What’s happening?
Redland City residents will now face higher waste costs, as the State Government cuts the waste levy offset previously paid to councils. From 1 July 2025, the offset drops from 100 per cent to 70 per cent for some councils, with reductions set to worsen each year unless the government agrees to a reset. The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has launched its #BinTheTax campaign, featuring Chooky the Bin Chicken, demanding a halt to these changes until the Queensland Waste Strategy review wraps up.
Why it matters
The waste levy was introduced to curb landfill volumes and increase recycling. But councils have been left without the promised infrastructure or funding needed to give households practical waste diversion choices, forcing them to either lift rates or cut community services. LGAQ CEO Alison Smith said: “Millions of Queenslanders will be forced to pay a state waste levy, a bin tax, for the waste they send to landfill.”
“Some councils are already being slugged with the bin tax while others will join them from today.”
“This is happening because councils in waste levy zones will no longer receive the 100 per cent offset which has been paid by the state. That offset has been paid to councils in order to prevent the levy being applied to household bins. However, that is all changing, with the offset dropping to 70 per cent for some councils this financial year, and the offset amount forecast to drop each year going forwards unless the State Government agrees to a reset.”
“That investment and those options are not in place, meaning households don’t have appropriate waste diversion options.”
Local Impact
Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell warned that local families already grappling with cost-of-living pressures will be hit hard as the waste levy funding gap widens.
“The widening waste levy funding gap created by the successive Queensland Governments is forecast to rise to $2.2 million in 2025–2026 for Redland City, and to $8.6 million by 2030-31.”
“Redland City Council, like other Queensland councils, will struggle to bridge this increasing gap, while the impacts are borne by ratepayers already feeling the stress of a cost-of-living crisis.”
By the Numbers
-
$2.2 million – The levy funding gap expected for Redland City in 2025–2026.
-
$8.6 million – The projected cost burden on Redland City ratepayers by 2030–31.
-
19 councils – Across Queensland, councils impacted by the reduction in waste levy offsets.
Zoom In
The LGAQ’s campaign underscores the lack of promised recycling investments, urging the State Government to delay further levy cuts until the waste strategy review concludes.
Zoom Out
Nineteen councils across Queensland now face growing costs as the offset shrinks, pushing councils to either raise rates or slash community programs.
What to Look For Next?
The Queensland Waste Strategy is currently out for consultation. Redland residents should stay informed as councils and the LGAQ continue pushing for a policy reset to protect communities from rising costs.
