Fraser Coast hit hard by state waste tax rebate cuts

Fraser Coast residents are facing higher waste charges from today (Tuesday 1 July) after the Queensland Government slashed the waste tax rebate provided to councils.

Mayor George Seymour said the Queensland Government’s cost-shifting would force Fraser Coast Regional Council to pass on $1 million in extra costs to local households this financial year alone, and more than $22 million over the next six years.

“The Queensland Government says the waste tax helps reduce landfill and support recycling, but they’re cutting funding before regional councils have the infrastructure or support to meet their waste reduction and recycling targets,” he said.

“We strongly support better recycling, and we have already invested $31 million in a new state-of-the-art Materials Recovery Facility in Maryborough, without a single dollar of support from the Queensland or Australian governments.

“Now we’re being asked to do more, with less, and pay more for it. That’s simply not fair to our community.”

The Local Government Association of Queensland is today launching a statewide #BinTheTax campaign, calling on the State Government to keep the waste levy rebate at 100 per cent until the current system is reviewed and adjusted to reflect the needs of regional Queensland.

Cr Seymour said the current one-size-fits-all approach ignores the real barriers faced by regional areas.

“Regional communities don’t have the same scale or access to recycling markets as the south-east corner. Yet we’re being held to the same targets, with far fewer resources,” he said.

“Removing this support before those gaps are addressed just means more costs pushed onto ratepayers, or less funding for essential services like parks, libraries and community facilities.”

Fraser Coast Regional Council is urging the Queensland Government to maintain the rebate while it reviews the waste levy framework and to work in genuine partnership with regional councils.

“Let’s work together to reduce landfill, improve recycling and protect the environment, but do it in a way that’s fair and achievable for all Queenslanders,” Cr Seymour said. More information is available at https://www.lgaq.asn.au/BinTheTax