On 18 April 2024, the Queensland Parliament passed the Clean Economy Jobs Act 2024 (the Act). The Act legislates Queensland's emissions reduction targets, including net zero emissions by 2050.

• The Act requires the government to develop emissions reduction plans that will support achievement of the targets. These plans will detail priorities for key sectors of the Queensland economy to support the transition to net zero.

The Act requires that:

• emission reduction plans are developed in consultation with stakeholders
• the program of emission reduction plans is reviewed every five years to ensure the plans are fit for purpose and represent a robust pathway to meet the state’s emission reduction targets
• an annual progress statement be tabled in Parliament outlining how the state is tracking towards its targets.
  • As required by the Act, a Clean Economy Expert Panel has been established to provide advice to government on achieving the state’s targets.

The Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act 2024 was passed by Parliament on 18 April 2024.

This legislation includes infrastructure and other frameworks and other bodies that support the energy sector.

Under the Queensland Environmental Offsets Act 2014, an environmental offset is an activity undertaken to counterbalance a significant residual impact of development on a prescribed environmental matter.

Unlike mitigation actions, which occur on-site as part of the project (e.g. relocation of an individual plant or animal), environmental offsets occur at another location containing the same environmental values.

The environmental offsets framework

Queensland’s environmental offsets framework provides a structure for delivering, measuring, monitoring and securing environmental offsets.

Features of the framework include:

• Options for a land-based offset, a financial payment to a secured offsets fund or a combination of both.
• The offset funds, managed by the department or local governments, deliver strategic outcomes with advice from an independent committee.
• An option to meet an offset obligation using a proponent-driven offset on land owned by the proponent or a third party.
• Staging offset delivery for larger projects to ensure significant residual impacts are counterbalanced and allowing offset credits or debits to be carried over to later stages of the project.
• Opportunities for landholders to become involved in environmental offset delivery by expressions of interest (free of charge) or applying for an Advanced Offset after surveying ecological conditions.
• Mapping of Strategic Offset Investment Corridors, providing a high-level indication of places potentially suitable for environmental offsets.

Offsets Register

An Environmental Offsets Register lists offsets approved by the Queensland Government since 1 July 2014. Maintained by the department, the register includes information about:

• authorities granted an offset condition for matters of state environmental significance
• financial payments
• land-based offsets
• advanced offsets
• expression of interest areas.

The register is publicly available on the Queensland Government’s website and regularly updated.

More information:

• Environmental offsets

The Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) is a key element of Queensland’s environmental legal system. Its objective is to protect Queensland’s environment while allowing for development that improves the total quality of life, both now and in the future, in a way that maintains ecological processes (ecologically sustainable development).

The EP Act and its subordinate legislation provides a range of tools to enable this objective to be met. These tools range from providing for a licensing system for environmentally relevant activities (ERAs) (called an environmental authority) through to response tools such as environmental enforcement orders.

Under the EP Act, environmental protection policies may be developed to cover specific aspects of the environment. There are approved policies for the air environment, acoustic environment, and for water and wetland biodiversity.

Table 1: Administration of activities under the EP Act by relevant administration

Legislation amendments

All Queenslanders have a ‘general environmental duty’ (GED) under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

In addition, specific activities require an approval from the administering authority in order to carry out those activities. These activities can be characterised as:

• Environmentally relevant activities
• Contaminated land management

The chief executive for the EP Act must report on the administration of the Act each year. See below link for further information.

Key legislative amendments are also detailed on the department’s website.

More information:

• Environmental Protection Act overview
• Environmental Protection Act
• Environmentally relevant activities
• Contaminated land
• Annual reports

On 10 October 2023, the Queensland Parliament passed the Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Act 2023 (GSOLA). The GSOLA commenced on 4 April 2024, providing a clear regulatory assessment pathway to authorise the construction, operation and safe management of pipelines for hydrogen and hydrogen carriers in Queensland. It also provides consistency with the National Gas Law and the National Energy Retail Law.

GSOLA ensures that renewable hydrogen, produced using power from Queensland’s sun, wind and water, can be safely transported for various uses, including chemical processes, mobility applications, and other hard-to-abate sectors, such as manufacturing green metals.

Native vegetation is critical for:

• maintaining biodiversity
• preventing land degradation
• reducing Queensland’s carbon emissions.

In Queensland, clearing is regulated through the vegetation management framework. It applies to most land tenures, including freehold land, Indigenous land, leasehold land and occupational licences under the Land Act 1994 (Qld). The Queensland Government monitors clearing to ensure people comply with the laws.

The Vegetation Management Act 1999 regulates the clearing of vegetation in a way that:

• conserves remnant vegetation
• ensures clearing does not cause land degradation
• prevents loss of biodiversity
• maintains ecological processes
• reduces greenhouse gas emissions
• allows for sustainable land use.

Clearing trends

• The 2021-22 annual Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) reported that clearing has fallen 52% since 2018-19, with most clearing in areas not regulated by the Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld).
• Clearing of regulated vegetation reduced by 64% between 2018-19 to 2021-22.

The Queensland Government strengthened Queensland’s vegetation management laws, implementing nation-leading protections to:

• increase the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef
• reduce carbon emissions
• ensure the framework is supported by the latest scientific advice.

Reducing emissions

Queensland’s vegetation management laws have contributed significantly to Australia’s reduction of carbon dioxide emissions due to the declined rates of tree clearing in Queensland since the laws started.

According to Australia’s National Greenhouse Accounts (ANGA), since Queensland’s vegetation management laws were introduced, the Land Use, Land Use Change & Forestry (LULUCF) sector emissions have decreased by around 131% from 2000 to 2022.

The LULUCF sector includes carbon emissions from tree clearing and other land management practices. Collectively, these measures have resulted in the LULUCF sector contributing equivalent to all of Queensland’s net emissions reductions since 2005, putting the state on track for the target of a 75% reduction by 2035.

We continue to investigate and implement improvements to the vegetation management framework, including:

• Accepted development vegetation clearing codes were updated in 2020 and 2023 to include additional measures for the protection of koalas and reflect the latest scientific advice.
• In 2022, an independent panel of experts was established to review the factors behind land clearing identified in the 2018-2019 Statewide Land and Trees Study report. In late 2023 the Queensland government accepted (in full and in principle) the panel’s ten recommendations.
• A $9.8 million investment over four years by the Queensland Government to enhance compliance with the vegetation management framework and reduce unexplained clearing through increased engagement and compliance.
• In 2023, a new certified Vegetation Management Regional Ecosystem Description Database (VMREDD), making it easier for landholders to find relevant information about regional ecosystems and their class.
• In 2023, the Vegetation Management Regulation was remade to improve its accuracy and efficiency.
• Scientific updates to vegetation management maps were released annually to ensure consistency with the latest available science and provide landholder certainty about mapped vegetation on their land.

More information:

• Vegetation Management Act 1999
• Vegetation management framework
• Vegetation management framework improvements
• Native Vegetation Scientific Expert Panel Report and the Queensland Government’s Response

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 contains measures to facilitate Queensland’s transition to a circular economy through waste avoidance, reduction, increased resource recovery and safe management and disposal.

The key provisions of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 include:

• a levy on waste delivered to waste disposal sites
• a refund scheme for beverage containers
• a ban on prescribed single-use plastic items
• requirements for Queensland Government agencies and local governments to prepare waste management plans
• an annual report by the department on waste disposal and recycling in Queensland
• introduction of product stewardship arrangements for any waste products that are identified as a growing problem for landfills in the future
• offences relating to littering and illegal dumping
• requirements for making end of waste codes.

More information:

• Waste legislation

The Air Quality Investigations program supports the statutory role of the department in:

• investigating complaints
• managing emissions from licenced facilities
• compliance and regulatory enforcement activities.

The investigative air monitoring program provides the baseline data required to assess the veracity of community concerns and determine if changes are needed to existing industry emissions management.

More information:

• Monitoring programs and investigations

The Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme (ACCU Scheme) (previously the Emissions Reduction Fund) is an Australian Government initiative that provides incentives for emissions reduction activities across the Australian economy to support achieving Australia’s emissions reduction targets.

The ACCU Scheme encourages people or businesses to reduce emissions or store carbon through participation in Australia’s carbon market. ACCUs can be sold to private entities to offset their emissions or to the Australian Government.

The ACCU Scheme operates alongside other Australian Government programs to reduce Australia’s emissions, such as the Renewable Energy Target and energy efficiency standards on appliances, equipment and buildings.

More information:

• Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme

Carbon farming presents an opportunity to help restore balance by:

• using land-based plant life and wetlands to naturally reabsorb excess carbon dioxide
• changing land management practices to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted from human activities.

Trees and other parts of our environment can reabsorb some of the extra carbon dioxide, but the capacity of the Earth to do this is limited.

Carbon farming land management seek to:

• reduce carbon emissions from human activities
• increase carbon sequestration in carbon sinks
• provide landholders with a range of benefits, such as increased natural capital and an alternate source of income.

Many Queensland landholders are already earning an income from carbon projects. The Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator provides a register that can be searched to see where registered carbon projects are occurring in Queensland. Alternatively, carbon credits can be retained by landholders and surrendered to offset on-farm emissions. We are growing the carbon farming industry in Queensland through the Land Restoration Fund (LRF).

