Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011

An Act to encourage the proper use of resources by improving ways of reducing and dealing with waste and to repeal the Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Policy 2000

1Short title

This Act may be cited as the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011.

2Commencement

(1)The following provisions commence on 1 December 2011—

•chapter 3, parts 3, 4 and 7

•sections 63 and 65

•chapters 5, 6, 7 and 8

•chapter 15, part 1

•sections 300 and 301

•chapter 16, parts 1, 2 and 3.

(2)Chapter 16, parts 4 to 7 commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

3Objects of Act

The objects of this Act are the following—

(a)to promote waste avoidance and reduction, and resource recovery and efficiency actions;

(b)to promote and facilitate Queensland’s transition to a circular economy;

(c)to promote activities across government, business, industry and the community that extend the life cycle of products and materials;

(d)to reduce the consumption of natural resources and minimise the disposal of waste by encouraging waste avoidance and the recovery, re-use and recycling of waste;

(e)to minimise the overall impact of waste generation and disposal;

(f)to ensure a shared responsibility between government, business and industry and the community in waste management and resource recovery;

(g)to support and implement national frameworks, objectives and priorities for waste management and resource recovery.

s 3 amd 2023 No. 15 s 7

4Achieving Act’s objects

(1)If, under this Act, a function or power is conferred on a person, the person must perform the function or exercise the power in a way that best achieves the objects of this Act.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the achievement of the objects of this Act must if practicable be guided by—

(a)the waste and resource management hierarchy; and

(b)the following policy principles (the waste and resource management principles)—

(i)the circular economy principle;

(ii)the polluter pays principle;

(iii)the user pays principle;

(iv)the proximity principle;

(v)the product stewardship principle.

s 4 amd 2023 No. 15 s 8

5Approach to achieving Act’s objects

The objects of this Act are intended primarily to be achieved through approaches that include the following—

(a)preparation, implementation and maintenance of a waste management strategy for the State;

(b)providing for the preparation of State, local government and industry strategic waste management plans;

(c)price signalling, including through the introduction of a levy on waste delivered to a levyable waste disposal site;

(d)providing for reporting requirements for the State, local governments and business and industry;

(e)banning particular waste disposal;

(f)identifying priority products or priority waste and associated management tools;

(g)preparation, implementation and maintenance of a priority statement;

(h)providing for product stewardship schemes;

(i)waste tracking requirements;

(j)making end of waste codes and granting end of waste approvals;

(k)prohibiting particular conduct in relation to waste;

(l)appointing authorised persons to investigate matters arising under this Act and otherwise to enforce this Act;

(m)supporting approaches mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (l) through the making of regulations under this Act.

s 5 amd 2013 No. 6 s 19; 2014 No. 59 ss 146, 165; 2019 No. 2 s 4

6Act binds all persons

(1)This Act binds all persons, including the State and, to the extent the legislative power of the Parliament permits, the Commonwealth and the other States.

(2)However, the Commonwealth or a State can not be prosecuted for an offence against this Act.

7Definitions

The dictionary in schedule 1 defines particular words used in this Act.

s 7 amd 2023 No. 6 s 145 sch 1

8The concept of disposal

(1)This Act commonly uses the expression disposal in relation to waste.

(2)In practical terms, a primary outcome arising from the implementation of this Act’s provisions is intended to be a reduction in the amount of waste that permanently, or at least indefinitely, effectively becomes incorporated into land, commonly referred to as becoming landfill.

(3)Accordingly, in this Act, a reference to disposal in relation to waste may ordinarily be taken to mean the depositing of the waste, other than on a temporary or short term basis, into or onto land.

(4)Subsection (3) does not limit what disposal may be taken to mean in an appropriate context.

8AA Meaning of waste

(1)Waste includes any thing that—

(a)is left over, or is an unwanted by-product, from an industrial, commercial, domestic or other activity; or

Example—

Abandoned or discarded material from an activity is left over, or is an unwanted by-product, from the activity.

