Fees and Charges to be Implemented at Transfer Stations
In a bid to curb the region’s waste to landfill, as of 1 July 2023, Cassowary Coast Regional Council will implement charges for domestic dry and wet waste at Council’s Waste Transfer Stations.
The new charges aim to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill by encouraging residents to rethink what they are throwing out and ‘sort it, load it and recycle it’ to avoid additional costs and support our community’s efforts to reduce landfill and protect our environment.
Mayor Mark Nolan said waste is everyone’s responsibility and, through this new user pay system, we aim to encourage recycling and create positive change amongst our community which aligns our waste management approach with that of the Far North Queensland Region of Council’s (FNQROC) Draft Resource Recovery Plan to deliver resource recovery outcomes and provide positive impact across Far North Queensland including the Cassowary Coast.
“Users will not be charged to recycle any of the 17 items which can be recycled at the transfer stations, including e-waste, batteries, green waste, motor oil, ferrous and non-ferrous metal, car and motorbike bodies, fertiliser bags, drumMUSTER containers, cardboard, glass, plastic, aluminium, reuse products, printer cartridges, solar panels and paint.
“Where a load is split, users will incur a charge for the waste being distributed into either wet or dry waste bins. Wet Waste can only be dropped at Tully or Stoters Hill Transfer Stations.
“Sorting waste before your vehicle or trailer is loaded will also make it safer and easier to unload at the waste transfer stations and presents an opportunity to reduce or avoid charges on disposal.
“Through charging to dispose of wet or dry waste, Council aims to cover logistics, Government levies and disposal costs associated with this service, rather than passing on the cost to all ratepayers.
“The amount charged will depend on the amount of waste being disposed of, ranging from $8.00 for a small ute or car to $22.00 for a larger truck or trailer,” said Mayor Nolan.
Environment portfolio holder Councillor Jeff Baines said in line with the State Government’s vision to create a zero-waste society, action is needed in all local government areas to be successful in reaching these goals.
“The Queensland Government has implemented ambitious targets for 2050, which include 25% reduction in household waste, 90% of waste is recovered and does not go to landfill and 75% recycling rates across all waste types.
“Our Council will begin to move strongly in this area, and the implementation of charges for wet and dry waste at Transfer Stations is the first step to the evolution of waste management and meeting the targets set by the Queensland Government across our region thereby making positive change for our community and generations to come,” said Councillor Baines.
To view Council’s Fees and Charges for 2023/2024 click here. Or to find out what you can recycle click here. Printed information is also available at our Waste Transfer Stations, Libraries and Customer Service Centres. For further information contact Council at 1300 763 903 or email enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au.
Image caption: Landfill site at Stoters Hill.