LGAQ welcomes waste infrastructure roadmap

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has welcomed the State Government’s announcement of work to produce a statewide waste and recycling infrastructure roadmap for Queensland.

LGAQ President and Gladstone Mayor, Matt Burnett said the announcement of the roadmap, and the involvement of local government in its preparation, was a positive step for the state’s councils.

“We look forward to working with the State on this initiative and seeing announcements regarding much-needed funding for waste and recycling infrastructure in the June State Budget as well,” President Burnett said. 

He said councils were also calling for action from the State to bin the tax on rates bills caused by the reduction in the offset provided to protect households from paying the levy.

“Millions of Queenslanders living within the levy zone have already had to wear a bin tax on their rates bills after the State continued to reduce the amount of offset it provides to councils across 19 council areas down to 70% this financial year.”

“Without action by the state, that offset will drop to 60 per cent from July 1, which will create an even bigger bill for households. 

“In a worsening cost of living crisis Queenslanders need support through options to reduce the amount of waste they are placing in their red lid bins.”

The LGAQ launched its bin the tax campaign in July last year on behalf of the 19 councils and their communities impacted by the reduction in the annual payments made by the State Government to councils to offset the cost of the State’s waste levy on household bills.

President Burnett said councils want to play their part but needed both State and Federal Government support.

“Councils have developed a six-point plan with real waste solutions, and we’re committed to working with government and industry to make our plan is a success.”

The six-point plan includes:

• standards for the producers who are creating problem waste streams;
• clear infrastructure investment plan that matches State recycling targets;
• and support for a major statewide behavioural and education plan.

LGAQ CEO, Alison Smith said the State Government’s own budget papers show the waste levy will generate almost $1.5 billion over the next three years.

“The waste levy is generating $1.5 billion but councils are only getting a small fraction of this, and what they’re receiving is certainly not sufficient for them to invest sustainably in local waste solutions,” Ms Smith said.

“Our six-point plan has all the right ingredients for success, but to succeed we need the government to return more of the levy to councils, starting in the June State Budget.”

The LGAQ’s State Budget submission includes several requests to support households and to reduce waste.

Those asks include: 

• $100 million a year to support the provision of infrastructure under a 10-year Infrastructure Blueprint for Resource Recovery.
• Pausing reductions in the annual payments made to councils to offset the cost of the State waste levy on rate bills.
• Support for transporting recycled materials to processing facilities and end markets through the return of the Regional Recycling Transport Assistance Program.
• Funding for a statewide education and behaviour change campaign to support households to recycle more.