(b)is surplus to the industrial, commercial, domestic or other activity generating the waste.

(2)However, waste does not include—

(a)a resource; or

Note—

See chapter 8.

(b)a thing prescribed by regulation not to be waste.

(3)Waste can be a gas, liquid, solid or energy, or a combination of any of them.

(4)A thing can be waste whether or not it is of value.

(5)Despite subsection (2), a thing that is a resource, or is prescribed by regulation not to be waste, becomes waste if the thing—

(a)is disposed of at a waste disposal site; or

(b)is deposited at a place in a way that—

(i)would, if the thing were waste, contravene the general littering provision or the illegal dumping of waste provision; or

(ii)if the thing is a resource—is not permitted under an end of waste code or end of waste approval.

(6)The Minister may recommend to the Governor in Council the making of a regulation under subsection (2)(b) (a proposed change) only after—

(a)carrying out consultation with the public about the proposed change; and

(b)considering the following matters—

(i)the results of the public consultation about the proposed change;

(ii)whether making the proposed change is likely to achieve the objects of this Act;

(iii)whether making the proposed change is likely to achieve the object of the Environmental Protection Act;

(iv)whether there are other measures that would be more effective in achieving the intended outcome of the proposed change.

(7)In this section—

end of waste approval see section 159(2).

end of waste code see section 159(1).

resource see section 155(2).

s 8AA ins 2023 No. 15 s 9

8AMeaning of waste disposal site

(1)A waste disposal site is a waste facility to which both of the following apply—

(a)the operator of the facility is required to hold an environmental authority for the disposal of waste at the facility;

(b)waste delivered to the facility sometimes includes waste that is subsequently disposed of to landfill at the facility.

(2)However, a waste facility is not a waste disposal site only because a type of exempt waste prescribed by regulation for this definition is disposed of to landfill at the facility.

s 8A (prev s 27) sub 2013 No. 6 s 21 (1)

renum and reloc 2013 No. 6 s 21 (2)

amd 2012 No. 16 s 78 sch amdt 1 (amd 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch amdt 28) (amdt could not be given effect); 2019 No. 2 s 5

9Meaning of waste and resource management hierarchy

The waste and resource management hierarchy is the following precepts, listed in the preferred order in which waste and resource management options should be considered—

(a)AVOID unnecessary resource consumption;

(b)REDUCE waste generation and disposal;

(c)RE-USE waste resources without further manufacturing;

(d)RECYCLE waste resources to make the same or different products;

(e)RECOVER waste resources, including the recovery of energy;

(f)TREAT waste before disposal, including reducing the hazardous nature of waste;

(g)DISPOSE of waste only if there is no viable alternative.

9AMeaning of circular economy principle and circular economy

(1)The circular economy principle is the principle that, to promote waste avoidance and minimise the impact of waste on the environment and human health, all products and materials should be kept in the economy for as long as they have value or remain useful.

(2)The circular economy principle recognises that—

(a)waste generation can be avoided by—

(i)manufacturers designing, to the greatest extent practicable, their products and materials to be circular products and materials; and

(ii)business and industry adopting new business models that support and incentivise the use of circular products and materials; and

(iii)remanufacturing facilities being co-located at, and collaborating with, resource recovery facilities to prevent circular products and materials being disposed of to landfill; and

(b)unavoidable waste should be managed in accordance with the precepts of the waste and resource management hierarchy mentioned in section 9(c) to (g); and

(c)ecosystems are regenerated by reducing the demand for virgin materials; and

(d)the adoption of circular products and materials should be incentivised in ways that increase the value of the products and materials.

(3)A circular economy is an economy in which all products and materials are kept for as long as they have value or remain useful.

