Grants bolster waste recovery efforts

A total of $2.3 million will be provided to infrastructure projects to support the waste and resource recovery sector in Tasmania.

Minister for Environment Madeleine Ogilvie said the Tasmanian Government was reinvesting the landfill levy via grants which provide support to businesses and councils so valuable resources are diverted from landfill.

“Our Government is delivering a range of projects in the pipeline that will make a difference for Tasmanians and which support a circular economy, science and innovation,” Minister Ogilvie said.

“The grants form part of the Tasmanian Government and the Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Board’s support for the waste and resource recovery sector in Tasmania.

“We are working together to move our State forward and these grants continue to be rolled out, supporting the upgrade of facilities, purchase of specialist equipment and collection services.”

The second round of the High Priority Infrastructure Grants Program opened for applications earlier this year, following the success of the first round of grants in 2024.

High Priority Infrastructure Grants Round 2 was open to applicants that currently operate a Tasmanian waste and resource recovery facility that receives more than 1000 tonnes of material per year.

The following nine successful applicants will receive grants from $50,000 to $500,000:

• Central Coast Council – for a plant and infrastructure upgrade of the Lobster Creek Resource Recovery Centre;
• George Town Council – to establish a tip shop at the George Town Waste Transfer Station;
• Meander Valley Council - to establish a community recycling centre at the Deloraine Waste Transfer Station;
• Cradle Coast Envirowaste Pty Ltd – for a vacuum truck waste resource recovery system;
• Southern Waste Solutions – for a resource processing pilot project;
• Horticultural and Landscape Supplies – for food and garden organics processing equipment;
• Huon Valley Council – to establish a permanent reuse shop at the Cygnet Waste Transfer Station;
• Mornington Park Waste Transfer Station Pty Ltd – for a trailer to enable a new food and garden organics collection service; and
• Launceston City Council – to establish a new food organics collection service for businesses and other commercial organisations.

Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Board Chair Pam Allan said she was thrilled to be jointly announcing the successful applicants from this round of the Board’s High Priority Infrastructure Program.

“Each of these grants is a step toward a circular Tasmanian economy—where products are designed to stay in use, repaired when possible, and recycled into new materials here at home," Ms Allan said.

“By moving decisively up the waste hierarchy, we’re backing the sector with the infrastructure, systems and partnerships it needs to grow new industries, build regional jobs and reduce product and material losses to landfill.

“This is about future-proofing Tasmania: reliable recovery infrastructure today, and the foundations for local remanufacturing and innovation tomorrow.”

A full list of successful applicants is available on the Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Board website: https://wrr.tas.gov.au/