State Government Waste Levy

A new State Government levy will be applied to commercial, industrial, construction, demolition and regulated waste from 1 December 2011. The Queensland Government has stated that the reason for introducing the levy is to boost industry investment in recycling and to reduce waste going into landfill.

How does this affect you?

From 1 December 2011, landfill operators will be charged $35 per tonne for commercial and industrial, construction and demolition, and regulated waste disposed of to landfill. Hazardous wastes will be charged at higher rates. The levy does not apply to waste sent for recycling or reprocessing. This levy will be charged in addition to existing levies and charges.

All monies collected from the levy by Council on behalf of the State Government will be returned to the State Government.

Who does the levy affect?

Commercial and Industrial Waste means waste that is not construction and demolition waste and is produced as a result of carrying out the following activities:
Manufacturing and industrial processes
Mining
Wholesale or retail trading
Sorting, resource recovery, reprocessing and recycling operations
Commercial services, including those provided to households
Accommodation services
Hospitality services, including catering
Primary industries including agricultural, forestry and fishing
Veterinary science (including testing, diagnosis, treatment and performing surgery on animals)
Health services (hospitals, aged care facilities, nursing homes, doctor’s surgeries and medical laboratories)
Office, administration, industrial
Educational services
Activities carried out by charities
Activities carried out at churches
Activities carried out by groups such as Scouts, Girl Guides, Cultural groups
Organising concerts, race days, and other entertainment events; and
Other business activities.

How will the levy be applied?

At waste transfer stations with a weighbridge (Mareeba and Atherton). Commercial, industrial, construction and demolition waste will be charged at $35 a tonne (existing levies and charges still apply). The weighbridge at Atherton will be operational by mid-December.

At waste transfer stations without a weighbridge

A table provided by the State Government sets the rate based on the gross vehicle mass (GVM) of the vehicle the waste is being transported on. For example, a 4.5 tonne truck will attract a levy of .75 x $35.00 ($26.25) for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) or Commercial and Industrial (C&I) or any mixture of only MSW and C&I.
The same truck will attract a levy of 1.25 x $35.00 ($43.75) for Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste or any mixture of waste that includes C&D.
This is calculated on the tonnage of the vehicle only, NOT on the amount of waste being transported. Vehicles with a GVM of more than 4.5 tonnes must go to a waste transfer station with a weighbridge.
The Department of Environment and Resource Management has tips on its website to assist businesses to reduce their waste - go to www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/waste/rethink_business_wast...

Through pick-up of wheelie bins at commercial premises

Wheelie bins located at commercial places of business will attract the levy. Council will apply the levy on the rates notices of all owners of commercial buildings or enterprises. The levy will be charged at $15.90 in the second rates notice for the 2011-2012 year. The charge for the full year (2012-2013) will be approximately $29.00. Due to contractors providing this service in the former Mareeba Shire area, the charge will be directly levied by the contractor.

Not For Profits can apply for exemptions

Not for Profit organisations can apply for an exemption from the levy.
This requires an application to be lodged and approval to be granted by the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM). Upon approval, the applicant will be provided with an exemption certificate to be presented at the disposal facility the waste is taken to.

INFORMATION:
www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/waste/index.html  or call DERM on 07 3339 5899