Brisbane ratepayers cop new flat waste fee

Brisbane City Council residents will soon see a $50 increase in their annual waste disposal fees as the city rolls out a new green waste bin program aimed at reducing landfill.

From August, all households in the Brisbane City Council area will pay a flat $512.96 annual fee for disposal of their waste.

The city's previous opt-in style system meant only those who ordered a green bin paid an additional $49.62 per year to the $462.96 waste fee.

Under the new system, every eligible household will automatically receive a green bin unless they choose to opt out.

The Brisbane City Council says the change will ensure that renters, who previously may not have had access to green waste disposal, are now included.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced the initiative during his Budget Speech, highlighting the environmental benefits of expanding the program.

'There are now 170,000 green bins in Brisbane, which is about half the eligible homes,' he said.

'We're now going to roll out green bins to every eligible house.'

Brisbane City Council will roll out an opt-out green bin scheme in August that will cost ratepayers and additional $50 per year

The council's plans to release the scheme in the budget were foiled when green bin stockpiles were spotted on satellite view at a council resource centre (above)

He confirmed the council the resources in place to support the rollout of green waste bins to thousands of households across the city.

'Contracts that have already been debated and passed through this chamber show we have locked in the supply of green bins,' Mr Schrinner said.

'In fact, the stockpiles of green bins we now have at our Resource Recovery Centres ready for the rollout are so large you could probably see them from space.'

The bins will be distributed to approximately 170,000 stand-alone homes, while apartment residents will still need to opt in to receive one.

The rollout follows low uptake of the council’s previous opt-in scheme, under which only 30 per cent of eligible homeowners paid the additional $49.62 annual fee for a green bin.

Mr Schrinner said the rollout will help the council sidestep the state government's 'bin tax', better known as the waste levy.

Brisbane City Council estimates it will save between $2million and $3million in the first year of its expanded green waste bin program, with potential savings reaching up to $32 million over five years.

The financial benefit comes from diverting more organic waste away from landfill, helping the council avoid hefty charges under Queensland’s waste levy.