The Department of Environment and Science (DES) has advised that the strategy will enable a diverse and sustainable waste management industry that delivers long-term value to the environment, new jobs for communities and confidence by the private sector to invest in Queensland.
The Queensland Government is developing a new resource recovery and waste management strategy to set the direction for resource recovery and waste management in our state.
The strategy will be underpinned by a waste disposal levy and will affect 38 local councils across Queensland.
Where we need your input
In its initial review of the directions paper the LGAQ is particularly concerned about a number of issues and would welcome your input on these key considerations:
- $70/tonne levy applied to ALL waste streams including C&D, C&I and MSW;
- Levy will be applied from 2019 in the first quarter – date yet to be confirmed;
- Yearly incremental increases of $5 will apply for 4 years;
- 105% returned to councils that offer kerbside collections in the levy zones, HOWEVER the formula will be reviewed in future years (p10);
- The preparedness of local councils to roll out a levy by the first quarter in 2019 including waste infrastructure, IT systems and budget cycle implications.
- Revenue generated from the levy, although supporting the waste industry/resource recovery WILL be used for non-waste related activities including schools etc. i.e. consolidated revenue (p14);
- Investigations into waste to energy technology – has a place in waste hierarchy with a focus on residual waste (p19);
- Development of a waste to energy policy will occur and guide further discussions/direction (p19);
The development of the waste strategy and design of the levy will be informed by feedback and advice from the Recycling and Waste Management Stakeholder Advisory Group. It will also be informed by public consultation and reports that provide additional information on key areas, such as infrastructure and policy options.
Your input into the development of the waste strategy and levy will help to identify the opportunities and challenges that are critical for local councils across Queensland.
More information about the waste strategy and levy is available in the Transforming Queensland’s Recycling and Waste Industry Directions Paper.
The LGAQ will be making a submission to the Department and is seeking your input into this matter.
Making your submission
To the LGAQ:
Please send your submission to Robert Ferguson, Senior Advisor - Environmental and Public Health via email on Robert_Ferguson@lgaq.asn.au by Friday 22nd June 2018.
Alternatively, you may wish to make your own submission to the Department to wastepolicy@des.qld.gov.au or by the postal address below by 5pm, Friday 29 June 2018.
By post:
Directions Paper
Strategic Environment and Waste Policy
Department of Environment and Science
GPO Box 2454
Brisbane Qld 4001
More questions?
If you wish to discuss this matter you can contact Robert Ferguson directly on ph. (07) 3000 2212.