A new $2.1 billion waste package will fast-track Queensland’s transition to a zero-waste society, said Chris Whiting MP.

The package includes a $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund to support increased household recycling, help build new resource recovery infrastructure and create more jobs.

“This is a phased, sustainable 10-year transition to help households reduce their waste and increase recycling,” said Chris Whiting MP.                                                                    

“The Moreton Bay region can really benefit from what will be the largest investment in waste management and recycling in Queensland’s history.

“Queensland’s recycling and resource recovery industries contribute $1.5 billion to the state economy each year and already support almost 12,000 jobs.

“The $2.1 billion package will accelerate job growth, build new recycling and remanufacturing infrastructure across Queensland and better protect our waterways from plastic pollution.

“The fund will offer co-investment opportunities for councils and industry to reduce waste and build new recycling businesses.

“The Government will invest in waste avoidance and behaviour change initiatives, recycling and remanufacturing facilities, collection infrastructure such as green bins, organics processing and other initiatives.

 “The package also includes $1 billion in municipal solid waste rebates for councils to continue offsetting the cost of the waste levy on household bins.

“We commenced the scheme in 2019 and remain the only state in Australia to provide this rebate.

“We will continue the advance payments to councils at 105 per cent for another financial year before those payments begin to taper as industry gears up to help Queenslanders divert more rubbish away from the red lid bin.  

“As the funding tapers off, councils will also be given access to other funding streams to help foster new waste industries in their local communities through the Recycling and Jobs Fund.

“The waste levy only applies to rubbish sent to landfill and by prioritising waste avoidance and resource recovery efforts, over time, we expect to see a permanent reduction in landfill disposal.

“We know the levy works – since it was introduced, we have seen interstate waste decrease by more than 60 per cent and 75 per cent of construction and demolition waste being recycled,” said Chris Whiting MP.

Future waste reforms will see: 

1. $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund to be invested over the next 10 years
2. $1 billion in annual MSW rebate which is broken down as follows:
• Annual Payments to councils will remain at 105% in 2022-23
• From 1 July 2023, annual payments will gradually taper from 105% to 20% over 10 years for 19 councils (metro zone councils and seven of the largest regional zone councils).
• Annual payments will be maintained at 100% for the remaining eligible councils.
3. From 2022-23, an increase in the annual levy rate by $10 per tonne in 12 Southeast Queensland council areas until 2027–28, then in line with CPI, ensuring it is comparable to NSW to maintain disincentives to interstate waste dumping.
4. From 2022-23, an increase in the annual levy rate by CPI in the remaining 27 regional council areas in the levy zone.
5. 38 council areas currently outside the levy zone will remain outside the levy zone.
6. Removing the Clean Earth exception in 2023-24, in line with arrangements in other states/territories.

Queensland’s Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy and levy arrangements will be reviewed again in 2025.

For more information: www.qld.gov.au/waste-disposal-levy