WMRR WELCOMES WASTE INFRASTRUCTURE ROADMAP AS A FOUNDATION STEP FOR QUEENSLAND'S FUTURE GROWTH AND INVESTMENT 

19 March 2026

The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) has welcomed today’s Queensland Government announcement committing to deliver a Statewide Waste and Recycling Infrastructure Plan that will give industry a roadmap to where opportunities exist, describing it as an important step in addressing long-standing gaps in infrastructure planning and investment certainty in Queensland. 

WMRR CEO Gayle Sloan said the announcement by the Environment Minister, the Hon Andrew Powell, MP signals positive intent but must be backed by a clear, consistent investment framework that recognises waste and material flows across regions and the need for efficient transport, sufficient volumes, and viable end markets for recovered materials. 

“The waste and resource recovery sector has been calling for greater coordination, improved data, and long-term infrastructure planning in Queensland for many years. A statewide roadmap is a critical piece of that puzzle, as we know waste moves across regions” Ms Sloan said. 

WMRR noted the roadmap’s focus will be on infrastructure gaps, better data, and regional solutions as key priorities, but emphasised that planning alone will not deliver outcomes. 

“We welcome this initiative as part of a broader suite of reforms that enable investment and create jobs across Queensland,” Ms Sloan said. “What Queensland industry needs now is a clear and durable investment framework - one that provides certainty on volumes, infrastructure pathways, and long-term policy settings.” 

“With municipal solid waste recovery still too low in Queensland at just 28.2%, we must drive more material out of landfill and into productive use. That requires higher levy settings that are fit-for-purpose and strong incentives to support reuse and recycling of the materials we collect.” 

“Energy-from-Waste (EfW) is a necessary and responsible solution for managing residual waste - particularly where materials cannot be safely or economically recycled,” Ms Sloan said. “The reality is many products entering the system today are not designed for recovery, including complex and contaminated materials.” 

WMRR said clear, strategic planning for residual waste infrastructure, including EfW, will be critical to avoid future capacity challenges. 

“Without a coordinated, statewide approach to residual waste, Queensland risks the same pressures seen in other jurisdictions where capacity has not kept pace with demand,” Ms Sloan said. 

WMRR also highlighted the importance of building strong end markets through government leadership. 

“To close the loop, governments must buy back more recycled content through enforceable requirements and mandatory sustainable procurement,” Ms Sloan said.  “Without reliable demand for recovered materials, investment in infrastructure will remain constrained.” 

WMRR looks forward to the release of the updated Queensland Waste Strategy, which must include key targets and economic settings, in order that the Queensland Government, industry, and local councils can work together to ensure the roadmap delivers a clear investment pathway and real outcomes.