Sunshine Coast and Noosa councils have received state government funding to support waste reduction, recycling and reusing initiatives.
They will share in almost $560,000 to boost recycling rates, thanks to the Queensland Government’s Let’s Get It Sorted Partnership Program.
The cash injection was announced by Queensland’s new Environment and Tourism Minister, Member for Glass House Andrew Powell, while he inspected the Sunshine Coast Material Recovery Facility at Nambour during National Recycling Week.
The program will provide the councils with a framework, tools, and funding to help improve household recycling habits and tackle littering and illegal waste issues.
Sunshine Coast Council received $346,000 to deliver an education and behaviour change intervention program to address contamination items in yellow lid bins, while Noosa Council received $212,000 to deliver a community wide education and behaviour change intervention program to address correct curbside waste management practices.
The program is part of the Queensland Government’s drive to establish a zero-waste society within a circular economy by 2050.
Mr Powell said it was designed to reduce litter and boost recycling rates.
“Avoiding waste and reusing and recycling gives us cleaner environments, healthier ecosystems, green jobs, and stimulates our economy.”
“It also conserves our natural resources, helping to protect Queensland’s incredible natural beauty and our outstanding quality of life.”
Sunshine Coast councillor Tim Burns said the grant will make a difference.
“This funding will significantly enhance our waste education and recycling initiatives, helping us to create a cleaner and more sustainable community,” he said.
“With this support, we can engage more effectively with our community on how to recycle the right way as well as providing clear messages about the correct way to use a garden organics bin.
“This will be done through a bin inspection program, and by connecting with our community though local events.
“By recycling correctly, we contribute to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Sunshine Coast.”
The state-of-the-art facility Nambour MRF is operated by Sunshine Coast Council and was funded through an agreement between all levels of government, with $21.9 million from the state government’s Recycling and Jobs Fund, $13.5 million from council and a $5.1 million joint contribution from Australian and Queensland governments under the Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund.
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