A number of changes will be noticed at Bundaberg Regional Council waste facilities following the introduction of the State Government Waste Levy on July 1.
Council is spending $1.4 million installing a weighbridge and other infrastructure to assist with a smooth transition to the State Government levy, which will be funded with the assistance of State Government levy-ready grants.
Some commercial fees will be increased and the types of waste accepted at some facilities will change as a result of the State Government levy.
Waste and recycling portfolio spokesman Cr Scott Rowleson said the State Government levy aims to reduce waste and increase recycling, and will increase operating costs for most facilities.
“To meet the requirements of the State Government levy our staff will be undertaking additional sorting, loading, relocating, weighing and monitoring of materials going to landfill,” Cr Rowleson said.
“The level, complexity and frequency of reporting with regards to the State Government levy will also increase the demand on our waste operations.
“The State Government Waste Levy does not apply to the disposal of household waste at this time.
“However commercial customers will notice fee increases across a range of categories.”
Cr Rowleson said Council was installing an outward bound weighbridge at the Qunaba Waste Facility to assist with the increased traffic projected for the site.
Changes to types of waste accepted at some facilities
He said due to changes to comply with State Government requirements, Council had assessed the types of waste able to be disposed of at different facilities.
“The increased cost of implementing the State Government levy has prompted us to concentrate our resources in particular areas,” he said.
“As such, trickle tape disposal will be limited to University Drive, Childers and Tirroan while agricultural plastics disposal will be limited to Childers and Qunaba from July 1.
“These sites are already receiving the vast majority of these types of waste so Council will now focus its resources in these areas.”
Cr Rowleson said waste and recycling fees and charges would normally be adopted with the budget in June, but this year had been moved forward to give businesses more time to prepare for the State Government levy.
“We want commercial customers to be able to plan ahead for these changes and our waste and recycling team is keen to assist them in understanding the impact of the State Government policy and levy,” he said.
“This State Government impost will certainly incentivise recycling and in areas where it has previously been rolled out, higher recycling rates have been led by the commercial sector.”
Business community briefing meetings will be scheduled in coming weeks.
Anyone who wishes to register their information in attending a meeting, or who would like more information can call Council on 1300 883 699.
The new fees and charges can be viewed in the below PDF.
- Other news: Generous donation to Bundaberg region families
