With only a few weeks to go until the introduction of the State Government‘s new waste levy, Moreton Bay Region residents are being encouraged to start preparing now.

Council spokesperson for Asset Construction and Maintenance, Cr Adam Hain, said new legislation would change the way council handles and processes waste, introducing stricter reporting requirements that waste facility users would notice from 1 July 2019.

The waste levy underpins a new waste management and resource recovery strategy developed by the State Government, to reduce the amount of waste generated, grow the resource recovery and recycling industry and create new jobs.

“The introduction of the waste levy is not specific to the Moreton Bay Region.  It applies to 39 local government areas in Queensland,” Cr Hain said.

Under State Government legislation, all waste going to landfill will be subject to a $75 per tonne levy, unless an exemption applies.

The State Government has committed to ensuring the levy has no direct impact on households.  To deliver this, councils will receive annual advanced payments to offset the costs of the waste levy on household municipal solid waste going to landfill.

Municipal solid waste includes household kerbside collections (general wheelie bin) as well as domestic self-haul waste delivered to a council waste facility.

“Therefore Moreton Bay Region households will not be directly charged the waste levy on their day-to-day domestic waste,” Cr Hain said.

Cr Hain said households that self-haul domestic waste to a council waste facility would notice changes that will cause some delays.

“Although Council’s waste acceptance practices will remain the same – with residents still encouraged to recycle as much as possible – users will be required to supply council with more information about their waste,” he said.

“Under State Government legislation the nature, quantity and mix of the waste being disposed of will need to be verified and recorded – to ensure it’s compliant, accepted waste originating from a person’s residential address.

“Starting 1 July, residents using the Dakabin, Caboolture, Bunya, Redcliffe and Ningi waste facilities will also have their vehicles weighed upon entry and exit to meet council’s reporting obligations.

“And depending on the nature of your load, this may result in users being directed to multiple disposal areas – so visiting with a full load of one type of waste, when possible, will reduce time on site.”

Cr Hain said Moreton Bay Region’s recycling and resource recovery rate of 56% was already above the State average, but there was always room for improvement.

“Putting your yellow lid household bin to maximum use, and sorting and separating recyclable materials so they can be diverted from landfill at your local waste facility, are simple ways that we can also help care for our environment,” he said.

Cr Hain said staff had been working hard over the past few months to try and minimise the impact on waste facility users.

“The community’s patience and understanding is appreciated as staff ensure council meets the new reporting obligations,” he said.

“During the first few months, council urges users to plan and prepare their trips as much as possible – such as going during off-peak times like weekdays, visiting only when they have a full load, and trying to reuse, recycle and re-purpose as many items as possible around the home.”

Cr Hain also urged residents to visit council’s website www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/waste closer to the 1 July starting date.

“The website will feature user information and hints for all facilities to help minimise delays,” he said.

State Government Waste levy website – www.qld.gov.au/waste-disposal-levy