Carbon farming key concepts

There are several key concepts that all landholders should be familiar with when considering undertaking a carbon farming project. Please refer to the Clean Energy Regulator for detailed information. All Land Restoration Fund (LRF) projects must also abide by these requirements.

Carbon farming methods

All Land Restoration Fund (LRF) projects must follow an approved Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme method to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). The methods explain how to carry out a carbon farming project and measure the resulting reductions in emissions. The methods ensure the emission reductions are real and in addition to business-as-usual operations.

Each method specifies:

• the activities to conduct
• how to measure carbon abatement
• the monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements.

The list of eligible carbon farming methods for LRF investment will be specific to each investment round.

There are three types of land sector carbon methods that can generate ACCUs in 2024:

1. Agricultural methods
2. Vegetation methods
3. Savanna fire management methods

More information:

• About the Land Restoration Fund
• ACCU project and contract register

Carbon farming presents an opportunity to help restore balance by:

• using land-based plant life and wetlands to naturally reabsorb excess carbon dioxide
• changing land management practices to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted from human activities.

Trees and other parts of our environment can reabsorb some of the extra carbon dioxide, but the capacity of the Earth to do this is limited.

Carbon farming land management seek to:

• reduce carbon emissions from human activities
• increase carbon sequestration in carbon sinks
• provide landholders with a range of benefits, such as increased natural capital and an alternate source of income.

Many Queensland landholders are already earning an income from carbon projects. The Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator provides a register that can be searched to see where registered carbon projects are occurring in Queensland. Alternatively, carbon credits can be retained by landholders and surrendered to offset on-farm emissions. We are growing the carbon farming industry in Queensland through the Land Restoration Fund (LRF).

Carbon farming key concepts

There are several key concepts that all landholders should be familiar with when considering undertaking a carbon farming project. Please refer to the Clean Energy Regulator for detailed information. All Land Restoration Fund (LRF) projects must also abide by these requirements.

Carbon farming methods

All Land Restoration Fund (LRF) projects must follow an approved Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme method to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). The methods explain how to carry out a carbon farming project and measure the resulting reductions in emissions. The methods ensure the emission reductions are real and in addition to business-as-usual operations.

Each method specifies:

• the activities to conduct
• how to measure carbon abatement
• the monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements.

The list of eligible carbon farming methods for LRF investment will be specific to each investment round.

At December 2024, there are three types of land sector carbon methods that can generate ACCUs:

1. Agricultural methods
2. Vegetation methods
3. Savanna fire management methods

More information:

• About the Land Restoration Fund
• ACCU project and contract register
• Land Restoration Fund Register

Climate projections are used to identify:

• hazards, or changes in hazards, that may affect an asset or organisation
• the consequence and likelihood of that hazard or opportunity occurring.

They aid network resilience by supporting adaptive designs in project delivery.

Regional Resilience Strategies

• Regional Resilience Strategies for 14 regions are available.

Get Ready Queensland

• Tools and information are available to help people prepare for, act during, and act after disasters.

The Queensland Government has made a climate change risk management tool for small businesses.

The Business Chamber Queensland, with the support of the Queensland Government and in consultation with Queensland businesses, developed a small and medium enterprises (SME) sector adaptation plan for Queensland. The plan was created under the Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy 2017-2030 (Q-CAS). It recommends several steps, including developing resources to support SMEs starting their adaptation journey.

In response, the Queensland Government funded the development of a Climate Change Risk Management Tool for Small Businesses in Queensland.

The Queensland Government has also funded a Climate Change Risk Management Tool for Queensland Households. The tool helps households start their adaptation journey by providing information on climate change (what, where, and how much) and checklists to assess their risks.

The Climate Solutions Fund-Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) provides incentives for emissions reduction activities across the Australian economy to support achieving of Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target. The Emissions Reduction Fund’s core principles are to reduce emissions at lowest cost and purchasing genuine and additional emissions reductions.

The ERF operates alongside existing programs that are already working to reduce Australia’s emissions growth such as the Renewable Energy Target and energy efficiency standards on appliances, equipment and buildings. The Safeguard mechanism began in July 2016, to ensure emissions reductions paid for through the ERF are not offset by significant increases in emissions elsewhere in the economy. The Australian Government provided $2.55 billion toward the ERF, with further funding to be considered in future budgets.

The ERF offers a range of opportunities for businesses, local councils, state governments and land managers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with agriculture, energy, waste, transport, and industrial processes. As of March 2020, the ERF had secured over 192.1 million tonnes of abatement through 473 projects under contract.

More information:

• Government and international initiatives

The Coastal Management Plan commenced in March 2014, formed under the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995. It provides non-regulatory policy guidance to coastal land managers.

The plan deals with key management policies such as:

• maintaining coastal landforms and physical coastal processes
• conserving nature
• maintaining access to coastal resources for First Nation cultural activities
• maintaining or enhancing public access
• management planning
• knowledge sharing and community engagement.

More information:

• Coastal Management Plan

Queenslanders use close to three billion beverage containers every year. The introduction of the legislated state-wide container refund scheme, Containers for Change, incentivises people to collect and return containers for recycling in exchange for a 10-cent refund per container.

The container refund scheme aims to:

• reduce the amount of littered drink containers
• increase Queensland’s recycling rate
• create new jobs, recycling and fundraising opportunities, providing benefits to social enterprises, communities, and regional and remote areas.

Between when Containers for Change commenced on 1 November 2018 and 30 June 2024:

• over 10.3 billion containers have been returned through container refund points and material recovery facilities,
• more than 1,500 jobs have been created,
• more than $851 million has been refunded to individuals,
• a further $13.5 million has been refunded to charities and community groups.

More information:

• Containers for Change

The program assists agricultural producers to manage the impact of drought and climate change. Climate scientists, government and non-government agencies, producers and industry leaders collaborate to help producers better manage the financial risks associated with climate change through improved forecasting, tools and other activities.

Outcomes

Examples of DCAP projects include:

• Delivering the long-term carrying capacity report, providing pasture growth alerts and access to the MyFORAGE platform.
• The Farm Business Resilience Program trains primary producers to develop or update their business resilience plans.
• The Northern Australia Climate Program is improving the management of climate variability in the grazing industry across northern Australia.

Examples of the Queensland Government embedding adaptation and resilience practices into government operations and infrastructure include the Queensland Climate Resilient Councils program.

This program works with Queensland local governments to deliver services and products to strengthen their ability to plan for and respond to climate risk challenges and opportunities.

Outcomes

• The development and release of the Climate Risk Management Framework for Queensland Local Government.
• A detailed climate risk governance self-assessment tool for councils to continue assessing their governance practices and policy maturity improvements for managing climate risks.
• Establishing two Climate Resilient Regional Alliances to accelerate community-wide actions to transition communities to a low-carbon economy and build resilience to climate risk.

Central to the Queensland Government’s climate change management response is a target of zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, supported by an interim target of reducing emissions by at least 30% below 2005 levels by 2030.

More information:

• Queensland Climate Change Response
• Climate Change Initiatives and Actions

On 4 June 2020, the Queensland Government released the Energy from Waste (EfW) Policy for Queensland (the Policy) as a key action under the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy.

EfW refers to converting waste that is not practical to reuse or recycle into fuels, electricity, heating or cooling.

The Policy provides a clear framework outlining the requirements for proponents wishing to establish EfW facilities in Queensland. These requirements include demonstrating that projects are:

• technically sound
• compatible with future recycling goals
• meet high standards of community engagement, environmental protection and energy production.

The Policy also outlines a preference for EfW industries that produce higher-value commodities, such as fuels, over electricity and heat.

The Policy is supported by the EfW Guideline, which provides further guidance on the scope, intention and application of the Policy.

More information:

• Energy from Waste Policy

To 30 June 2024 the Queensland Government delivered several initiatives to support households and businesses transition to a low-carbon economy, including the following.

• The Queensland Business Energy Saving and Transformation (QBEST) Program providing rebates of up to $12,500 to eligible small and medium-sized Queensland businesses to install energy-efficient equipment.
• The Queensland Building Plan (QBP) guiding policy change and legislation, including to improve sustainability performance by updating the National Construction Code (NCC).
• The digital electricity program ensuring that all new and replacement electricity meters installed in homes are digital. They provide more accurate and up-to-date information on usage patterns for consumers.
• ecoBiz: Delivered in partnership with the Business Chamber Queensland, the ecoBiz program provides free personal coaching, site surveys, training and tools to small and medium-sized businesses to help them improve resource efficiency and environmental sustainability and reduce emissions and operating costs. During the 2023-24 Financial Year, the ecoBiz program delivered a total of 12,077 tCO₂-e avoided emissions.
• The Climate Smart Energy Savers rebate provided between $300 and $1,000 for the replacing old appliances with 4-star energy-efficiency rated (or higher) appliances and hot water systems. Eligible appliances had to be purchased and installed on or after the program commencement date and on or before the closure date to be eligible.

