Smart Precinct NQ to play key role in Queensland’s move to a circular economy

• The Palaszczuk Government will partner with Smart Precinct NQ to deliver a new circular economy initiative in Townsville.
• Smart Precinct NQ will provide information and support for local businesses looking to embed circular economy principles into their operations.
• The government is committed to building a circular economy in Queensland, where materials are reused, recycled or remanufactured more, and less waste is produced in the first place.

Townsville and North Queensland is set to play a leading role in Queensland’s drive to build a circular economy.

Environment and Science Minister Leanne Linard announced that Smart Precinct NQ would become a hub for information and support for local businesses looking to embed circular economy principles into their operations.

In a circular economy, materials are reused, recycled or remanufactured more, producing less waste in the first place and maximising the value of our precious materials.

The Palaszczuk Government’s new Queensland Circular Economy (Industry-Research) Program will support industry-driven research and innovation to assist in the transition away from the linear “take-make-waste” business model to a circular economy model that designs out waste and pollution, circulates products and materials at their highest value, and regenerates the environment.

The other regional centres involved in this $4 million pilot program are the Resources Centre of Excellence in Mackay and Agribusiness Connect in Toowoomba. If the concept proves to be successful, it will be rolled out to other locations.

Participating businesses and industries in each region will be supported in their move towards a circular economy, drawing on the relevant capabilities of Queensland universities to help develop new solutions.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard:

“The Palaszczuk Government has set the ambitious goal of Queensland being a zero-waste society by 2050.

“To achieve this, we have implemented a framework for our transition to a circular economy, where materials are retained in the economy for as long as possible at their highest practicable value.

“Recycling tends to be the first strategy industry turns to when transitioning to a circular economy.

“Recycling certainly has its place, but we encourage industry to also think beyond recycling and focus more on the circular economy principles of designing out waste throughout production and a product’s usable life.

“We simply have to do a better job of conserving our precious resources and reducing waste to landfill.

“That’s why all Australian environment ministers have committed their governments to transitioning to a circular economy by 2030.

“On any given day, particularly in major population centres, you will see tonnes of waste sent to landfill centres – multiply this by our country’s population and the coming seven years to 2030 and it can be seen how imperative it is that we act now to reach this goal.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Townsville, Scott Stewart:

“Embracing a circular economy isn’t just good for the environment, it’s good for business. For every 1 job in landfill there are three jobs in recycling and remanufacturing.

“Research indicates that a strong circular economy in Australia has the potential to generate $1,860 billion in direct economic benefits over twenty years while reducing carbon emissions.

“I am keen to see Townsville and North Queensland at the forefront of this economic benefit.

“I encourage local businesses to reach out to the team at Smart Precinct to see how circular economy principles could be embedded in their operations.”

Quotes attributable to Smart Precinct NQ Chief Executive Officer, Cassandra Cazzulino:

“Let the Great Barrier Reef serve as a living testament to the circularity of nature and the benefits, where nothing goes to waste.

“I thank the Queensland Government for deploying a localised roll out of this transformative program, allowing us to embrace the unique opportunities of our people, ideas and the environmental attributes of our regions.

“This initiative presents a real opportunity for Industry and community to collectively activate fit-for-region, innovative, circular solutions and learnings that can be deployed globally from Queensland.

“Practical implementation of a circular economy is critical if it’s to be our future and there are so many opportunities still to be uncovered. 

“That is why Smart Precinct NQ is proud to be a supporting delivery partner to the Queensland Circular Economy (Industry-Research) program which will help Industry and community uncover new ways of doing things, and that will be transformative.”

Further information:

In 2022, all Australian environment ministers agreed to work with the private sector to cut waste and pollution, keep materials in use to their highest value for as long as possible and foster markets to achieve a circular economy by 2030.

A circular economy creates jobs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, pollution and the amount of waste we put into landfill.

It is believed a strong circular economy in Australia could generate $1,860 billion in direct economic benefits over twenty years while reducing carbon emissions.

More information on Queensland’s Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy is available here.

ENDS

Media contact: Scott Chandler – (07) 3719 7339