- Six Central Queensland councils have collaborated on a new regional waste and resource recovery management plan to improve sustainable recycling and waste management for the region.
- The Palaszczuk Government provided $300,000 to the Central Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils to develop the plan.
- The plan outlines the key actions and investments needed in infrastructure and initiatives to deliver better, more co-ordinated services and reduce household waste to landfill.
A collaborative approach to waste and resource recovery will deliver better, more accessible services and create jobs for regional and rural communities in Central Queensland.
The new Central Queensland regional waste and resource recovery management plan was released this week.
The Palaszczuk Government provided $300,000 in funding to the Central Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (CQROC) to develop the plan.
The blueprint for the region's investment in waste management will help address the challenges of service delivery in regional and rural areas, delivering economies of scale and a higher level of cooperation.
The plan was developed by the six member councils that make up CQROC – Banana Shire Council, Central Highlands Regional Council, Gladstone Regional Council, Livingstone Shire Council, Rockhampton Regional Council and Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council.
It outlines a range of actions over the immediate to long-term including:
- education and behaviour change activities to promote better outcomes for the region
- maximising the diversion of organics from landfill
- enhancing kerbside collection approaches to increase capture of co-mingled recyclables, and
- developing alternatives to landfill for residual waste
These key actions will help deliver new economic and market development outcomes for the region, creating jobs through the establishment of new collection, sorting and processing facilities.
The Department of Environment and Science will support CQROC to implement its plan.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for Multicultural Affairs Leanne Linard:
"The development of the regional waste and resource recovery management plan for Central Queensland councils further highlights the Palaszczuk Government's support for councils and communities in the region.
"Compared with more populated regions, distances and the availability of infrastructure and resources can mean these communities have to do more with less across a wide range of resource recovery and other services.
"Resource recovery is vitally importance in our drive for environmental sustainability, embodying the principle of reusing, recycling, and repurposing materials and energy sources, thereby reducing waste generation and conserving valuable resources.
"This not only reduces the strain on our finite resources, but also minimises the sometimes harmful environmental impacts associated with waste disposal.
"As well, resource recovery contributes to economic growth by fostering innovation, creating jobs, and reducing the costs of raw material acquisition.
"The new CQROC Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Management Plan will guide Councils' decisions, bringing a maximum return on investment in waste management and resource recovery infrastructure and initiatives."
Quotes attributable to CQROC Chair and Livingstone Shire Mayor, Cr Andrew Ireland:
"Through CQROC, we've collectively designed a plan that charts a path for improved waste and resource recovery across our region. This plan is a testament to the dedication of our Councils working together for a sustainable future.
"With the region's population projected to grow significantly by 2036, Central Queensland faces unique challenges, including a concerning trend in waste volume growth. Our plan not only acknowledges the diversity of our region, but also emphasises data improvement and targeted waste stream solutions to address these issues head-on.
"Central Queensland plays a vital role in our state's economy, with key industries like mining and agriculture, and our plan aims to ensure waste management aligns with our economic contributions.
"Education is the cornerstone of our plan. We've identified the need for a regional waste and recycling education strategy that empowers residents to reduce contamination and divert organic waste.
"Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council's commitment to developing a local waste reduction and resource recovery plan is admirable and reinforces the need for tailored approaches.
"Central Queensland's vision for a more sustainable future wouldn't be possible without the support of the Queensland Government. We extend our gratitude for their partnership in making this plan a reality."