Targets and outcomes

• In 2023 and 2024, the QBEST program supported small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with rebates up to $12,500 for installing small-scale energy-efficient equipment and appliances or pursuing other opportunities that demonstrate savings in energy bills, consumption and emissions.
• QBP’s target was to increase residential energy efficiency standards for new houses and units under the NCC 2022 to require:
• 7-stars (out of 10) for the building shell (up from 6-stars), and
• a new whole-of-home energy budget for a dwelling’s major fixtures and any on-site renewable energy, e.g. solar photovoltaic (PV) system
• QBP’s outcomes included:
  • Queensland adopting the residential energy efficiency standards as part of the update of the NCC 2022 (part of the Modern Homes standards, along with liveable housing design)
• Liveable housing design standards were introduced with NCC 2022 to improve the access and function of new houses and units.
• Digital Electricity metering is targeting 100% penetration of smart meters by 2030.
• As of June 2024, over 680,000 meters (32.9% of total meters) were installed in South East Queensland (SEQ) and 380,000 (37.7% of total meters) in regional Queensland.
• Over 800 businesses registered in the ecoBiz program and 80% of them recorded increases in productivity and savings.
• In the 2023-24 financial year, ecoBiz participants saved on average:
  • 22% on their electricity costs
  • 9% on their water costs
  • 5% on their waste management costs.

In 2023, more than 72,700 Queensland households received cost-of-living relief through the $44M Climate Smart Energy Savers (CSES) energy-efficient appliance rebate program.

• The Get Ready Queensland (GRQ) program is a year-round, all-hazards, resilience-building initiative coordinated by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) to help communities prepare for the impacts of natural hazards.
• GRQ aims to make Queensland the nation’s most disaster-resilient state, connecting with audiences through advertising, timely and relevant social media content, online resources, community engagement, and locally led initiatives.
• GRQ Week is an annual statewide community engagement initiative that features a range of local and media events encouraging Queenslanders to prepare for the severe weather season.
• The GRQ website has information about:
  • alerts and warnings
  • understanding your risk
  • getting prepared (including packing a kit and preparing a plan)
  • during a disaster
  • after a disaster
  • news
  • campaigns
  • find your local council's disaster dashboards
• GRQ facilitates an annual funding program that provides $2 million across every local government for spending on initiatives that suit their community’s needs and highlight local risks. The program empowers and supports local activation with grants that provide a range of support tools and resources that councils can use locally.

2023–24 GRQ campaign impact:

• launched on 9 October 2023, during GRQ Week, following a social media priming campaign. Running for six weeks, it made a strong impression on Queenslanders.
• Awareness & Clarity:
  • 93% found the campaign easy to understand.
  • 89% felt it provided clear preparation guidance.
  • 87% saw it as a valuable reminder to prepare.
  • 88% believed it effectively encouraged action.
  • 86% felt more confident in their ability to prepare.
• Actions Taken or Intended as a Result:
  • 78% prepared an emergency kit.
  • 75% purchased new items for an existing kit.
  • 74% signed up for weather alerts.
  • 75% created a disaster preparedness plan.
• The following percentage of respondents said that they either had or intended to take the following actions because of their exposure to the campaign:
  • 78% – prepare a kit
  • 76% – buy new items for an existing kit
  • 68% – sign up for weather notifications
  • 72% – make a plan.
• The Campaign was highly commended at the 2024 Emergency Management Public Affairs’ Australian Excellence Award for Readiness and Resilience Communications

If It’s Flooded Forget It Campaign

• In August 2023 responsibility for the If It’s Flooded Forget It (IIFFI) campaign transitioned from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to be delivered as part of the Get Ready Queensland program.
• Research suggests that many drivers overestimate their car’s ability to drive through water, even if they’ve never tried. Additionally, some modern vehicle safety features have made cars less safe in the event of entering floodwater.
• Informed by a rigorous behaviour change strategy drawing on technical insights, longitudinal market research, fatal crash data, risk perception and road safety literature, GRQ launched the ‘Your Car Can’t Protect You From Floodwater’ campaign in November 2023.
• The campaign was in market for five months up until March 2024
• Results suggest that the campaign was also successful in influencing the attitudes and behaviours of Queensland drivers. Eight out of ten (82%) drivers agree they are less likely to drive through flooded roads after seeing the campaign while 86% are now more aware of the limitations and safety risks of their vehicle in floodwater. 78% heard it during recent severe weather events, and two thirds (66%) agree they have discussed the issue of driving at times of severe weather, with family and friends

More information:

• Get Ready Queensland

The Queensland Government is reducing emissions across its own operations. Key initiatives include:

• joining the international Under2Coalition to support the global shift to zero net emissions by 2050
• delivering the Queensland Police Service Electricity Optimisation Project that has seen 1.7MW of solar systems installed at 45 police stations across Queensland
• transparently reporting carbon emissions from all Queensland Government operations through the Open Data Portal
• the QFleet Electric Vehicle Strategy that commits to at least doubling the number of electric vehicles in the government fleet annually from 2018 to 2022
• investing $97 million in the Advancing Clean Energy Schools program to cut energy costs across state schools through solar and energy efficiency measures
• Queensland Government and below50 Australia Statement of Collaboration to grow an advanced bioeconomy and promote the production and use of sustainable, low carbon fuels incorporating the zero net emissions by 2050 target into Queensland Government procurement policy
• reducing and offsetting emissions from Queensland Government vehicles
• using the land-use planning system to support delivery of zero net emissions
• reintroducing comprehensive vegetation management legislation

More information:

• Queensland Government initiatives and actions
• Under2 Coalition
• Queensland Police Service Electricity Optimisation Project
• Open Data Portal
• QFleet Environmental strategy
• Advancing Queensland Clean Energy Schools program
• below50
• Queensland Government Procurement Policy
• QFleet Electric Vehicle Transition Strategy
• Queensland Land Use Planning Mapping Program (QLUMP)   application

The Great Barrier Reef Blueprint for Climate Resilience and Adaptation (Blueprint 2030) is the next chapter in addressing the challenge of climate change impacts on the Reef.

The Blueprint 2030 will help the Reef Authority deliver on the objectives of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth) to protect and conserve the Reef now and into the future. It is a strategic roadmap to strengthen Reef resilience and a key deliverable of the Australian and Queensland government’s Reef 2050 Plan, the overarching framework for protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef to 2050.

At the heart of Blueprint 2030 are five strategic goals that will drive how the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority adapts its management under a changing climate to progressively and effectively respond to the risks identified in the Outlook Report.

More information:

• At a glance: Blueprint 2030
• Outlook Report 2024: 1.4.2 Assessment of trends and confidence
• Outlook Report 2024: 1.4.1 Assessment grades and grading statements

The Australian Government prepares Australia’s National Greenhouse Accounts, which include a series of reports and databases that fulfil Australia’s international reporting requirements under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The National Greenhouse Accounts include the following:

• National Greenhouse Gas Inventory
• National Inventory Report
• State and Territory Greenhouse Gas Inventories.

This data shows that in 2022, Queensland achieved a 35% reduction of emissions below 2005 level. This means the state has already exceeded its 2030 target of 30% emissions reduction by 2035.

More information:

• Australia's National Greenhouse Accounts
• Queensland emissions data

The Queensland Government is committed to reducing the amount and impacts of littered and illegally dumped wastes in Queensland. A key deliverable of Queensland’s Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy is the Keeping Queensland Clean: the Litter and Illegal Dumping Plan.

Released in June 2021, this plan:

• sets the context for managing litter and illegal dumping in Queensland
• identifies the issues which need to be addressed
• provides a way forward via a series of actions.

The goal is to reduce littered and illegally dumped waste in Queensland through coordinated, evidence-based actions and collaboration.

The plan identifies how we, as Queenslanders, can work together to combat litter and illegal dumping by:

• building on work already underway
• from the results already achieved

providing a coordinated response to the issues. Many actions have been delivered to address this type of pollution in Queensland, including all the key actions in the plan. These actions include:

• the development of the Litter and Illegal Dumping Management Framework
• delivery of targeted grant programs to support local action
• increasing local council knowledge and capacity to deliver litter and illegal dumping compliance
• the development of the Love Queensland. Let’s keep it clean campaign, which provides a consistent message for use across various platforms.

Based on public feedback, the Litter and Illegal Dumping Online Reporting System has also been updated to make it more user-friendly for the public to report incidents to the department.

More information:

• Litter and illegal dumping
• Keeping Queensland Clean: The Litter and Illegal Dumping Plan
• Litter and Illegal Dumping Online Reporting System (LIDORS)
• Litter and Illegal Dumping Management Framework

Through the Low Carbon Accelerator program, the Queensland Government worked with entrepreneurs to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Outcomes

• The 2022-23 program brought industry and government together to support entrepreneurs and innovators in developing their low-carbon products and services for market readiness. The projects addressed decarbonisation challenges and supported progress towards Queensland’s emissions reduction targets.
• Over six months, the program worked with 22 companies delivering decarbonisation and low-carbon solutions for Queensland.

The Queensland Government is working with industry and the community to achieve a 50% renewable energy target by 2030 to reduce emissions, create new jobs and diversify the state’s economy. The Government is working to grow a sustainable industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector and develop a sustainable hydrogen industry in Queensland.

More information:

• Powering Queensland Plan
• Affordable Energy Plan
• Clean Co Queensland
• Advance Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan
• Hydrogen Industry Development

In December 2015, Australia’s environment ministers established the National Clean Air Agreement (NCAA). The agreement seeks to ensure that the community continues to enjoy clean air and address the impacts on human health and the environment.

The agreement focuses on actions to reduce air pollution and improve air quality through cooperative action between industry and government at the national, state and local levels. The agreement is designed to incorporate a range of existing, new and complementary measures to improve Australia’s air quality.

