The Palaszczuk Government has reaffirmed its commitment that Queensland households should bear no extra costs for putting out their wheelie bins as it looks to strengthen its successful waste levy program.
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the government remained committed to working with councils to reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfill and ensuring that there remains no impact to Queensland families ahead of a review of the program, as required by legislation.
"The Palaszczuk Government is investing a record $1.4 billion in this budget to protect our environment, reduce waste and create jobs," Minister Scanlon said.
"That includes continuing our arrangement with councils to provide a 105 per cent rebate – or $160 million – through to 2021-22.
"It adds to the record $1.4 billion in grants for councils right across the state in this year's budget, and hundreds of millions of dollars that has already been invested into councils to help them divert waste from landfills.
"In addition to the funding in this year's budget we've provided councils $300 million in advanced payments and $13.5 million to council and the community to implement new waste initiatives.
Funding for councils in this year's budget also includes:
- QCoast2100 - $15M
- Works for Queensland – $900M
- COVID Works for Queensland - $200M
- SEQ Community Stimulus Package - $150M
- Unite and Recover Community Stimulus Package - $50M
- Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme - $700M
- Building our Regions - $418.3M
- Local Government Grants and Subsidies - $286.5M
- Queensland Water Regional Alliances Program - $6M
"Since our waste levy program was introduced, waste from interstate and waste from construction and demolition has fallen 65 per cent, but there is plenty of work still to do around household rubbish – which is why we're conducting a review.
"We will work with councils through that review, and negotiate the arrangements that will apply after that period. That is the sensible and fair approach.
"We have a strong record of working with local government, and we will continue to do that through the review and consideration of the annual waste levy rebate framework going forward."
