfill has prompted the State Government to introduce a proposed waste levy earlier.
Ipswich Council said China’s new ban on importing low quality recycling waste meant it would have to pay its recycling contractor an extra $2 million a year, which would increase Ipswich’s rates by two per cent.
On Friday, the State Government said it will work together with councils and industry to develop a zero-waste future.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the time to act was now.
“I want to leave Queensland a better place for my children and for the generations that come after them, and that means managing our waste better,” Ms Trad said.
“That is why we will be bringing forward the waste levy, incentivising the recycling industry to scale up and encouraging waste-to-energy enterprises to set up in Queensland.
“We know that the waste levy that was introduced in 2011, had it not been repealed, would have stopped a number of significant problems, including the 900,000 tonnes of interstate waste that is being dumped here in Queensland.
“We’re working with stakeholders to get back on track and get this strategy moving now.”
Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said changes to waste imports by China had impacted local councils.
“The State Government supports initiatives on recycling, and is committed to exploring more innovative ways to use waste,” Ms Enoch said.
“That’s why we are currently designing a comprehensive waste management strategy, alongside the waste levy.”
Ms Enoch said the strategy would allow the government to build a sustainable waste management industry that delivered long-term value to the environment, new jobs and investment.
Local Government Association of Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Greg Hallam, welcomed the State Government’s commitment to zero waste.
“Local councils across Queensland are hurting, and we will work quickly and collaboratively with the Government to ensure the best possible strategies are put in place,” he said.
“A waste to energy strategy, adopting world class technology, will make Queensland a global leader in recycling.
“Queensland councils now have a clear signal that they can stockpile waste for the short to medium term. This waste can then be used to feed environmentally sustainable plants when they are built, which will greatly reduce landfill.
“Our hope is to eventually close landfill sites across the state altogether.”
At present, the South Burnett’s only recycling centre is the Cherbourg Materials Recycling Facility.
The project has received $1.48 million from the State Government in the past few years to expand its capacity, and currently employs seven locals.
The plant has a contract with Gympie Regional Council to process recyclables from that region.
However, the change to Chinese import rules and the slump this has caused in Australia’s recycling industry had put a question mark over the plant’s future until Friday’s announcement.
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