Councils: Logan City Council, Redland City Council and Ipswich City Council
Mayors: Darren Power (Logan City Council), Karen Williams (Redland City Council) and Teresa Harding (Ipswich City Council)
Population: The three south-east Queensland councils represent more than 700, 000 residents
In 2018, Queensland local governments were looking to the future and considering how to reduce landfill and move its community toward zero-waste.
A waste alliance between three neighbouring south-east Queensland councils – City of Logan, Ipswich City Council and Redland City Councils – was born.
Representing more than 700,000 residents, the three councils wanted to recycle smarter and explore innovative approaches to waste.
In 2022, the waste alliance is progressing plans for a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) estimated to cost around $30 million, so recyclables can be processed and sorted in Logan, before being made available to local businesses.
City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said the MRF facility will create local jobs and potentially save money for ratepayers.
“The project promises plenty of jobs during construction and ongoing once the facility is up and running, which is a great thing for the region, state and nation,” Cr Power said.
“Not only are there environmental benefits but there will be potential cost savings over the long term which will benefit ratepayers.”
Alliance Steering Committee Chair and Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said it was a positive initiative to give the councils greater control in recycling.
“The community, and in particular our younger residents, will be able to see first-hand how the items in their yellow recycling bins are sorted and processed through the facility’s innovative education room and viewing platform,” she said.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said waste was one of the largest challenges facing communities.
“By working together, we know we can deliver for our residents now and in the future,” Cr Williams said.
Every Queensland community contributes to the economic fabric of this nation. Every Queensland community deserves to be a liveable one. This Federal Election, councils have a set of priorities that will create more than 8000 jobs and generate $1.5 billion in economic activity for Queenslanders.