In May 2021, the Senior Officials Group, comprising Commonwealth, State and Territory representatives, agreed on a 2021-2023 work plan outlining the roles, responsibilities, actions and timeframes for implementation. The work plan details the rolling program of activities to respond to air quality priorities including the following actions:

• improving standards for reporting and monitoring air pollution and ensuring national consistency of public air quality information, alerts programs and health advice.
• developing a nationally consistent Air Pollution Emissions Inventory.
• measuring and assessing motor vehicle emissions.
• building knowledge, education and awareness on how to respond to bushfire smoke, in response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.

The work plan is formally reviewed by the Environment Ministers every 2 years to ensure that actions under the NCAA is relevant and to maintain accountability for delivery.

More information:

• National Clean Air Agreement
• National Clean Air Agreement Work Plan 2021-23

The primary sources of air pollutants in Queensland are transport and industrial activities, although rural and domestic activities are also sources. Bushfires and hazard-reduction burning activities can also result in poor air quality.

The National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (Ambient Air Quality NEPM) establishes national protection goals for:

• sulfur dioxide
• nitrogen dioxide
• ozone
• carbon monoxide
• particles
• lead.

The Ambient Air Quality NEPM standards for ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide were amended in May 2021 to reflect the latest scientific understanding of the health risks associated with these pollutants.

Australian Design Rules (ADRs), under the Commonwealth’s Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, set emission standards for new vehicles. Ongoing tightening of ADRs over the past 25 years has resulted in significant reductions in emissions of lead, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and particles.

The Commonwealth’s Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 sets national quality standards for various fuel quality properties to reduce emissions or improve engine performance. Reductions in aromatic hydrocarbons and sulfur in petrol from December 2025 will enable Australia to adopt Euro 6d noxious emissions standards for new light vehicles.

More information:

• National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure
• Australian Design Rules
• Fuel quality standards

The Queensland Government has allocated $61.77 million to the Natural Resource Investment Program (NRIP) over four years from 2018 to 2022 (NRIP). This program represents an extension of funding by the Queensland Government in regional natural resource management, building on the previous program - the Natural Resources Investment Program 2013–2018.

Administered by the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME), NRIP 2018–22 ensures that funding is invested into improving the quality of the state’s natural resources, specifically land, vegetation, water and the Great Barrier Reef.

NRIP 2018–2022 funding is being invested in Queensland’s regional arrangements, aiming to achieve measurable change in the management and condition of natural resources to build capacity in communities to deliver improved outcomes in the following four priority areas.

• Land: building stable and resilient landscapes.
• Water: achieving sustainable use and management of water.
• People and communities: facilitating effective regional management and stewardship.
• Science and knowledge: knowing the state of natural resource management assets and effectiveness of interventions.

Within these four priority areas, DNRME has allocated more than $43 million to over 30 NRIP projects that commenced between July 2018 and June 2020. These include specific Reef Water Quality and Paddock to Reef projects as well as projects focused on improving the condition of our natural resource assets. There are also numerous state-wide projects aimed at developing frameworks to produce natural resource indicators and the reporting of state-wide indicator data.

More information:

• Natural Resources Investment Program

The NWMP, some 375,000 square kilometres of North West Queensland encompassing towns such as Mount Isa, Cloncurry and Julia Creek, contains one of the world’s richest deposits of critical minerals that are essential components for the production of emerging technologies, such as electric vehicles, renewable energy products, storage and low-emission power sources.

Outcomes

The Queensland Government has delivered a range of actions through the Blueprint and Strategy Implementation Plan 2019-2021 to strengthen further the North West Queensland region and its communities.

The Queensland Government developed a support package for mine workers affected by the closure of Glencore’s Mount Isa Copper Operations and Lady Loretta Zinc Mine. The support package will include:

• Up to $30 million to accelerate development of resource projects in the North West Minerals Province.
• Up to $20 million to be matched dollar-for-dollar by Glencore for an economic structural adjustment package for Mount Isa and North West Queensland.

Plastics have become part of our everyday lives, providing many positive benefits to society. However, with increased population and consumption, the reliance on plastic has grown exponentially, particularly in convenience and single-use plastic products. Plastic pollution is a growing problem. When plastic ends up in the wrong place, it can negatively impact the health of our communities, our environment and wildlife.

Queensland’s Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan (Plastic Plan) was released on 7 November 2019 and sets the direction for Queensland’s participation in a national and global solution to plastic pollution. The Plastic Plan identifies and prioritises actions at every supply chain step to help reduce plastic waste and the amount of plastic in and entering the environment.

Actions within the Plastic Plan support a transition to a circular economy through avoidance and reuse behaviours. The Plastic Plan also looks for economic opportunities to create a plastic circular economy through investment in:

• plastic reprocessing
• remanufacturing
• market development
• new products as alternatives to plastic.

The Plan’s key outcomes to date

• A ban on single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, unenclosed bowls, and expanded polystyrene (EPS) takeaway containers and EPS cups.
• Expanding the Plastic Free Places program across Queensland, broadening the scope to include the tourism and accommodation sector.
• Investment in research and innovation, including the Beyond Cups Innovation Challenge.
• A ban on cotton buds with plastic stems, plastic microbeads in rinseable personal care and cleaning products, loose-fill EPS packaging material, and introducing reusability standards and a requirement for recycled plastic content for heavyweight plastic shopping bags with a thickness of 35 microns or more.
• A ban on the release of lighter-than-air balloons.
• Establishment of the Solving Plastic Waste Co-operative Research Centre.

The report ‘Banned single-use plastic items: Review of Part 3A and 3AA Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011’ highlighted the effectiveness of the bans in:

• removing harmful plastics from the environment
• reducing the number of single-use lightweight plastic shopping bags supplied, used and littered.

The report also showed the success of educating the community on the harmful effects of single-use plastics.

More information:

• Tackling plastic waste
• Banned single-use plastic items: Review of Part 3A and 3AA Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011

More information:

• QCoast2100

The Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy (Q-CAS) was released in 2017. Its vision is an innovative and resilient Queensland that addresses the risks and harnesses the opportunities of a changing climate.

The Q-CAS is centred around a partnership approach that:

• recognises climate change as everyone’s responsibility
• requires a collaborative approach to ensure climate resilience is embedded in Queensland’s diverse economies, landscapes, and communities.

The Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy and the Sector Adaptation Plans outline actions to support adaptation outcomes for the community, local governments, key sectors and systems and the Queensland Government.

Outcomes

Specific sector plans have been published for:

• Human Health and Wellbeing Climate Change Adaptation Plan for Queensland (H-CAP)
• Built Environment and Infrastructure Sector Adaptation Plan (BE&I SAP)
• Building a resilient tourism industry: Queensland tourism climate change response plan (Tourism SAP)
• Agriculture Sector Adaptation Plan (Ag SAP)
• Biodiversity and Ecosystems Climate Adaptation Plan (B&E CAP)
• The Small and Medium Enterprise Sector Adaptation Plan (SME SAP)
• Emergency Management Sector Adaptation Plan for climate change (EM SAP)

The Queensland Government has committed to an affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity system, consistent with supporting the State’s emissions reduction target of net zero by 2050.

Queensland’s electricity system is evolving. Queensland’s future electricity system will need:

• new large-scale renewable generation to continue to ensure supply can meet demand
• additional storage (long-duration, medium duration and short duration) to shift energy over time, to when it is needed
• additional flexible, dispatchable capacity, like gas, to ensure ongoing reliability as the system includes more variable generation and to meet peak demand periods
• household energy assets, such as rooftop solar, household batteries and electric vehicles, to be integrated and coordinated in the electricity system to support an affordable, reliable system
• new transmission infrastructure to move power around the state to where it is needed.

Outcomes:

• As of 30 June 2024, Queensland boasted 55 large-scale renewable energy projects (operating, under construction or financially committed) since 2015.
• As of 30 June 2024, these renewable energy projects represented:
  • more than a $12 billion investment
  • around 9,000 construction jobs
  • over 6,000 megawatts (MW) of clean energy
  • more than 16 million tonnes of avoided emissions each year.
• Combined with rooftop solar, the state has more than 10,000MW of renewable energy capacity, putting downward pressure on electricity prices. In total, 27% of Queensland’s electricity is generated from renewable energy sources (as of 30 June 2024).

Flooding causes more damage in Queensland than any other natural hazard.

Effective and strategic flood risk management is essential for the state’s long-term economic, social and environmental sustainability.

The Queensland Flood Risk Management Framework (QFRMF):

• sets the direction for flood risk management statewide
• describes roles and responsibilities
• guides and supports decision-making by councils
• outlines building capability and capacity through leadership, governance, accountability and knowledge.

It has been informed by monitoring, review, communication and consultation processes, and provides details of the legislative and policy landscape.

Outcomes

• QRA developed five metrics in consultation with stakeholders to support measuring improvements in flood risk management and resilience for all Queensland communities:
  1. Annual investment in flood risk management
  2. Risk-based land use planning
  3. Flood study coverage
  4. Accessible flood information
  5. Flood warning infrastructure
• These metrics have been measured for all local government areas statewide to develop the baseline metrics report.
• Progress is being measured against this baseline annually to monitor changes in flood risk management practices prescribed under the QFRMF.  Progress is reported against the baseline metrics and presented to the SRRG.
• Annual and trend reports are published on QRA’s website: www.qra.qld.gov.au/flood-risk/metrics

The data sourced for the flood risk metrics involves both qualitative and quantitative analysis, and included desktop studies, analysis of existing datasets, and engagements with councils.

