FROM REDLAND CITY COUNCIL
Managing waste is one of Council’s most important services, but it is also one of the fastest-growing costs facing local governments. Rising expenses for fuel, transport, recycling, composting regulatory changes, landfill operations and the Queensland Government Waste Disposal Levy continue to place pressure on the Waste Utility Charge paid by every household.
To help manage these costs fairly while maintaining essential services, Council will introduce a new visitation allowance system at the mainland Recycling and Waste Centres in Birkdale and Redland Bay from 6 October 2026.
What is changing?
Residents will receive 12 free visits per vehicle, per financial year for landfill (mixed waste) and green waste disposal. After 12 visits, a user-pays fee will apply. Charges will also apply to waste streams that are more costly to manage or that aren’t produced as part of day to day living, including bricks and concrete, clean soil, mattresses, timber and tyres.
The majority of residents are unlikely to be affected by the changes as Council data shows nine out of 10 vehicles visit fewer than 12 times per year.
What remains free?
Many recycling and recovery services will continue to be provided free and without visit limits when disposed of separately. These include cardboard, e-waste, scrap metal, lead-acid batteries, used oil, RecycleWorld drop-offs and visits, paint, hazardous household waste and asbestos within existing disposal limits and requirements.
Why introduce the changes?
Currently, all households contribute through the Waste Utility Charge, regardless of how often they use the facilities. Some residents visit occasionally, while others visit more than 100 times a year. Council’s analysis found nine per cent of customers account for around 40 per cent of landfill and green waste received at mainland facilities.
The new system aims to ensure those who use the service most frequently contribute more directly to its cost, helping reduce the burden on the broader community.
What would happen if Council made no changes?
If no changes had been made, the Waste Utility Charge was projected to increase by about 24 per cent in 2026-27. Through the introduction of the visitation allowance and user-pays system, that increase has been kept to about 18 per cent for most mainland households.
For many households with a 240L waste / 240L recycling bin combination, that means avoiding an additional increase of around $32 per year.
Why use vehicle registrations instead of vouchers?
To begin with, a registration-based system is simpler and more convenient. It allows residents, including tenants, to access facilities without needing vouchers, reduces administration and helps keep gatehouse queues moving. Council will continue to monitor how the system performs and may consider alternative approaches in the future as community needs, technology and operational requirements evolve.
Will this increase illegal dumping?
Council takes illegal dumping seriously and will continue monitoring hotspots, investigating reports and issuing penalties where required. The visitation allowance has been based on existing usage patterns, with most residents expected to remain within their free allocation.
These changes are designed to support a fairer, more sustainable waste management system while helping keep household costs lower for the wider community.
For more information search ‘Redland Residential Waste Allowances’ online.
