(Photo: LGAQ)
June 8, 2018
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has rejected the State Government’s plan to introduce a waste levy on all domestic and household waste from January 1.
On Friday, the government released a directions paper for ‘Transforming Queensland’s Recycling and Waste Industry’ which outlined its plans for the management of waste and recycling in Queensland.
LGAQ CEO Greg Hallam said the association supported a levy on commercial, industrial, construction and demolition waste.
It also welcomed measures to better protect the environment through improved recycling and less waste going into landfill.
But Mr Hallam warned the State Government was not being upfront about the household waste rebate.
“In its own document, the government has indicated it can review the proposed 105 per cent rebate to councils for household waste any time in the future,” Mr Hallam said.
“This gives no certainty to ratepayers, who will bear the financial burden (of the levy).”
Another concern for the LGAQ was the lack of commitment from the government to ensure the levy was returned to where it was most needed.
Mr Hallam said the majority of the waste levy revenue could be syphoned into State Treasury, as it is in other States, instead of supporting a circular waste economy, the development of Queensland’s recycling industry and zero-waste-to-landfill initiatives.
“This matter will be front and centre of debate at next week’s Local Government Waste Forum being hosted by the LGAQ in Brisbane,” Mr Hallam said.
Representatives from Queensland councils – including mayors, councillors, and CEOs – would be discussing the waste levy, as well as waste-to-energy initiatives.
The LGAQ’s Policy Executive recently committed Queensland councils to a zero-waste-to-landfill strategy by 2028.
“We want to ensure Queensland is a global leader in creating a circular economy for waste management that will be good for our children and generations to come,” Mr Hallam said.
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