A landfill levy discount for residuals would reduce stockpiles and reinvigorate recycling, writes Alex Serpo, Secretary of the National Waste and Recycling Industry Council.
Landfill levy
Looking into a later levy
Waste Management Review examines some of the reasons why the Queensland Government’s waste levy was pushed back to 1 July 2019 and what it means for the industry going forward.
Preparing for the Queensland waste levy
Mandalay Technologies’ Lacey Webb explains five key factors local government and private sector operators should account for when getting themselves ‘levy ready’ in Queensland.
Leveraging the opportunities
The Queensland Government has announced it will update its waste policy and introduce a landfill levy, but what policy changes are needed to drive progress? Toli Papadopoulos reports.
Landfill levy waived For bushfire victims
The Victorian Government has waived the landfill levy to help Victorians in the south west recover from bushfires.
Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio announced that the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (Victoria EPA) will work with local councils and landfill operators in the Colac-Otway, Corangamite, Moyne and Southern Grampians council areas to apply the exemption.
The waiver applies to the levy component of the gate price.
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The Victorian Government has also announced assistance for the local government areas of Colac-Otway, Corangamite, Moyne and Southern Grampians is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
Anyone who has been affected by the bushfires and suffering personal hardship and distress should call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 to find out about the assistance available.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au and the VicEmergency website at emergency.vic.gov.au/relief
“We’re doing what we can to help those affected by these devastating bushfires,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“We’re helping farmers manage waste from dead livestock and damaged homes, sheds and fencing – so they can focus on getting back on their feet.”
Managing landfill legislative uncertainty: Tarpomatic
Steve Brooks, Managing Director of Tarpomatic, shares his tips to the landfill industry on how to manage costs amid different state-based laws.
Read moreManaging landfill legislative uncertainty: Tarpomatic
Queensland Government opens interstate waste submissions
An independent investigation into the cross-border transport of waste to Queensland landfills is open for public submissions.
Retired Supreme Court Judge, The Honourable Peter Lyons QC will lead the investigation following a roundtable last month chaired by the Premier and Environment Minister Steven Miles.
Mr Miles said the three-month investigation would help ensure Queenslanders can have confidence in the waste transport industry.
“I encourage all transport, waste and recycling facility operators in New South Wales and South East Queensland to provide written submissions to this investigation,” Mr Miles said.
“The investigation will look at the incentives for movement of waste from other states, and how to prevent this from happening.
“It will also consider whether there’s a need for regulatory reform – and examine the role of other states and the Commonwealth.
“While this is not a regulatory or criminal investigation, it is expected that any unlawful activity it uncovers will be referred to the appropriate Queensland or interstate authorities.”
An interim report will be provided to the Government by 18 October 2017, with a final report due by 17 November 2017.
The closing date for submissions is 26 September 2017.
Details on how to make a submission are available from the investigation’s website at: www.qldwasteinvestigation.com.au
Waste and recycling council calls for levy portability
Enforcing landfill levies across state borders will prevent further unnecessary cross border transport of waste, the National Waste and Recycling Industry Council believes (NWRIC).
Following the ABC’s Four Corners report on August 7, three government reviews have been commissioned into the Australian waste and recycling industry – a review by a legal expert on behalf of the Queensland Premier, a NSW Upper House inquiry and a Commonwealth senate review. The NWRIC is offering solutions to the problems addressed by these reviews.
Interstate waste transport
A key issue raised by the reviews is the use of lower cost landfills in south east Queensland for the disposal of NSW construction and demolition waste. The reviews will also address challenges in recycling markets, a better use for landfill levy revenue and illegal practises.
While the haulage of waste materials from Sydney to Brisbane is undesirable, it is not illegal. The trade has been created by regulatory disparity between NSW and Queensland. Private industry have been lobbying for a regulatory solution on this issue for more than three years.
The regulatory disparity could be solved by either implementing a landfill levy in Queensland of $40 per tonne or more, or by reducing the landfill levy in NSW on construction and demolition material down to $100 per tonne or less. However, the NWRIC does not recommend either of these options as levies should stable and if introduced, should be carefully planned.
The NWRIC is instead proposing that state governments make landfill levies ‘portable’ across state borders. This means that levies applicable should be based on where waste is generated, not where it is landfilled. If implemented by neighbouring states, this solution will also prevent unnecessary interstate waste movements between Victoria, NSW and South Australia.
The council is currently liaising with the Heads of EPAs taskforce to promote this effective interim solution. Over the longer term, the NWRIC is calling for all states and jurisdictions to harmonise the regulations covering the Australian waste and recycling industry. Regulatory harmony will promote investor confidence and prevent future undesirable consequences.
The Queensland Government is leading an investigation into this same issue. A couple of weeks ago, they announced that retired Supreme Court judge, Peter Lyons QC, will lead the independent investigation into interstate waste transport. It comes after a roundtable jointly chaired by the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Environment Minister Steven Miles.
“We are sending a clear message to interstate operators transporting waste to this state,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Mr Lyons is a highly regarded former Supreme Court Judge and Queen’s Counsel who will commence immediately to investigate the interstate waste transportation issue.”
The scope of his investigation will include incentives for movement of waste from other states and how to prevent this from occurring, opportunities for regulatory reform, and the role of other states and the Commonwealth.
Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Lyons’ duties will also include consultation with industry, specifically those who participated through the roundtable process.
“I have asked for a report, including recommendations be provided to government by mid-November.
In addition to the investigation, government is taking steps to ensure operators are complying with the law.
Minister Miles said Operation TORA involving officers from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP), Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Queensland Police Service (QPS) is continuing.
“Officers on the ground are blitzing interstate trucking waste,” he said.
“This is an important industry that contributes to the economy and employing thousands of Queenslanders.”
Recycling Markets
The emerging ‘circular economy’ in Australia is subject to unpredictable price fluctuations in the global market. Currently, glass has a marginal value, and plastic prices are at a historic low. The stockpiling of materials prior to recycling is a normal process in the recycling market, and stockpiled glass from kerbside collection is neither a hazardous material nor a fire risk.
In order to stimulate recycling markets, the NWRIC is proposing that more landfill levy money be hypothecated back to industry. The NWRIC advocates this revenue be used to support uniform and comprehensive regulatory enforcement, statewide waste management and recycling infrastructure planning and the creation of viable, long term markets for recycled products.
Where levy revenue is to spent directly on infrastructure projects, the NWRIC proposes that funds be offered as loans rather than grants – as this structure ensures transparency, accountability and a level market. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation serves as an existing model for this type of program.
To assist governments in creating the regulatory conditions conducive to stimulating investment into the circular economy, the NWRIC has produced its National Roadmap for a Circular Economy. Read more about it here. This document offers a range of regulatory solutions to improve the environmental, social and economic performance of Australia’s waste and recycling industry, and is available from the NWRIC website.
The price of recycling
Is the current landfill levy system supercharging or stymying recycling? Industry consultants present their views on the somewhat polarising issue.