Help develop the K’gari (Fraser Island) Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy

Fraser Coast Regional Council is developing a Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy for K'gari (Fraser Island), which aspires to protect and conserve the world-heritage and cultural values of the island, through sustainable waste practices.

The Strategy will be developed in partnership with key stakeholders such as the Butchulla elders and island tourism operators to ensure a holistic and co-ordinated approach is taken.

“The strategy will guide the allocation of funds and the timing of projects to improve waste management and resource recovery from the island.  It’s about providing clear direction to ensure waste is managed to minimise environmental impact, and to protect the island,” Councillor David Lee said.

“The island is a major tourism and recreation hotspot and we don’t want it smothered under a layer of rubbish.

“Waste services for the residents in the villages are co-ordinated by Council while the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service looks after services for the thousands of tourists who flock to the island each year.

“The new strategy aspires to achieve a fit for purpose waste and resource recovery service that will improve on current practices and align with both Butchulla lore (what is good for the land comes first) and the Fraser Coast Waste Strategy 2019-2029.”

This project received grant funding from the Australian Government under the Australian Heritage Grants Program 2020-21.

A consultation group, which includes representatives from the Butchulla people, residents, the tourism industry, groups providing services, operations, or maintenance of the island has been formed and met for the first time yesterday (Monday December 13).

Council is also calling for feedback from visitors and Fraser Coast residents through a survey that can be found on Council’s Engagement Hub https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/kgari-waste-strategy. The survey closes on January 25, 2022.

Signs will be placed at the barge ramps to let residents and visitors know the survey is underway and to provide a quick link to the online survey.

It is anticipated that the final strategy will be presented to Council for adoption in August 2022.