The Queensland Government has announced $10 million in funding for programs focused on cleaning up litter, illegal dumping and waste, as well as resource management initiatives across the state.
Queensland Minister for the Environment, Leanne Linard, announced that the government will provide $2.7 million in funding for 30 local councils to aid in the fight against illegal dumping.
The funding is an extension of the Local Government Illegal Dumping Partnerships Program, which has seen more than $11.1 million in grants provided to local councils across Queensland since it commenced in 2020.
The grants allow councils to employ dedicated illegal dumping compliance officers to identify those illegally dumping in their communities and proactively look at ways to prevent illegal dumping from happening.
The Queensland Government will also provide $7 million to employ regional waste management plan coordinators across Queensland to improve environmental and economic outcomes for regions.
The coordinators will assist groups of geographically aligned local councils to implement their regional waste management strategies. These strategies are pivotal to improving waste management and recycling and to facilitate economic growth and job creation across regional Queensland.
Minister Linard also announced the opening of applications for grant funding for projects focused on addressing litter and marine debris in Queensland.
The State Government is making up to $750,000 available for eligible community groups and individuals to undertake on-ground projects that seek to engage the community in addressing litter and marine debris in Queensland’s environment.
Minister Linard said that the Queensland Government is strongly committed to protecting Queensland’s iconic natural environment, and that means keeping it free of litter and properly managing waste being generated.
“In recent months, thanks to funding from the Queensland Government, regional organisations of Councils (ROCs) have developed waste and resource recovery management plans to guide enhanced waste management and future investment in resource recovery infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions, including greater education and promotion of behaviour change activities,” Minister Linard said.
“We are proud to now provide funding for dedicated coordinators to help ROCs to implement these plans and fully-realise the environmental and economic benefits available.
“Illegal dumping is unacceptable and those responsible need to be held accountable for their actions.
“Stopping illegal dumping will take a coordinated approach including the State Government, local councils and the wider community, that’s why we’re making funding available to employ dedicated illegal dumping compliance officers.
“The eighth round of our Community Sustainability Action Grants will focus on litter and marine debris clean-up.
“Grants of up to $75,000 are available for projects to remove marine debris from beaches and waterways, and litter from community spaces such as parks and reserves, and initiatives to prevent litter and marine debris from entering the environment.”
Local Government Association of Queensland CEO, Alison Smith, said that councils will welcome this funding as a positive step towards helping deliver regional waste management plans, and tackling illegal dumping.
“Councils play a critical role in helping their communities reduce waste and environmental impacts but councils and communities can’t afford to go it alone, so State Government funding programs like these are crucial if we are to continue to build liveability for all Queenslanders.”
