Monday 23 September 2024
TOWARDS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY:
WARR INDUSTRY IDENTIFIES QUEENSLAND ELECTION PRIORITIES
The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) has identified the waste and resource recovery (WARR) industry’s priorities ahead of next month’s Queensland election that will enable the state to capitalise on its unique position as a leading resource supplier to transition towards a circular economy.
“The WARR industry acknowledges there have been some positive steps taken in Queensland to create the correct economic and regulatory settings to support the growth of the state’s WARR industry,” WMRR Chief Executive Officer Gayle Sloan said.
“However, it is vital government moves further faster to create a renewable circular future that enables less to be used for longer, cuts carbon emissions and reduces the strain on the state’s pristine environment while growing the economy and local jobs. It’s a win-win,” she said.
“WMRR is calling on all parties to commit to taking proactive steps to drive the necessary paradigm shift to move away from seeing the WARR industry as only ‘end of pipe’, but rather seize the growth opportunities that come from incorporating the industry as part of the broader industrial supply chain. With the correct policy and regulatory settings, WARR can be a key remanufacturer turbocharging the Queensland economy and creating local green jobs across the state.
WMRR calls on all parties to make the following five (5) commitments ahead of the 26 October 2024 Queensland election:
Continue to drive resource recovery and responsibly manage future wastes by continuing the waste levy, including a comprehensive economic review to maximise its effectiveness.
Create a clear and certain policy and regulatory environment in Queensland using systems thinking and robust science-led policy development.
Reinvest Queensland’s valuable recovered resources into the economy by establishing a market development agency and mandating procurement of local recycled and recovered resources.
Sustain the evolving WARR industry by ensuring a long-term statewide infrastructure plan that supports all streams and promotes the waste hierarchy.
Ongoing provision of high-quality accurate data to support industry growth and innovation.
“By committing to these five (5) priorities, Queensland will be in a position to utilise its natural critical minerals advantage and lead the nation in the transition to a circular renewable economy, achieve its WARR targets and build a sustainable future for the generations to come. WMRR hopes all political parties seize this opportunity.”
WMRR’s Queensland election priorities letter is here and summary document here.