There is currently an important additional investment in critical studies, which will greatly improve the availability of local data available in some local government areas, in particular, for flood studies and the use of flood intelligence systems.

Further information on this can be found at –- https://www.qra.qld.gov.au/frmp-2021-22-wp3

The $34.25 million Flood studies, risk assessment and management strategies and intelligence systems (WP3) work package is part of the $49 million Flood Risk Management Program (FRMP) - a component of the jointly funded Australian and Queensland Government (50:50) 2021-22 Rainfall and Flooding - Exceptional circumstances Category C and D funding package approved under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

More information:

• Queensland Flood Risk Management Framework
• Flood Studies, Risk Assessment and Management Strategies and Intelligence Systems (WP3)

The Queensland Future Climate Science Program is delivered through a partnership between the Queensland Government and The University of Queensland. The program involves:

• downscaling global climate models to provide high-resolution climate projections for Queensland
• analysis of climate extremes
• translation into knowledge and climate services.

Outcomes

• The program has downscaled two generations of climate models (CMIP5 and 6) used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to inform climate actions globally.
• It has produced climate projections of future climate hazards and extremes for five different future emissions pathways at a regional scale to support climate adaptation and enable resilience-building for natural disasters at the local government level.
• Queensland’s high-resolution climate projections are nationally and globally recognised among subject matter experts and have been featured in several scientific papers.
• The projections feature mean climate (e.g. temperature, rainfall, wind and solar radiation) and climate extremes (e.g. heatwaves, downpours, tropical cyclones, droughts and fire risk). They were designed to support industry, government, businesses, communities, and households.
• The program’s flagship product, the Queensland Future Climate Dashboard, is among Australia’s top climate projections resources. It provides tailored data and information for over 400 Queensland regions and locations.
• The dashboard is a critical resource that provides all Queenslanders with access to high-quality, trusted climate change projection information in multiple formats to underpin physical climate risk assessments and adaptation strategies.
• The program’s data and information is already supporting assessments of climate risks by government agencies and other organisations.
• The program underpinned the State Heatwave Risk Assessment for Queensland and the Severe Wind Hazard Assessment for Queensland.
• Queensland’s high-resolution climate projections support the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements and are a key component of the National Partnership for Climate Projections.

The roadmap will assist Queensland agribusinesses and the broader supply chain to lower their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions without impacting food and fibre supply. Agricultural sector industries can use the roadmap to set and deliver against their targets, with actions identified across five pathways:

• livestock emissions
• cropping and horticulture emissions
• on-farm energy opportunities
• carbon farming and landscape management
• regions and supply chains.

Outcomes

• The Queensland Government partnered with AgForce and the Queensland Farmers' Federation to develop the roadmap, which will evolve as the needs and ambitions of partners change. This process will ensure the roadmap remains current and relevant to the sector.

The Queensland Organics Strategy 2022–2032 and Queensland Organics Action Plan 2022–2032 collectively provide the overarching framework and sequence of actions to:

• avoid the generation of food waste
• improve the end-use management of organic resources that can’t be avoided.

The Organics Strategy sets targets that by 2030, Queensland will:

• halve the amount of food waste generated
• divert 80% of the organic material generated from landfill
• achieve a minimum organics recycling rate of 70%.

Key outcomes to date

• Partnership with End Food Waste Australia to conduct food waste avoidance research.
• Development of a Horticulture Sector Action Plan.
• In 2024, the EcoMarines school education program was expanded across Queensland and delivered in 227 Queensland education institutions.
• Two rounds of a Food Rescue Grant Program to increase food rescue capacity were delivered.
• Launch of a $151M GROW FOGO Fund to support new council organic waste services.

More information:

• Queensland Organics Strategy 2022-2023
• Queensland Organics Action Plan 2022 - 2032

The Queensland Recovery Plan, a sub-plan to the Queensland State Disaster Management Plan (QSDMP), outlines recovery requirements for operations, planning and arrangements at local, district and state levels. The plan drives a collaborative and coordinated approach across all recovery functions, levels of government and the community and ensures recovery operations are appropriate to the scale of the disaster event.

Outcomes

• The Queensland Recovery Plan describes the arrangements for transition from response to recovery. It highlights the roles and responsibilities of the following roles to assist disaster-impacted communities in achieving optimum recovery outcomes:
  • State Recovery Policy and Planning Coordinator
  • State Recovery Coordinator
  • five Functional Recovery and Resilience Groups.
• The Queensland Recovery Plan promotes resilience enhancement through recovery. It provides information and guidance to stakeholders on the governance, planning, and operational issues relating to disaster recovery for all hazards.

The Queensland Recovery Plan was endorsed and approved by the Queensland Government on 11 October 2021 and updated in 2023 to incorporate Machinery of Government changes.

The Queensland State Disaster Management Plan:

• establishes the overarching state framework, arrangements and practices that enable current and future disaster management in Queensland
• includes guidance for disaster management stakeholders by providing commentary and directions to supporting documents, such as plans, strategies and guidelines
• aims to mitigate the effects of, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and build resilience to disaster events in the current and future climates.

Outcomes

• Warnings information is available across:
  • storm, flood and cyclone warnings
  • weather and information warnings
  • local government disaster dashboards
  • bushfire warnings
  • extreme heatwave warnings.

Available plans include:

• Local Disaster Management Plans and Resources
• District Disaster Management Plans
• State Disaster Management Plans
• National Plans.

The statewide ambient air monitoring program provides baseline data to:

• assess Queensland’s air quality against relevant air quality standards or objectives
• meet state and Commonwealth legislative reporting obligations
• evaluate the effectiveness of management strategies to improve air quality
• inform the public of the state of Queensland’s air environment.

Since the severe 2019-2020 summer bushfires, the statewide ambient air monitoring network has expanded from 30 to 99 locations, providing communities with more locally relevant information to make informed decisions that protect their health during poor air quality episodes.

More information:

• Air reports and plans
• Air quality monitoring

The Queensland Government is committed to strengthening disaster resilience so our communities are better equipped to deal with the increasing prevalence of natural disasters.

The QSDR:

• promotes a systems approach to resilience, connecting a range of agencies and sectors to deliver improved outcomes
• aims to embed resilience activities into business as usual
• mandates the need for collaboration across stakeholders, ensuring the four objectives,19 strategic commitments, and 52 actions are clearly outlined with agreed-upon responsible lead agencies for delivery.

The Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) developed the QSDR after extensive consultation with partner delivery agencies as the lead agency for disaster recovery, resilience, and mitigation policy. The Premier launched the QSDR on 20 September 2022.

Outcomes

• The QSDR builds on the excellent work completed through the Resilient Queensland initiative. Every region across Queensland is now part of a locally led and regionally coordinated blueprint to strengthen disaster resilience. The Regional Resilience Strategies were completed as a deliverable under the previous QSDR 2017.
• With the updated QSDR, Queensland can continue strengthening resilience in human and social, built, economic, environmental, and roads and transport.
• Lead agencies are responsible for delivering, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting actions with support from the partner agencies identified. Six-monthly progress reports are provided to the State Resilience and Recovery Group (SRRG) to measure progress in developing increased levels of resilience
• The second progress report was tabled at the November 2024 meeting of the interim SRRG. It indicated that two actions have been completed, and 50 are in progress.

More information:

• Queensland Strategy for Disaster Resilience

Released in 2019, the Queensland Walking Strategy seeks to make walking an easy choice for everyone every day in Queensland from 2019–2029. The strategy’s action plan and progress report are updated every two years to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges and help prioritise the Queensland Government’s efforts towards the strategy’s four priority areas.

The Action Plan for Walking 2022-2024 is the second action plan under the strategy. Its 35 practical and targeted actions will build on the 44 actions delivered under the first plan. Development of a third action plan was commenced in 2024.

More information:

• Queensland Walking Strategy
• Action Plan for Walking

The Queensland Government remains committed to reducing emissions and protecting our environment. Increasing the uptake of ZEVs will play an essential role in contributing to the Queensland Government's target of net zero emissions by 2050.

On 16 March 2022, the Queensland Government released Queensland's Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy 2022-2032 (ZEV Strategy) and Action Plan 2022-2024.

The ZEV Strategy

The ZEV Strategy sets a vision for a cleaner, greener, integrated transport and energy network that:

• encourages zero-emission transport solutions
• contributes to Queensland's net zero emissions target.

The ZEV Strategy sets clear targets to stimulate investment and provide consumer confidence to transition to Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) in Queensland. It includes:

• 50 per cent of new passenger vehicle sales to be ZEVs by 2030, with 200,000 light ZEVs by 2027
• 100 per cent of new passenger vehicle sales to be ZEVs by 2036
• 100 per cent of eligible QFleet passenger vehicles to be ZEVs by 2026
• Every new TransLink-funded bus added to the fleet to be a zero-emission bus
  • from 2025 in South East Queensland
  • from 2025-2030 across regional Queensland.

The ZEV Action Plan

The ZEV Action Plan 2022–2024 details the initiatives and actions that continue to shift Queenslanders to ZEVs while enjoying the benefits of an integrated energy and transport system.

