D Day for Waste Levy

The Queensland Government’s waste and recycling reforms, including its controversial Environmental Waste Levy, come into force today.
Under the levy, all commercial and industrial waste that cannot be recycled or reused and will ultimately go to landfill will incur a charge of $35 per tonne at local landfills.
Southern Downs Regional Mayor Ron Bellingham said this includes waste from farming or agri-businesses, which the council was initially told would be exempt from the levy.
“However, any waste that can be reused or recycled – such as green waste, scrap metal, concrete and demolition waste, waste oil, grease trap waste, Drum Muster containers and batteries – does not incur the levy,” Cr Bellingham said.
“It now makes even more sense for businesses to recycle or reuse as much waste as possible, and to concentrate on separating their waste into recyclable areas that don’t incur the levy,” he said.
Not all items can be recycled at all waste facilities, which the table shows.
“We will work with businesses as much as we can under the legislation to reduce commercial and industrial waste costs,” Cr Bellingham said.
“I want to make it clear to residents that the council is making no money from collecting this levy, it all goes to the State Government,” he said.
“In fact, we are unlikely to ever recover the cost of officer time spent on administration to implement the levy, and we are currently out of pocket around $40,000 for additional infrastructure like fencing and key locks on unmanned facilities.”
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) said the levy has caused much upheaval in some of the 34 councils affected as they scramble to ensure previously unregulated landfills comply with the new laws.
In the Southern Downs, all supervised sites that accept commercial and industrial waste – Warwick, Stanthorpe, Allora, Killarney, Yangan, Maryvale, Pratten and Leyburn – will continue to accept commercial and industrial waste, applying the new levy charges.
From December 12, seven unmanned waste transfer stations in the southern region – Amiens, Thulimbah, Pozieres, The Summit, Broadwater, Glen Aplin, and Ballandean – will be locked, with key access for domestic waste disposal only given to local residents.
“All local property holders near these facilities should now have received a letter about how to apply to obtain a key for their local waste facility,” director of planning and environment Ken Harris said.
“If you do not own your property and are a tenant, you need to contact your property manager or landlord about obtaining a key,” Mr Harris said.  “Alternatively, you can contact the council.
“We will be accepting domestic waste only at these key-lock facilities,” he said.
“Commercial waste can be taken to the Stanthorpe Landfill and Resource and Recovery Centre and people should be aware that they can take larger household or domestic items like couches and fridges to Stanthorpe at no charge.”
Anyone caught dumping either commercial or domestic waste faces large fines.
The Local Government Association of Queensland said in a statement on Monday that it has succeeded in convincing the State Government that councils needed funding help to prepare for the introduction of the levy and build weighbridges and other infrastructure, but the money on offer is unlikely to cover all costs.
The statement said that LGAQ has insisted that all revenue collected from the new levy be channelled back to the councils to ensure the changes lead to true reform and greater efficiency in waste processing rather than simply provide a cash cow for the Government.