What’s Happening?
Redland City Council will introduce a new waste disposal system at its mainland Recycling and Waste Centres from 6 October.
Under the new model, residents will receive 12 free visits per vehicle each financial year for general mixed waste and green waste. The allocation applies at the Birkdale and Redland Bay facilities. Fees will apply after residents use their allocation.
Council will also charge separate fees for some waste types that cost more to manage. These include bricks and concrete, clean soil, mattresses, timber and tyres.
Why It Matters
Redland City Council said the model aims to make waste disposal fairer while helping manage rising operating costs.
Residents who use the centres more frequently will pay for general mixed waste and green waste after reaching their allocation. As a result, Council said other residents will not carry the cost of these additional visits through the waste utility charge.
Council also said the waste utility charge increase for this financial year would have been higher without the allocation system.
Local Impact
Council’s audit data shows that most residents use the mainland facilities fewer than 12 times a year for green waste and landfill.
Residents can still make free and unlimited visits for certain recyclable materials. These include scrap metal, whitegoods, e-waste, barbecue gas bottles and lead-acid batteries. Household recyclables and second-hand items suitable for RecycleWorld also qualify.
Residents can also dispose of hazardous materials such as asbestos, chemicals and paint for free within existing limits.
By The Numbers
- Nine out of 10 vehicles visit the mainland centres fewer than 12 times a year for green waste and landfill.
- Nine per cent of visitors accounted for about 40 per cent of the landfill and green waste received at the mainland facilities.
- More than 100 visits were recorded for some vehicles as Council examined usage patterns at the two facilities.
Zoom In
The annual allocation applies per vehicle at the Birkdale and Redland Bay centres. It covers general mixed waste and green waste.
Once a vehicle reaches its allocation, Council will charge fees for further visits involving these waste types.
Meanwhile, Council will charge separate fees for materials that cost more to manage. These include bricks and concrete, clean soil, mattresses, timber and tyres.
Zoom Out
Council considered rising waste and recycling service costs before introducing the new model. It also examined usage patterns at both mainland facilities.
The changes apply only to the mainland Recycling and Waste Centres. Existing arrangements will continue at the Southern Moreton Bay Islands and Coochiemudlo Island facilities. The arrangements at North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) will also remain the same.
Council said the model aims to make waste centre use fairer. It also aims to support sustainable, responsible and equitable waste management into the future.
What To Look For Next?
The new system will start at the Birkdale and Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centres on Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
From that date, residents will receive 12 free visits per vehicle each financial year for general mixed waste and green waste. Council will charge fees once a vehicle reaches its allocation. Separate charges will also apply to specified waste types.