ZEV Rebate Scheme

Under the ZEV Strategy, Queensland is investing $55 million to accelerate the shift to ZEVs, with $45 million allocated to a rebate scheme for the purchase of eligible new electric vehicles (EVs) and a $10 million charging infrastructure co-fund with industry, to provide further public EV fast-charging infrastructure across Queensland.

The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Rebate Scheme has significantly contributed to the increase in electric vehicles (EVs) in Queensland. Since the scheme's launch in July 2022, and with the enhancements made in 2023, the number of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) registered in Queensland has substantially risen.

• As of June 2024, 46,323 BEVs were registered in the state reached 46,323
• In January 2023, 16,731 were registered.
• This 36% growth reflects a strong upward trend in EV adoption, driven partly by the rebate scheme’s financial incentives.

EV charging sites

Additional public charging sites delivered under the co-fund will complement the existing Queensland Electric Super Highway (QESH) network, ensuring Queenslanders and tourists continue to have the confidence to access charging sites across more locations. To date, six of the planned 46 co-fund sites have been delivered at:

• Calliope/Miriam Vale
• Pimpama
• Rockhampton
• Bowen
• Beaudesert
• Hervey Bay.

The remaining sites will be delivered by the end of 2025.

More information:

• Zero Emission Vehicles Strategy
• Queensland's Electric Super Highway
• Queensland Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme
• Queensland’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Scheme

The Queensland Government remains committed to reducing emissions and protecting our environment. Increasing the uptake of ZEVs will play an essential role in contributing to the Queensland Government's target of net zero emissions by 2050.

On 16 March 2022, the Queensland Government released Queensland's Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy 2022-2032 (ZEV Strategy) and Action Plan 2022-2024.

The ZEV Strategy

The ZEV Strategy sets a vision for a cleaner, greener, integrated transport and energy network that:

• encourages zero-emission transport solutions
• contributes to Queensland's net zero emissions target.

The ZEV Strategy sets clear targets to stimulate investment and provide consumer confidence to transition to Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) in Queensland. It includes:

• 50 per cent of new passenger vehicle sales to be ZEVs by 2030, with 200,000 light ZEVs by 2027
• 100 per cent of new passenger vehicle sales to be ZEVs by 2036
• 100 per cent of eligible QFleet passenger vehicles to be ZEVs by 2026
• Every new TransLink-funded bus added to the fleet to be a zero-emission bus
  • from 2025 in South East Queensland
  • from 2025-2030 across regional Queensland.

The ZEV Action Plan

The ZEV Action Plan 2022–2024 details the initiatives and actions that continue to shift Queenslanders to ZEVs while enjoying the benefits of an integrated energy and transport system.

ZEV Rebate Scheme

Under the ZEV Strategy, Queensland has invested $55 million to accelerate the shift to ZEVs, with $45 million allocated to a rebate scheme for the purchase of eligible new electric vehicles (EVs) and a $10 million charging infrastructure co-fund with industry, to provide further public EV fast-charging infrastructure across Queensland.

The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Rebate Scheme has significantly contributed to the increase in electric vehicles (EVs) in Queensland. Since the scheme's launch in July 2022, and with the enhancements made in 2023, the number of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) registered in Queensland has substantially risen.

• As of June 2024, 46,323 BEVs were registered in the state
• In January 2023, 16,731 BEVs were registered.
• This 36% growth reflects a strong upward trend in EV adoption, driven partly by the rebate scheme’s financial incentives.

EV charging sites

Additional public charging sites delivered under the co-fund will complement the existing Queensland Electric Super Highway (QESH) network, ensuring Queenslanders and tourists continue to have the confidence to access charging sites across more locations. As of June 2024, six of the planned 46 co-fund sites have been delivered at:

• Calliope/Miriam Vale
• Pimpama
• Rockhampton
• Bowen
• Beaudesert
• Hervey Bay.

The remaining sites will be delivered by the end of 2025.

More information:

• Queensland's Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy
• Queensland's Electric Super Highway
• Queensland Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme
• Queensland’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Scheme

The annual recycling and waste in Queensland report presents data and trends for waste recovery, recycling and disposal in Queensland.

The report provides valuable insight about the state’s recycling and waste management activities, which all inform policy development and decision-makers in the waste and resource recovery industry, local government, and the Queensland Government.

• The report is informed by the Annual Waste Data Survey, which: captures data about waste generation, resource recovery, treatment and disposal provides a range of government and industry stakeholders statewide with access to high-quality, accurate waste data, while protecting survey respondent privacy and commercial confidentiality.

Such data is critical to stakeholder planning and decision-making at the micro and macro levels. It ensures better productivity, increases the likelihood of opportunities being identified and leveraged, and challenges managed.

The department prepares the report as part of its obligations under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011.

More information:

• Recycling and waste in Queensland report

To maintain the affordability of public transport in South East Queensland (SEQ), the Queensland Government did not increase fares in 2024. Moderate increases in fares (well below CPI) occurred in 2022 and 2023.

The Queensland Government reduced public transport fares to a flat 50-cent rate across all zones on the Translink network for six months from Monday, 5 August 2024.  Customers paid the 50-cent fare applied on buses, trains, ferries, trams and on-demand services in SEQ. Airtrain fares were also reduced, with tickets starting from $10.95 during the same period. The trial aimed to ease congestion on roads and help with the cost of living.

Previously, the Queensland Government’s Fairer Fares scheme, introduced in December 2016, saved SEQ public transport customers over $427 million by reducing the number of zones from 23 to 8 and providing additional discounts, including the extension of the 20 per cent off-peak discount period, free travel for kids on weekends, and additional concession fares.

More information:

• Translink

The Queensland Government’s emissions reductions initiatives include transport and infrastructure.

• Building sustainable roads: Using recycled materials has the potential to deliver significant benefits, including cost savings, reduced landfill, environmental protection, network performance, a circular economy and reduced emissions.
• Waste 2 Resource (W2R) Strategy: This strategy, which sits under TMR’s Environmental Sustainability Policy, sets the strategic direction and intent to minimise waste and achieve a more sustainable use of resources across the department.
• Active transport investment program: TMR is building active transport networks across the state that promote healthy lifestyles and reduce transport emissions.
• Queensland Electric Super Highway: Completion of fast-charging stations at 54 locations will facilitate electrical vehicle use on major transport corridors.
• Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy 2022-2032: This whole-of-government strategy targets 50% new passenger vehicles to be zero-emission by 2030 and 100% by 2036. It includes 100% of eligible Queensland Government fleet passenger vehicles to be zero-emission by 2026, and every new TransLink-funded bus added to the fleet to be a zero-emission bus from 2025 in South East Queensland and from 2025-2030 across regional Queensland.
• Infrastructure Sustainability Council rating on project >$100m: Sustainability assessment of major projects using the IS Rating Scheme’s 15% emission reduction target.
• Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting replacement project: The Queensland Government is replacing obsolete road lights with high-performing Light Emitting Diode (LED) luminaires as well as Smart Light Control units.
• Climate risks to transport infrastructure are being managed through the Climate Change Risk Assessments for Infrastructure Projects. This includes Engineering Policy 170 Climate Change and Natural Hazards Risk Assessment and the Climate Change and Natural Hazards Risk Assessment Guideline.
• The National Asset Centre of Excellence (NACOE) is a collaborative research agreement between Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Australian Road Research Board through an ongoing program. Our research focuses on resilience and carbon emission reduction for transport infrastructure in project streams, including pavements, asset management, structures, network operations, road safety and sustainability.

Outcomes

• Two million square metres of pavement has been recycled using hot-in-place asphalt recycling (HIPAR).
• W2R Plan Tender Schedule S12 – a new tender schedule requiring tenderers to submit details of the quantities of recycled materials they propose to use. The schedule prompts tenderers to consider the use of recycled materials and to provide continuous feedback about market conditions.
• The W2R Calculator allows the department to use data to monitor the uptake and trends of recycled materials, resource efficiency and waste reduction.
• The W2R Annual Report provides greater detail on how the department manages waste. For example, the total waste we generated in 2021-2022 was 685,309 tonnes, of which 85% was diverted (reused or recycled) and 15% was disposed to landfills.
• Based on the current use level, the Zero Emission Bus Program will save 12,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a month.

Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting replacement project

• In 2022–23, the government replaced 6,288 obsolete road lights with high-performing Light Emitting Diode (LED) luminaires and installed 7,234 Smart Light Control units.
• More than 25,521 have been installed since delivery commenced in 2017.

The Queensland Government is working to reduce carbon emissions from the built environment.

Initiatives include:

• requiring sustainability assessments for all capital works programs over $100 million as part of the   State Infrastructure Plan
• delivering $2 billion in rebates and initiatives under the Affordable Energy Plan to help households and businesses reduce energy use and maintain energy affordability
• boosting our entrepreneurial culture, supporting innovation and growth, building on our natural advantages and bringing new energy efficient products and services to Queensland as part of the $755 million Advance Queensland initiative
• delivering environmentally, socially and economically sustainable communities through Economic Development Queensland’s adoption of the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s EnviroDevelopment certification framework
• partnering with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland to deliver the ecoBiz program, which has helped Queensland businesses achieve an energy saving, on average, of 17 per cent since 2013 through access to personal coaching, training and tools to improve energy efficiency. During the 2023-24 Financial Year, the ecoBiz program delivered a total of 12,077 tCO₂-e avoided emissions
• advocating for the development of improved national energy efficiency building codes
• consolidating development policies in the State Planning Policy and ShapingSEQ Regional Plan, to encourage housing in well connected, accessible and well serviced areas.

