Local company to manage waste services on K’gari

Co-mingled recycling will be introduced on K’gari (Fraser Island) and the Eurong Waste Transfer Station will be supervised at set times under a new Fraser Coast Regional Council waste management contract.

At its meeting today, Council resolved to accept the tender from local company, the Reuse and Recycle Group, to deliver waste management and resource recovery services on K’gari for $1.5 million a year over the next 10 years.

Cr Jan Hegge said Council had recently developed a long-term strategy aimed at improving waste management and recycling services while also protecting and conserving the world heritage and cultural values of the island.

“Providing waste services on K’gari can be quite challenging and is a shared responsibility, with Council co-ordinating services for residents while Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service looks after services for the thousands of tourists who flock to the island each year,” she said.

“Council manages waste facilities at Eurong, Happy Valley and Orchid Beach, which are accessible 24 hours a day seven days a week. The sites are fenced to minimise the spread of rubbish and prevent dingoes from getting in.

“The sites are regularly serviced with waste transported back to the mainland for processing and disposal.

“The new contract will include site supervision at the Eurong Waste Transfer Station, allowing for a wider range of waste to be accepted, such as oil, batteries and gas bottles. This type of waste has been difficult to manage on the island and is often incorrectly disposed of at Council facilities.

“Introducing co-mingled recycling, which essentially means putting material like paper, cardboard, glass, plastic and metal in the same recycling bin, could divert up to 38 per cent of the waste generated on K’gari that is currently going to landfill.

“Council is committed to reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and managing our activities in a way that reduces our environmental footprint, and that’s what we will achieve with this new waste management contract for K’gari.”

A copy of the K’gari (Fraser Island) Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy 2023 – 2029 is available under ‘Strategies’ at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/publications