A new Waste Innovation and Resource Recovery Fund has been established to support major industry and sector-led projects that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and create new products, markets and jobs across Tasmania.
Minister for Environment, Madeleine Ogilvie, said the Fund is a key milestone in delivering the State's waste and resource recovery commitments and is part of the Levy Reinvestment Program made possible through the statewide landfill levy.
"Levy reinvestment is delivering critical infrastructure and peak-industry partnerships to schools, regional support programs and community initiatives," Minister Ogilvie said.
"We undertook an extensive process to put in place the right framework for Tasmania's future - the Waste and Resource Recovery Act 2022.
"Every dollar reinvested reduces pressure on landfill, recovers valuable materials and strengthens Tasmania's circular economy.
"This new Fund, and ongoing collaborative work with the Waste and Resource Recovery Board, will drive innovation, build capability, create opportunity and support long-term economic resilience."
The Fund will accelerate the State's transition to a circular economy.
WRR Board Chair Pam Allan said Tasmania's waste and resource recovery sector is increasingly central to the State's economic and environmental future.
"As we enter the final year of the current Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy, our focus is to consolidate progress and accelerate delivery," Ms Allan said.
"The Fund represents a major step forward, enabling industries and sectors to transform waste into high‑value products, new markets and strong regional jobs.
"These efforts all support the Board's vision of Tasmania: A place where nothing is wasted."
Levy reinvestment will continue to support a broad suite of strategic priorities including:
- High Priority Infrastructure projects to improve recycling and recovery pathways,
- Schools' initiatives that build awareness, capability and future skills,
- Peak Industry Partnerships that strengthen sector-wide innovation and collaboration,
- Regional Waste Organisations that coordinate local solutions and build regional capacity,
- Statewide education and behaviour change campaigns delivered through ReThink Waste, and
- Community programs that drive practical waste reduction and resource recovery outcomes
Alongside these investments, the Board will progress a set of forward‑looking initiatives designed to build capability and accelerate delivery across the system. This includes:
- formalising Tasmania's Reuse and Repair Strategy,
- expanding scholarship and education pathways to support long‑term sector capability, and
- completing the next Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2026-31, to be published later this year.
Minister Ogilvie said our Liberal Government is delivering this next phase of waste reforms through strong governance and collaborative working relationships.
A targeted skills‑based renewal process for the Board will also get underway.
This process will introduce strengthened expertise, including in industry, economic development and legal and commercial risk management, ensuring the Board is equipped to oversee delivery and provide robust, independent technical advice.
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