The Queensland Government says it will continue offsetting the cost of the waste levy on household wheelie bins. 

Councils across the state have welcomed the call, which is set to stay in place until the community has more options available to reduce the amount of rubbish going into landfill.

Local governments had been pushing for the advance waste levy payments - which the State Government uses to offset the cost of the waste levy on households - to continue while investment is made to establish a circular economy, increase recycling and resource recovery.

“The State Government has today committed to continue those payments at 105 per cent for another financial year to give councils and their communities some immediate certainty,” 

Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) President and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said this week.

“The State has then committed to a phased, sustainable transition in funding that reduces the payments as industry continues to develop, and households have access to the recycling and recovery options they need, to reduce the amount of waste going into their red lid bins.

“The transition arrangement acknowledges that 20 per cent of household rubbish currently cannot be diverted, so the State will continue payments to cover that portion.

“It has also committed to a further $1.1 billion in funding to encourage investment in a circular economy and create jobs.

“For this to work, it is vital new recycling and recovery industries, and markets, are established swiftly."