MINISTERIAL STATEMENT: Waste

Hon. MAJ SCANLON (Gaven—ALP) (Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef
and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs) (10.11 am):

It gives me great pleasure to update the House on the Palaszczuk government’s war on waste. This Sunday is World Soil Day—I know a very important holiday for many. To celebrate, I am pleased to announce that the Palaszczuk government will invest a further $11 million over four years to support infrastructure projects that divert even more organic material from landfill. Applications are now open and will be considered by both the Queensland and Commonwealth governments.

My department has been working with potential applicants to progress shovel-ready projects for
round 1, with applications due by 5 December. A second round of funding will be rolled out next year,
with applications due by 25 February 2022. We are keen to talk to all proponents as soon as possible,
so the opportunity is there for the taking. There are three times as many jobs in resource recovery than
in landfill, and this funding for new recycling infrastructure will create more jobs in more industries. We
have committed $11 million in this new state funding because we know that is Queensland’s fair share—
so we certainly hope to see the Commonwealth match that commitment.

Reducing our food waste is also critical for tackling climate change. Around 50 per cent of a
household wheelie bin contains organic material. If Queensland can recycle just 70 per cent of our
organic waste, we could save over one million tonnes of emissions. Organic waste in landfills generates
methane—a potent greenhouse gas that is 28 times stronger than carbon dioxide.

Additionally, I can update the House that on 17 September the state government’s draft organics
strategy was released for public feedback, with consultation already closed. It is clear that
Queenslanders are red hot for recycling and keen to compost. Seven workshops were attended by 250
participants from industry, government, utilities and universities, and we received nearly 1,000 written
submissions. We will be working through that feedback, with the final strategy and implementation plan
to be released in early 2022. Composting is nature’s way of recycling. It is good for jobs, good for our
environment and super for soil. I would like to wish everyone a very happy World Soil Day.