Palaszczuk Government releases waste strategy

The Palaszczuk Government is moving forward on its comprehensive waste management strategy, with the release of a Directions Paper for public consultation.

Acting Premier Jackie Trad said the Directions Paper informed the development of the waste management strategy, which is underpinned by a waste levy.

“This Directions Paper will include details of how the Government will ensure households will not face extra costs when putting out their wheelie bins every week,” Ms Trad said.

“When we accepted the recommendations of the Justice Peter Lyons’s report, which included the introduction of a waste levy, the Palaszczuk Government promised that it would not cost Queenslanders any more to put out their wheelie bins. And we are sticking to that commitment.”

Ms Trad said the Palaszczuk Government’s Transforming Queensland’s Recycling and Waste Industry directions paper was now available for public consultation.

“This will give Queenslanders the opportunity to help shape the future of the state’s waste and recycling industry,” she said.

“This directions paper highlights the huge opportunity to change the way Queensland manages its waste now and into the future.”

The Stakeholder Advisory Group, which is currently in the process of contributing to the development of the waste strategy, is reviewing the Directions Paper and will continue to provide input and advice to government.

Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch said the Directions Paper set out the Palaszczuk Government’s long-term vision to attract investment, develop new industries and grow jobs across the state in the waste and recycling sector.

“For too long recycling in Queensland has languished behind other jurisdictions because the LNP recklessly repealed our state’s waste levy in 2012 and robbed Queensland of the ability to invest in the waste and recycling industry, making Queensland a cheap dumping ground for other states.

“The challenges currently facing the waste and resource recovery industry, including the decision by China to restrict recycling material, have demonstrated that we need Queensland-based solutions for our waste, as we transition towards a circular economy.

The directions paper proposes that a general waste levy will commence in the first quarter of 2019 and will initially be set at $70 per tonne of general waste sent to landfill.

Ms Enoch said that, as well as encouraging recycling, the waste levy would facilitate job creation and market development, particularly in regional areas.

“While every 10,000 tonnes of waste disposed into landfill supports less than three full time jobs, the same amount of waste being recycled supports more than nine jobs.

“This price signal will give industry the confidence to invest in alternative and innovative recycling technologies to grow the sector and create jobs.

“This new strategy marks the start of the journey towards a zero waste future.”

The Transforming Queensland’s Recycling and Waste Industry directions paper is available at www.qld.gov.au/wastestrategy with public comment open until 28 June 2018.

Media contacts:

Acting Premier: 0432 446 268

Minister Enoch: 0437 859 987