More information:

• Affordable Energy Plan
• Advance Queensland Innovation Agenda
• Queensland’s Planning System

A key deliverable of the previous Queensland Strategy for Disaster Resilience 2017-2021 was 14 Regional Resilience Strategies. Every region across Queensland is now part of a locally led, regionally coordinated and state-facilitated blueprint to strengthen disaster resilience.

Every community is different, so these strategies have used a co-design process and place-based approach. The strategies:

• recognise communities are best placed to understand and identify their needs
• reflect local communities working together and sharing local knowledge to address local risks.

Outcomes

• The Regional Resilience Strategies have been delivered as a commitment under the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
• All councils that participated in the co-design process now have a Local Resilience Action Plan, which provides a clear plan for making lasting change through sustained investment in resilience and mitigation activities.
• Over 4,400 local resilience actions have been identified statewide. Local Resilience Action Plans aim to support councils in being proactive in describing their local resilience needs and building a program that can be matched to funding opportunities as they emerge.

More information:

• Regional Resilience Strategies

The Australian Government set a Renewable Energy Target (RET) to reduce electricity sector emissions and increase renewable energy use. The target is 33,000 gigawatt hours of additional renewable energy generation annually between 2020 and 2030.

RET has two schemes:

• The Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) creates a financial incentive for establishing or expanding renewable energy power stations, such as wind and solar farms or hydroelectric power stations, by creating a market for large-scale renewable generation certificates.
• The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) creates a financial incentive for households, small businesses and community groups to install eligible small-scale renewable energy systems, such as solar water heaters, heat pumps, solar photovoltaic systems, small-scale wind systems or small-scale hydro systems.

More information:

• Renewable Energy Target

The Queensland and Australian Governments developed the Resilient Homes Fund (RHF) to help Queenslanders across 39 local government areas whose homes were impacted by the 2021-2022 floods. The Fund has aimed to help as many Queenslanders as possible with the funding available. It includes several programs.

• The Resilient Retrofit program provides funding to repair (enhance resilience) or retrofit homes.
• The Home Raising program provides funding to raise homes to reduce the impacts of future flood events.
• The Voluntary Home Buy-Back program provided funding to councils to buy-back homes which were the most severely impacted or at greatest risk of future flooding.
• The industry and community education resources are an integral component of the RHF aimed at supporting homeowners to understand their flood risk and better understand what they can do to mitigate or reduce their risk.
• In limited circumstances, homeowners may be eligible for financial assistance to demolish and rebuild their home or relocate an area of a home above the assessed flood level.

Outcomes

More than 6,500 homeowners registered for the RHF before registrations closed on 30 July 2023. A total of 685 homes were bought back under the Voluntary Home Buy-Back (VHBB) program. As at 5 March 2025, 592 homes have been demolished or relocated.

As at 30 June 2024, 637 homes had been bought back under the Voluntary Home Buy-Back (VHBB) program. Of this, 458 homes had been demolished or relocated.

Work is also continuing with many homeowners who have expressed interest in the other program options of the Resilient Homes Fund, to either raise or retrofit their homes to make them as flood resilient as possible.

The Queensland Resource Recovery Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan is a framework to accelerate this transition and develop Queensland’s resource recovery industries.

In 2021, the Queensland Government announced a 10-year $2.1 billion waste and resource recovery package, including a $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund.

The waste and resource recovery package:

• supports infrastructure and non-infrastructure priorities, facilitating the recovery of more resources from waste
• enables the transition to the circular economy
• continues to ensure households are not directly impacted by the waste levy.

Outcomes

• Supporting developing and implementing 10 regional and four First Nations waste management plans. These plans provide a blueprint for improved waste management and resource recovery practices and support the transition to a circular economy.
• The Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund, delivered in partnership with the Australian Government, funds projects that improve waste material sorting, processing, recycling and remanufacturing.
• The Regional and Remote Recycling Modernisation Fund, co-funded with the Australian Government, provided grants of up to $500,000 for local governments and their industry partners to improve the viability of waste sorting, processing, recycling or remanufacturing in regional Queensland.
• The Recycling Enterprise Precincts Guideline and Location Strategy have been published to increase economic opportunities and help facilitate industrial land growth.
• Since the launch of the roadmap in August 2019, 46 business and local government projects have received funding, diverting 1.41 million tonnes of waste annually from landfills, delivering an additional $255 million in capital investment and creating more than 468 jobs across Queensland

More information:

• Resource recovery
• Queensland Resource Recovery Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan

The Safeguard Mechanism is an Australian Government policy to reduce emissions at heavily emitting facilities, producing more than 100,000 tonnes of CO₂-e per annum.

It sets emissions limits (baselines) on individual facilities that decline over time. Facilities that overachieve on their baselines can earn Safeguard Mechanism Credits that can be banked for the future or sold to entities that are emitting above their baselines. Facilities can also use Australian Carbon Credit Units to meet their baselines.

More information:

• Safeguard Mechanism

Scientific Information for Land Owners (SILO) is a database of Australian climate data from 1889 to yesterday. It provides daily meteorological datasets for various climate variables in ready-to-use formats to support industry, government, businesses, communities, and households.

SILO uses weather station data and mathematical interpolation techniques with an emphasis on automating processes to infill spatial and temporal gaps, such as remote locations and poor time coverage.

Outcomes

• SILO has a solid reputation for Australian climate data and is widely used across multiple sectors, with an average of 25,000 data requests and over 2,000 users a day.
• The database is paramount in several agricultural applications and services, such as FORAGE, AussieGRASS, drought monitoring and outreach.
• SILO underpins the Queensland Hydrology services, including decision support tools for urban water supply and reservoir management.
• SILO supports the management of natural disasters.
• The insurance and consultancy industries widely use SILO.
• SILO informs Queensland’s transition to renewable energy, mapping out suitable regions for solar and wind farms.
• SILO supports the State of the Environment Report.

The Severe Wind Hazard Assessment for Queensland—SWHA(Q)—was delivered as a collaborative project between the former Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), the Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), James Cook University and Geoscience Australia (GA).

Developed in response to the 2017 Cyclone Debbie Review, the assessment project’s core aim was to provide realistic and tangible information on the potential physical impacts of tropical cyclones on Queensland communities. The suite of hazard management tools delivered through the project enables the emergency management sector, local governments and communities across Queensland to work more effectively through current and future risks posed by cyclones, including long-term strategic risk management strategies.

Tropical Cyclone Hazard Dashboard

The Queensland Government's Tropical Cyclone Hazard Dashboard enables users to interactively query the current and future risk of severe winds related to tropical cyclones across Queensland's regions and communities. The dashboard is an example of collaborative hazard assessment using Queensland's high-resolution climate simulations to build preparedness for natural disasters.

Tropical cyclones preparedness

Guidance is provided to Queenslanders on how to prepare and act when a cyclone is imminent, when it strikes and what to do afterwards.

Severe Wind Hazard Assessment for South East Queensland

The Severe Wind Hazard Assessment for South East Queensland (SWHA-SEQ) project was developed following the Severe Wind Hazard Assessment for Queensland and acknowledging the heightened risk in the SEQ region given its high exposure (large and growing population) and vulnerability associated with the region’s building design standards.

The project was a collaboration between:

• six local government areas (Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Brisbane, Redlands and Gold Coast)
• Queensland State Government departments (the former Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, the Department of Energy and Public Works, the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, and the Department of State Development, Local Government and Planning)
• the Queensland Reconstruction Authority
• the Insurance Council of Australia
• Insurance Australia Group Ltd
• Suncorp
• James Cook University Cyclone Testing Station
• The University of Queensland
• Geoscience Australia.

A Geoscience Australia-led research team, including the James Cook University Cyclone Testing Station and The University of Queensland, delivered the project.

More information:

• Severe Wind Assessment for Queensland
• Tropical Cyclone Hazard Dashboard
• Tropical Cyclone Preparedness Guide
• Severe Wind Hazard Assessment for South East Queensland - SWHA-SEQ Technical Report

Local governments prepare shoreline erosion management plans with technical advice from the state. These plans support localised, science-based and sustainable responses to shoreline erosion issues within areas under imminent threat.

More information:

• Preparing a shoreline erosion management plan

The 2019 State Heatwave Risk Assessment (SHRA) provides a foundational heatwave risk assessment for all tiers of government, non-government organisations, not-for-profit organisations, disaster management groups, and others with legislated roles in disaster management. It is the first jurisdictionally based risk assessment to feature long-term climate change projections using downscaled regional modelling.

The State Heatwave Risk Assessment was developed collaboratively to provide all stakeholders with clear and consistent information about the changing nature of heatwave risk in Queensland.

The assessment found that the extreme heatwaves and bushfires across Queensland in 2018–2019 indicated that the state is facing unprecedented challenges in understanding and responding to the impacts of natural hazards in a changing climate.

The assessment includes long-term climate change projections, an Australian first for hazard-specific, emergency management-related risk assessments. This robust scientific basis enhances the assessment. It also enables state agencies and disaster management groups to use it to inform their planning against current and future heatwave risks.

