Leanne Enoch
June 1, 2018
The State Government will pay the South Burnett Regional Council an annual fee from next year to help offset a proposed $70 per tonne waste levy.
The aim of the payment will be to stop ordinary households – which are estimated to generate 700kg to 800kg of waste per annum – being slugged the cost of the levy.
However, Council will be obliged to give nearly all the money back if it dumps the collected waste into landfill.
But if it diverts some of the waste to recycling, it will be allowed to pocket the difference.
The idea of a money-go-round that encourages councils to take recycling more seriously is contained in a directions paper released on Friday.
The State Government said it plans to introduce the waste levy in 2019 to discourage interstate dumping and encourage the development of Queensland’s waste recycling industry.
The levy will be charged in 38 of the State’s 77 local government areas, including the South Burnett, Gympie and Toowoomba council regions.
It will apply to household waste; commercial and industrial waste; and construction and demolition waste.
Higher levies (up to $150 per tonne) will apply to regulated wastes which have the potential to pose a risk to the environment if they are not properly managed.
These waste types are specified in the Environmental Protection Regulation 2008 and include animal effluent, clinical waste, grease trap wastes, asbestos and tyres.
The directions paper proposes the levy be set at $70 when it is introduced, but suggests it may be increased over time.
The paper also suggests rebates to Councils will be reduced over time as they move towards higher levels of recycling.
Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said the directions paper sets out the State Government’s long-term vision to attract investment, develop new industries and grow jobs across the State in the waste and recycling sector.
“The challenges currently facing the waste and resource recovery industry – including a decision by China to restrict recycling material – have demonstrated we need Queensland-based solutions for our waste,” she said.
“While every 10,000 tonnes of waste disposed into landfill supports less than three full time jobs, the same amount of waste being recycled supports more than nine jobs.
“This price signal will give industry the confidence to invest in alternative and innovative recycling technologies to grow the sector and create jobs.
“This new strategy marks the start of the journey towards a zero waste future.”
The Transforming Queensland’s Recycling and Waste Industry directions paper is available online and is open for public comment until June 29.
