A Minute With The Mayor Ry Collins

As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainable waste management, Council introduced a new Waste Management Facility Charge as part of its 2024-25 Budget handed down in June.
 
This charge will appear on the rates notices issued across the region and is a crucial step in ensuring that we can continue to invest in and manage our waste facilities efficiently and sustainably.
 
The new fee assists in covering the costs of operating and managing our waste facilities like maintaining our landfills and developing new waste cells and is separate from kerbside collection and transfer station costs.
 
The charge ensures that the region's waste management facilities can operate sustainably into the future, benefiting the entire Whitsunday community.
 
While there is a new charge, it is partially offset by Council reducing the domestic garbage and recycling charges for properties with collection services. This balanced approach helps to minimise the overall impact on ratepayers while ensuring we can sustainably manage waste for the future.
 
Over the next three years, Council plans to invest over $20.3 million in upgrading our region’s waste network with key projects including: Kelsey Creek Landfill $10.4 million; Bowen Landfill $6.9 million, Transfer Stations $2.2 million and Legacy Waste Sites $700k.

By investing in our waste management infrastructure, we are taking important steps towards a more sustainable Whitsunday region.
 
We encourage residents and businesses to participate in recycling efforts. Sorting recyclable materials at the source can save money and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.  
 
By following these practices and staying informed, the community can help support sustainable waste management and reduce the overall environmental impact.

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