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Commercial Waste Disposal

Under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 (the Act), sites with weighbridges are required to use the weighbridge for movements of waste or other material in and out of the waste disposal site, and for internal movements between different areas within the waste disposal site, such as between a resource recovery area (RRA) and a levyable waste disposal (LWD) part of the site.

From 1 July 2019, operators of levyable waste disposal sites are required to measure waste that enters the site and correctly remit the waste levy to the State. All levyable waste disposal sites in the levy zone need to install a weighbridge. This includes commercial and industrial waste produced by business and commerce and includes waste from schools, restaurants, offices, retail and wholesale businesses, and manufacturing industries.

In the Hinchinbrook Shire the Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre operates a weighbridge where commercial businesses can dispose their waste. Please note that Halifax Resource Recovery Centre does not accept any quantity of commercial waste.

Since 1 January 2023, commercial customers get charged at the below rates depending on whether the waste load in question is co-mingled with recyclables. 

  • Sorted Waste load (i.e. all recyclables removed or separated out for disposal within the correct areas) charged at the rate of $224.80 per Tonne (note that a minimum charge of $45.30 applies to all loads). 
  • Unsorted Waste load (mix of general waste and recyclables) charged at the higher rate of $325.30 per Tonne (note that a minimum charge of $65.10 applies to all loads).
  • Green Waste load charged at the rate of $56.50 per Tonne (note that a minimum charge of $13.90 applies to all loads).

The key drivers for this approach can be mainly attributed towards the cost of landfilling and the Shire’s diminishing available landfill space. A summary of these implications is presented as follows: 

Queensland Waste Levy 

As of 1 July 2019, the Queensland Government introduced the Waste Levy (payable by Council to the Government), applicable to all waste being placed in landfill. The purpose behind the levy is to encourage recycling and resource recovery by penalising landfilling. The rate that has been presented by the Queensland Government for the 2023-2024 financial year is $91.00 per Tonne and will increase in rate with the CPI increase every 1 July for regional areas. Council must recover these charges by adding it to the fees associated with landfilling.

Available Landfill Space 

Hinchinbrook Shire only has one operating landfill, located within the Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre. According to recent modelling, the landfill will be full by 2035 if current consumption rates continue. If resource recovery efforts were to improve, this lifespan could be extended. 

To support this, Council is introducing the approach of charging higher fees for unsorted commercial waste streams.  

Did you know ❓

  • Council does not operate commercial waste pick up services. Should your business require a wheelie bin or bulk bin you will need to contact a private waste service provider. 
  • Commercial / Industrial operators that frequently visit the Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre may wish to consider applying for a debtor account with Council. Please contact Council for further information about how to set up a waste account.
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