Media Release - Driving Sustainability: Hinchinbrook's $4m Recycling

Published on 11 November 2025

Hinchinbrook Shire is stepping up its advocacy efforts for $4 million to be invested into a proposed Recycling Waste Facility at the Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre, marking a major investment that will transform how the community manages waste and recycles resources.

Mayor Ramon Jayo is urging all candidates in the Hinchinbrook by-election to commit to supporting this critical project, which represents an investment in sustainability, local jobs, and the long-term future of the region.

This facility will transform how waste is managed with a redesigned entrance to maximise recycling of all domestic and commercial waste entering the site.

Dedicated sorting areas and on-site recycling attendants will intercept and separate materials before they reach landfill, ensuring more resources are recovered and reused. Mayor Jayo said the project is about building long-term capacity and protecting Hinchinbrook’s future.

“Sustainability starts here. A modern recycling facility will cut landfill waste, create jobs, and position Hinchinbrook as a leader in the circular economy,” Mayor Jayo said.

“This investment isn’t just about waste — it’s about resilience, innovation, and ensuring Hinchinbrook remains a region of opportunity for generations to come.”

Over the 2024–2025 financial year, Hinchinbrook processed more than 24,000 tonnes of material — a 133% increase on the previous year. Almost half of that was general waste heading to landfill, which surged by 221%, while resource recovery dropped by 18%. This spike was driven largely by the February 2025 floods.

This project aligns with Queensland’s Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy, which aims to reduce landfill and achieve 80% resource recovery by 2030. The strategy encourages councils like Hinchinbrook to adopt circular economy principles that keep materials in use longer through reuse, repair, recycling, and innovation instead of disposal.