REDLANDERS who make frequent trips to the tip will soon have to pay for the privilege, with Redland City Council introducing a new limit of 12 free landfill and green waste visits a year at its mainland Recycling and Waste Centres.
The new “fair use” system will come into effect on October 6 and applies to the Redland Bay and Birkdale facilities.
Under the changes, residents will receive 12 free visits each financial year to dispose of general mixed waste and green waste before fees apply.
Council says the move is designed to make the system fairer and help curb soaring waste costs, which have climbed by more than 150 per cent over the past decade.
A recent Council audit found just 9 per cent of visitors were responsible for about 40 per cent of all landfill and green waste dumped at the mainland facilities, with some vehicles disposing of several tonnes of waste every year.
Council modelling also found more vehicles were using the city’s waste facilities than there are residential properties across Redlands Coast.
Council says the previous system allowed some people to visit the tip more than 100 times a year while paying the same waste utility charge as households that only visited once or twice.
The changes are also aimed at reducing the impact of commercial waste being disposed of without being declared.
Unlimited free visits will remain for residents dropping off recyclable materials on their own, including cardboard, scrap metal, whitegoods, barbecue gas bottles, lead-acid batteries and reusable items for RecycleWorld.
Residents will also continue to dispose of asbestos and other approved hazardous waste free of charge, provided existing conditions are met.
Fees will continue to apply for bricks and concrete, clean soil, mattresses, timber and tyres.
Council says the new system brings Redlands more into line with other South East Queensland councils, many of which already operate voucher systems or charge gate fees.
The majority of residents are not expected to be affected, with Council data showing only 9 per cent of users currently exceed the new 12-visit annual allowance.
The changes will not apply to Recycling and Waste Centres on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, Coochiemudlo Island or North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah), where existing arrangements will remain.
Exemptions will be available in some circumstances, including declared natural disasters and one-off clean-ups for deceased estates.
Commercial operators and non-residents will continue to pay gate fees for all waste.
Residents will need to show identification and proof of address when entering mainland Recycling and Waste Centres, with visits recorded against each registered passenger vehicle.
Gatehouse operators will also advise drivers how many free visits they have remaining.
