A COLLABORATIVE approach to waste and resource recovery is set to deliver better, more accessible services and create jobs in regional and remote communities across north Queensland.
Environment Minister Leanne Linard and North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NQROC) chair and Burdekin Shire Mayor Lyn McLaughlin have released a new Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Management Plan.
The Queensland Government provided $300,000 in funding to assist NQROC in developing the plan, which is a blueprint for the region’s investment in waste management and will help address the challenges of service delivery in regional and remote areas, delivering economies of scale and a higher level of cooperation.
The plan was developed by the five member councils that make up the NQROC – Burdekin Shire Council, Charters Towers Regional Council, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council and Townsville City Council.
NQROC Chair and Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said in 2020, NQROC delivered a Waste Management Strategy to guide the region over the next 20 years.
“Local Governments are at the coal face of managing waste and resource recovery. The challenges are significant and can only be met through regional collaboration,” she said.
“It is a balance between rising landfill and waste transport costs, a lack of local processing services and rightful community expectations of protecting the environment.
“Infrastructure improvements, the establishment of re-processing industries, and improvements to our processes are included in our Plan. So is the education of our communities, such that they better understand the role they play in managing waste.
“It is important that regional efforts are prioritised, coordinated, planned, and funded.
“NQROC thanks the Queensland Government, in particular the Department of Environment and Science, for working in partnership to make this plan possible.”
The Department of Environment and Science will support NQROC to implement the plan.
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