Rockhampton council warns it cannot meet Queensland recycling targets due to
Rockhampton Regional Council spends more than $1 million annually transporting recyclables 600 kilometres.
Rockhampton Regional Council is asking the Queensland government for help to meet state recycling targets. The council sends about 10,000 tonnes of household recyclables 600 kilometres to the Sunshine Coast each year.
Waste services cost the council $3 million yearly. More than one-third of that goes to transport.
Mayor Tony Williams says the council pays about $300 per tonne to process materials. In south-east Queensland, councils pay about $100 a tonne.
A private recycling facility in Rockhampton was destroyed by a battery fire in 2020. The council has not attracted a replacement.
The Queensland government is building a new fund. It will help regional councils with processing costs.
The government has set a 65 per cent recycling target by 2035.
- 10,000 tonnes
- Recyclables hauled annually
- 600 kilometres
- Distance to processor
- $3 million
- Annual waste services cost
- 65% by 2035
- State recycling target
Why it mattersDistance and fuel costs make it harder for regional areas to meet environmental targets. Without government help to share these costs, regional areas cannot succeed.
AustraliaQueensland regional communities face the highest recycling transport costs in the state, making it harder to meet new state-wide recycling goals.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 11 h ago
