Townsville to drive state’s green circular economy to reduce, recycle waste

Townsville will be at the centre of Queensland’s drive toward a zero-waste society. See what that means.

Environment and Science Minister Leanne Linard announced that Smart Precinct NQ would become a hub for information and support for local businesses looking to embed circular economy principles into their operations. In 2022, all Australian environment ministers agreed to work with the private sector to cut waste and pollution, keep materials in use to their highest value for as long as possible and foster markets to achieve a circular economy by 2030. Picture, John Gass

Townsville will be at the centre of Queensland’s drive toward a more environmentally sustainable economic future, the State Government says.

“The Palaszczuk Government has set the ambitious goal of Queensland being a zero-waste society by 2050,” Environment Minister Leanne Linard said on Sunday.

“To achieve this, we have implemented a framework for our transition to a circular economy, where materials are retained in the economy for as long as possible at their highest practicable value.”

Ms Linard said Smart Precinct NQ would become a hub for information and support for local businesses looking to embed circular-economy principles into their operations.

The Queensland Circular Economy Program will support industry-driven research and innovation to assist in the move away from the linear “take-make-waste” business model to a circular-economy model that cuts waste and pollution, circulates products and materials at their highest value, and regenerates the environment.

The other regional centres involved in this $4m pilot program are the Resources Centre of Excellence in Mackay and Agribusiness Connect in Toowoomba.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart, the member for Townsville, says research shows that a strong circular economy in Australia has the potential to generate $1,860 billion in direct economic benefits over twenty years while reducing carbon emissions. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Ms Linard encouraged industry to think beyond recycling to focus more on the “circular economy principles of designing out waste throughout production and a product’s usable life”.

“We simply have to do a better job of conserving our precious resources and reducing waste to landfill,” she said.

“That’s why all Australian environment ministers have committed their governments to transitioning to a circular economy by 2030.”

Cassandra Cazzulino has been appointed CEO of Smart Precinct NQ. A circular economy creates jobs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, pollution and the amount of waste we put into landfill.

Townsville MP Scott Stewart said the circular model was good for business, saying that for every job in landfill there were three in recycling and remanufacturing.

“Research indicates that a strong circular economy in Australia has the potential to generate $1.8 bn in direct economic benefits over twenty years while reducing carbon emissions.”

He said he wanted Townsville and North Queensland to lead the charge.

“I encourage local businesses to reach out to the team at Smart Precinct to see how circular economy principles could be embedded in their operations.”

Smart Precinct NQ CEO Cassandra Cazzulino said the initiative presented an opportunity for Queensland to develop global solutions.

“Practical implementation of a circular economy is critical if it’s to be our future and there are so many opportunities still to be uncovered,” she said.

“That is why Smart Precinct NQ is proud to be a supporting delivery partner to the Queensland Circular Economy (Industry-Research) program that will help Industry and community uncover new ways of doing things, and that will be transformative.”

Originally published as Townsville to drive state’s green circular economy to reduce, recycle waste