More information:

• State Heatwave Risk Assessment

Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) undertook the Statewide Assessment of Flood Risk Factors project to provide an overview of Queensland's strengths, needs, gaps and challenges in delivering contemporary flood risk management.

The Queensland Flood Risk Management Framework (QFRMF) is the first comprehensive statewide assessment of flood risk management processes. It is based on an analysis of key flood risk factors across every local government area in Queensland using data current as of December 2022. Final technical report was delivered in May 2023.

For this project, QRA consulted with councils, industry and other state agencies. The outcome will be stronger flood risk management capability across Queensland.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships (QPWS&P), manages more than 13 million hectares of protected area and forest estate across Queensland.

QPWS&P is responsible for fire management in the protected area and forest estate that it manages. QPWS&P fire management objectives are to:

• protect life, critical infrastructure and assets from the adverse impacts of fire,
• maintain and restore the natural and cultural values of the protected area and forest estate,
• protect the social and economic values of the protected area and forest estate and that of its neighbours.

Fire management targets

QPWS&P has two state-wide targets for its fire management program.

• More than 5% of the QPWS&P managed estate has fuel loads reduced by planned burning to reduce fire risk to life and property and protect biodiversity.
• More than 90% of the scheduled one-quarter of the total area of protection zones is treated across the state annually to protect life and property.

These targets are measured using the financial year.

Reducing the adverse effects of bushfires

The Strategic Fire Management Program (SFMP) provides one of the main funding sources for rangers to deliver priority planned burn programs, including aerial incendiary programs, and the non-burn treatments of protection zones.

The SFMP is one of QPWS&P’s critical programs for on-ground delivery of fire management because it works towards the fire management objectives and delivery of fire management targets.

The successful implementation of the priority planned burn program and the maintenance of protection zones are critical for reducing the risks of adverse impacts from bushfires. The SFMP funding has averaged around $1.2 million annually over the past five years.

Bushfires in national parks and state forests

In response to the unprecedented bushfire events in 2018, 2019 and a significant bushfire season in 2023, the Queensland Government demonstrated a strong commitment to support bushfire management in national parks and state forests.

In 2024, the Queensland Government committed $39.1 million for the QPWS&P's Fire Management Uplift Program (the Uplift Program). The Uplift Program is aimed at enhancing QPWS&P's capacity to expand its planned burn program (by 5% in 2024-25) and bushfire response capabilities, at both the state and regional levels. This Uplift Program will provide the necessary resources, including additional staff, vehicles, appliances, equipment, and radio communications, to improve QPWS&P's firefighting capabilities and ensure the safety of QPWS&P firefighters and communities.

More specifically, QPWS&P is investing:

• $4.7 million on upgrading, maintaining and establishing firelines to support planned burning and bushfire response.
• $13.4 million on new and replacement heavy plant and equipment required to support the QPWS&P fire program.
• $1.7 million towards accommodation and workbase upgrades across the State.
• $1.6 million for the QPWS&P fire training program, which includes First Nations partners and Land and Sea Rangers.

Within the first six months of 2024, the Uplift Program delivered:

• 239 planned burns and other treatments, reducing bushfire hazard risk for approximately 213,000 hectares;
• the largest total area burnt in planned burn activity, in comparison to the previous four years;
• an approximate 38% increase of planned burn area from 2023-24; and
• an expanded aerial prescribed burn program across the State.

In addition, the agency delivered (and exceeded) on the target that 80% of bushfires, that started on a park or forest during the 2024 Bushfire Risk Period, were to be contained within the QPWS managed area.

More information:

• Fire Management

The Land Restoration Fund (LRF) is growing the carbon farming industry in Queensland by supporting premium land sector carbon farming projects that deliver Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) plus priority environmental, socio-economic, and First Nations co-benefits.

The LRF has two purposes:

• invest in carbon farming projects that deliver additional co-benefits
• broaden the scope of carbon farming in Queensland with investments in research, development and innovation.

Across the first two investment rounds, the LRF has committed $82.1 million for 20 projects that deliver strong community and environmental outcomes. The outcomes expected as verified co-benefits from LRF investment in Queensland-based carbon projects include:

• delivery of more than 1.15 million ACCUs over the next
  16 years, equivalent to more than one million tonnes of carbon dioxide sequestered or avoided
• voluntary restoration or protection of over 13,000 hectares of unregulated (Category X) vegetation as defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999
• direct benefits for threatened species and ecosystems
• direct benefits for the health of the Great Barrier Reef and wetlands.

The LRF has diversified its portfolio by investing $45 million to establish the Queensland Natural Capital Fund (QNCF). The fund aims to facilitate private sector co-investment in land asset acquisitions that generate returns from commercial agricultural activities and environmental markets while producing positive environmental, social and economic co-benefits for Queensland.

In addition, the LRF invests in research and innovation to grow the carbon market and other environmental markets that benefit Queensland’s environment. Examples of this investment include:

• supporting the uptake of blue carbon projects
• the development of new biodiversity credit mechanisms, such as the Cassowary Credit.

More information:

• Land Restoration Fund

The Long Paddock is a Queensland Government initiative providing climate information to the community. The site offers access to rainfall and pasture outlooks and tools to support land management decision-making and planning for landholders, education, consultants and extension officers.

The Science and Technology Division of the Queensland Department of Energy and Climate operates the Long Paddock website with support from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The Queensland Future Climate Dashboard and Regional Explorer provide easy-to-use interfaces to high-resolution climate data and summary information. These online tools allow users to explore climate projection data for over 200 regions, three emissions scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5 and SSP3-7.0), calendar seasons and time steps (2030, 2050, 2070 and 2090).

In addition to high spatial resolution (10km grid), the dashboard provides access to a wide range of climate variables, e.g. extreme events, in multiple formats, including maps, charts, tables and shapefiles to support further analysis and inform risk assessments.

Outcomes

Long Paddock includes information on the following:

• drought declarations
• drought and climate adaptation
• Southern Oscillation Index (used to assess the El Niño Southern Oscillation phenomenon)
• climate outlooks, weather and fire
• scientific information for landowners (SILO provides daily meteorological datasets in ready-to-use formats suitable for biophysical modelling, research and climate applications)
• AussieGRASS rainfall and pasture
• FORAGE (grazing science for property management)
• Queensland future climate
• Australia’s variable rainfall.

Queensland’s Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy is a strategic framework to:

• reduce the amount of waste generated
• grow the resource recovery and recycling industry
• create new jobs
• transition to a circular economy.

The strategy’s implementation is underpinned by a waste disposal levy, which started on 1 July 2019. The levy aims to:

• reduce the amount of waste going to landfill
• encourage waste avoidance
• provide a source of funding to enable better resource recovery practices
• provide certainty and security of feedstocks for advanced technology
• facilitate industry investment in resource recovery infrastructure.

The levy zone includes 39 of 77 local government areas, covering 90% of Queensland’s population, where the majority of waste is generated and disposed. Waste disposed of in the levy zone or waste that originates in the levy zone or interstate and is disposed of in the non-levy zone is liable for the levy.

Of the levy received, 70% is pledged to re-investment in achieving the waste strategy targets.  The re-investment initiatives include supporting councils, scheme start-up and operational costs, industry programs and other environmental priorities.

More information:

• Waste disposal levy

The Queensland Government released the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy (Waste Strategy) on 1 July 2019. The department has been tasked with updating the Waste Strategy to ensure that it remains fit for purpose.

It provides for Queensland’s transition to a zero-waste society, where waste is avoided, reused, and recycled to the greatest possible extent.

The strategy:

• focuses on deliver coordinated, long-term and sustained growth for the recycling and resource recovery sector
• promotes more sustainable practices for businesses, industries and households to help reduce the amount of waste produced and disposed
• will help to retain the value of material in the economy for as long as possible

The strategy sets the following ambitious stretch targets for 2050:

• 25% reduction in household waste
• 90% of waste recovered (diverted from landfill)
• 75% recycling rates across all waste types.

Providing an incentive to recover and recycle materials will help protect the natural environment and conserve natural resources that would otherwise require the input of virgin materials to manufacture new products.

Outcomes

In 2023, a statutory review of the strategy was undertaken, with the review report identifying that Queensland was on track to meet five of the nine 2025 interim targets based on the 2022-2023 data.

However, further analysis of the 2023-2024 data indicates that Queensland is on track to only achieve four of the nine interim targets:

• the construction and demolition waste targets have already been exceeded
• good progress is being made for commercial and industrial waste
• considerable work is required to achieve the municipal solid (household) waste recovery and diversion targets.

Reduction in household waste generation (% reduction from 2017-18 baseline)

Landfill diversion rate (amount diverted as percentage of total waste generated)

*Accelerated progress would be needed to meet target

Recycling rate (amount recycled as percentage of total waste generated)

Definitions:

• Municipal solid waste includes domestic waste and other wastes arising from
  council activities such as the collection of waste from roads, parks and public
  places, beaches, waterways, street sweeping, and the collection of litter and
  illegally dumped waste.
• Commercial and industrial waste includes scrap metal, paper and packaging
  materials, sawmill residues and green waste.
• Construction and demolition waste includes concrete, scrap met al, asphalt, and masonry.

Progress against the targets is published in the final review report of the strategy. Key findings for the 2023-24 Recycling and waste in Queensland report is published on the department’s website in December each year, providing access to open data.

More information:

• Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy
• Recycling and waste in Queensland report
• Final Review report 2024 - Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy