Media response

Re: Lack of a waste levy in Queensland

For: Anne Davies ABC

Date: 31 July 2017

Thanks for taking my call. We are currently working on a program on waste for ABCTV.

I am fact checking the script and wondered it you can clarify a couple of points re the landfills at
New Chum and waste transfers generally.

Please attribute to a Department of Environment and Heritage Protection spokesperson:

We have the figure for 2016 of 556,000 tonnes from interstate from the Queensland waste report. Is
there an updated figure please?

Data for 2016/17 is currently being collected.

This will be published by the end of the year in the next Recycling and Waste In Queensland Report 2017.

How many trucks do you estimate are driving to Queensland each year with waste from interstate?

EHP does not specifically track the number of trucks.

Prior to transporting a trackable waste from another Australian state or territory into
Queensland, a person must apply for (and be granted) an approval to transport the waste via
a consignment number for the load(s) of waste.

This consignment number is also included as part of the prescribed information that must be
completed on waste tracking documentation and submitted to the department within 7 days
of waste transportation.

Additionally, the department has created the Waste Industry Compliance and Investigations
Taskforce under Operation Tora to stamp out unlicensed waste management activity.

EHP officers investigate inter and intra-state waste tracking offences and take appropriate
enforcement action where non-compliance is detected.

For more information on this please go to: https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/waste/guidelines-

information.html
Are there any plans to reintroduce a waste levy in Queensland? If so please provide details?

The Queensland Government made a commitment to not introduce new taxes and charges in this term of
government.

ENDS

For further media enquiries contact Media Services on (07) 3339 5831 or email media@ehp.qld.gov.au.