New waste, recycling facilities announced in council push toward sustainable future

Two new waste and recycling facilities have been announced for the Western Downs, as the council outlines plans to kickstart its move toward sustainability in the 2021/2022 budget. Details:

2021-2022 BUDGET: Two new waste and recycling facilities have been announced for the Western Downs, as the council pushed towards a sustainable future. Pic: Knipe Melvyn

As part of the Western Downs Regional Council’s move to promote a sustainable future through the 2021/22 budget, new waste and recycling facilities will be built in Dulacca and Ducklo.

The council’s budget, which was announced on June 23, outlined investments in the economic and environmental sustainability of the region by offering targeted incentives and improved services.

Councillor Andrew Smith said the council was at the forefront of attracting new and innovative industries to grow the diverse region.

“Council aggressively attracts business and investment opportunities to ensure our region prospers now, and well into the future,” Mr Smith said.

“Last year we introduced our infrastructure charges incentive scheme, which waived infrastructure charges on targeted industries to drive growth and diversify the economy, and this waiver remains in place this financial year.

“Over the coming year, infrastructure charges will be waived for eligible approvals across several industries including aged and health care, tourism, intensive agriculture, and commercial (business).”

Mr Smith said the council also continued to invest in the environmental sustainability of the region, with funding to ensure residents had access to modern infrastructure and reliable essential services.

“It’s important we continue to ensure our residents have access to quality essential services, which is why council is constructing new waste and recycling centres at Ducklo and Dulacca,” he said.

“This is part of a rolling program to convert smaller landfill sites into transfer stations, which will provide better value for money for council, and ultimately create a cleaner, greener future for our towns.

“We have also invested $54,500 to improve the internal roads at the Chinchilla Waste and Recycling Centre, as well as upgrading the lighting in the ‘push pit’ building.

The council will also improve access to the Meandarra Waste Transfer Station, with a $61,500 project to undertake dust suppression works in the area.

Mr Smith said the council also encouraged residents to think sustainably when it came to household pets.

“Our dog registration fees continue to offer a great cost incentive for families with desexed dogs, and council is making it even easier for people to pay their dog registrations, with the fees now able to be paid online via council’s E-services platform,” he said.

“Council proactively promotes responsible pet ownership, and desexing your dog is one of the best ways to improve your dog’s temperament.

“Providing a platform for people to pay their animal registrations online is a relatively simple way to improve convenience for residents and make our region a safer, more environmentally-friendly place.”