Community & Business
16 March, 2023
Stop the abuse, know the state’s waste levy charge
STAFF at transfer stations throughout the Tablelands Regional Council are being abused because residents lack understanding of the State Government’s waste levy charges.
The levy has been in place since 2019 and is part of the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy for Queensland to increase recycling and resource recovery, and reduce waste.
“Unfortunately staff and contractors at our transfer stations often bear the brunt of the community’s lack of understanding of the waste levy,” Deputy Mayor Cr Kevin Cardew said.
“They have been victims of abuse and threats, which takes a toll on their wellbeing.
“Our staff don’t make these rules – they just doing their job and it is unfair they are being targeted.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected in their workplace and we thank the people who treat our staff with respect.”
Cr Cardew said except where exemptions applied, fees would be applied to waste going to landfill.
“As landfill operators we pay the levy to the Queensland Government, based on the amount of waste disposed of in landfills,” he said.
“Currently the Queensland Government provides an annual payment to offset the cost of the levy to households. This means there is no charge for domestic waste up to one cubic metre can be taken to our transfer stations.
Commercial waste and domestic waste over one cubic metre incurs a waste levy fee.
“There is also a waste levy fee for disposing of car bodies, mattresses, tires, contaminated waste, carcasses and other items,” Cr Cardew said.
Go to www.trc.qld.gov.au/waste-levy for more information.
