Fourteen Queensland councils are set to share in more than $1 million in funding grants to introduce new safe battery collection points and services across the State – giving households practical options to dispose of batteries.
The Local Government Battery Collection Program investment will deliver 88 permanent battery collection points, three mobile collection services and 28 temporary ‘pop-up’ locations.
The projects will also include community awareness activities by councils to inform Queenslanders about new collection points, along with fire mitigation risk management equipment and staff training to ensure the safe handling of hazardous materials.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell said the program was part of the Government’s three-point plan to reduce battery risks.
“Queenslanders want to recycle and dispose of batteries safely, but for many people, getting to a collection point isn’t simple,” Minister Powell said.
“That’s why we’ve made this funding available to local governments—to put more collection points where people need them.
“Batteries are a hidden danger. They can leak toxic chemicals, spark fires, and put our frontline workers at risk. This program will protect our environment and keep our communities safe.”
The program targets batteries with limited disposal options, including lithium-ion batteries found in vapes, e-scooters, laptops, phones, power tools, children’s toys, and common household items like electric toothbrushes and cordless vacuums.
The funding recipients are:
| Recipient | Project title | Project description |
|---|---|---|
| Burdekin Shire Council (on behalf of Burdekin Shire Council, Charters Towers Regional Council, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council and Townsville City Council) | NQROC Problem and Embedded Battery Collection | The project will establish problem battery collection points at 11 new locations across five North Queensland councils. The project will launch with an amnesty weekend and then continue for a 12-month period. |
| City of Moreton Bay | City of Moreton Bay Battery Collection Expansion | The project will install new dedicated battery storage sheds at three Waste Transfer Stations. |
| Douglas Shire Council (on behalf of Cook Shire Council, Douglas Shire Council, Mareeba Shire Council and Tablelands Regional Council) | Far North Queensland Regional Battery Collection Program | This project will install accessible drop-off points for problem batteries at key regional community and waste facility locations. The project will include community awareness about the new drop-off points. |
| Fraser Coast Regional Council (on behalf of Bundaberg Regional Council, Fraser Coast Regional Council, Gympie Regional Council and North Burnett Regional Council) | Battery Cleanout | The project will establish a temporary problem battery collection program. Problem batteries will be accepted at 28 sites within four regional councils. The project will be delivered for an 8-week period and will include community awareness about the new collection points. |
| Longreach Regional Council | Central West Region – Problematic Battery Collection | The project will establish a trial problem battery collection point at the Longreach Landfill Facility. A UN-rated, fireproof bin will be installed and monitored with smart sensors. Data collected through the trial will inform decisions about collections in other remote council areas within the region. |
| Mount Isa City Council | Strategy to Collect Batteries in Mount Isa and Cloncurry | The project will introduce a mobile battery collection trailer to service three locations in the council area. The custom mobile battery trailer will feature fire sensors, educational displays, signage and promotional materials. The project will also purchase a secure fire-safe storage unit at the Mount Isa waste transfer station. |
| Murweh Shire Council | Charleville Waste Facility – Battery recycling and data collection systems | The project will establish and promote the use of a dedicated battery collection zone at the Charleville Waste Management Facility for batteries including problem batteries. |
| Noosa Shire Council | Battery Safe – Noosa | The project will install five smart safety drums for collection of smaller problem batteries; located at high traffic, publicly accessible Council facilities. The project will also establish two UN-rated battery safety bins for larger and mixed chemistry problem batteries; located at two Waste Transfer Stations. |
| Quilpie Shire Council | Battery Collection Program for Quilpie Shire Council | The project will establish and promote the use of new safe, accessible battery collection points within a rural setting. |
| Sunshine Coast Regional Council | Problem Battery Storage and Collection | The project will install permanent fireproof battery collection boxes at four waste facilities to safety manage problem batteries and includes community awareness activities about the new collection points. |
| South Burnett Regional Council (on behalf of Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council and South Burnett Regional Council) | Making Problem Battery Collection Simple | The project will establish and promote the use of 15 new collection points across the South Burnett and Cherbourg regions. |
| Southern Downs Regional Council | Southern Downs Regional Council Lithium-ion Battery Collection and Storage Services Expansion | The project will provide new lithium-ion battery disposal points at nine transfer stations and install new fire-fighting equipment for lithium-ion battery fires at the nine transfer stations and two additional major waste facilities. The project also includes promotion of the new collection points. |
| Toowoomba Regional Council | Toowoomba Region Problem Battery Project | The project will establish 14 new collection points for problem batteries. Each collection point will have weather and fire-resistant battery drop off bins/enclosures, and first response firefighting equipment suitable for lithium battery fires. Waste Facility personnel will receive training in safe battery handling and first response firefighting of lithium battery fires. |
| Western Downs Regional Council | Western Downs Problem Battery Collection Program | The project will establish and promote the use of accessible collection points for problem batteries at Waste Management Facilities. Collection points will include weather and fire-resistant drop-off bins/enclosures with firefighting equipment suitable for lithium battery fires. Funding will also support staff training. |
