The Queensland State Government has pledged to half the amount of landfill currently being produced while generating ‘thousands of green jobs’ through investing in recycling and resource recovery.

 

State Environment Minister Vicky Darling introduced the new Waste Reduction and Recycling bill to Parliament, describing as key to the State Government’s plan to halve the amount of waste going to landfill by 2020.

 

“Queensland generates about 32 million tonnes of waste every year - and we also have one of the worst recycling rates in the nation,” Ms Darling said.

 

“Additionally – and worryingly – many of our councils are reporting that they are running out of space for landfill.”

 

Ms Darling said that the new laws and a commercial levy on industrial type waste will be introduced as of December 1.

 

“The government will invest $159 million over the next four years to introduce programs to help companies avoid producing waste, sort their waste and recycle it,” Ms Darling said.

 

The legislation introduced into State Parliament includes:

 

  • Modernises and streamlines waste management practices in Queensland
  • Introduces an Industry Waste Levy with different rates for different waste streams
  • Establishes a Waste and Environment Fund which will use levy revenue for programs to reduce and recycle waste
  • Strengthens provisions that require both local governments and the State Government to prepare waste management and resource efficiency plans which specify recycling targets
  • Introduces an on-line public reporting system to allow members of the public to report illegal dumping and littering from vehicles to DERM

 

Ms Darling said under the reforms, councils throughout Queensland would this year receive an $11 million boost for waste management – funding that can be used to upgrade waste facilities.

This funding is in addition to the government’s earlier assistance this year totaling $4.1 million to councils to help establish or improve infrastructure such as weighbridges and fences at landfills.