(4)In this section—

circular products and materials means products and materials that can be reused, repaired, refurbished, repurposed or remanufactured.

remanufacturing facility means a facility operated to carry out an activity relating to the reuse, repair, refurbishment, repurposing or remanufacturing of products or materials.

resource recovery facility means a facility operated to carry out an activity relating to the receiving and sorting, dismantling or baling of waste.

s 9A ins 2023 No. 15 s 10

10Meaning of polluter pays principle

(1)The polluter pays principle is the principle that all costs associated with the management of waste should be borne by the persons who generated the waste.

(2)The costs associated with the management of waste may include the costs of—

(a)minimising the amount of waste generated; and

(b)containing, treating and disposing of waste; and

(c)rectifying environmental harm caused by waste.

11Meaning of user pays principle

(1)The user pays principle is the principle that all costs associated with the use of a resource should be included in the prices of the goods and services (including government services) that result from the use.

(2)In deciding what are the costs associated with the use of a resource, an amount received from a government as a subsidy, incentive payment, grant or similar payment, that would otherwise reduce the costs, must be disregarded.

12Meaning of proximity principle

The proximity principle is the principle that waste and recovered resources should be managed as close to the source of generation as possible.

13Meaning of product stewardship principle

(1)The product stewardship principle is the principle that there is a shared responsibility between all persons who are involved in the life cycle of a product for managing the environmental, social and economic impact of the product.

(2)The product stewardship principle recognises that different roles and responsibilities may apply at each stage in the life cycle of a product.

(3)However, the product stewardship principle does not apply to an entity—

(a)in relation to a matter to which the packaging NEPM applies; or

(b)if the entity is a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant—in relation to a matter to which the covenant applies; or

(c)if the entity is a signatory to a national product stewardship arrangement, or a State-based product stewardship scheme approved or accredited under this Act, and is meeting its obligations under the arrangement or scheme—in relation to a matter to which the arrangement or scheme applies.

(4)An arrangement mentioned in subsection (3)(c) may be voluntary or mandatory in nature or may include both voluntary and mandatory aspects.

ch 2 hdg sub 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch

ch 2 pt 1 hdg prev pt 1 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch

pres pt 1 hdg ins 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch

ch 2 pt 1 div 1 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch

ch 2 pt 1 div 2 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch

ch 2 pt 1 div 3 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch

ch 2 pt 1 div 4 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch

14Waste management strategy

(1)This part provides for the making of a waste management strategy for the State to help in achieving the objects of this Act.

(2)The waste management strategy is intended as a long-term strategy for—

(a)achieving waste avoidance, sustainable consumption, industry investment in innovation and new infrastructure, strategic regional infrastructure planning, and product stewardship; and

(b)securing continuous improvement in waste management and resource recovery practices, services and technologies, benchmarked against best available technology; and

(c)reducing the climate change impacts of waste management and disposal.

15What may be included in State’s waste management strategy

(1)The State’s waste management strategy may provide for anything affecting, or that may affect or be affected by, the management of waste.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the strategy may provide for the following matters—

(a)a circular economy;

(b)waste avoidance and reduction;

(c)product design;

(d)consumption;

(e)reuse or repair of products and materials;

(f)resource efficiency;

(g)product stewardship;

(h)resource recovery;

(i)recycling, including, for example, standards, criteria and specifications for recycled materials and products containing recycled materials;

(j)priority products or priority waste;

(k)strategic waste management and resource recovery planning;

(l)data collection and reporting.

s 15 amd 2014 No. 59 s 147; 2023 No. 15 s 11

ch 2 pt 2 hdg prev pt 2 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 20

pres pt 2 hdg ins 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch

16Preparation of draft strategy

(1)The chief executive must prepare a draft of the State’s waste management strategy.

(2)The chief executive must give public notice when a draft of the waste management strategy has been prepared.

(3)The notice must—

(a)be published on the department’s website and in any other way the chief executive considers appropriate; and

(b)state where copies of the draft strategy may be inspected; and

(c)invite written submissions from the public on the draft strategy; and

(d)state a day by which the written submissions may be given to the chief executive.

(4)The period for receiving submissions must be at least 28 days.

ch 2 pt 3 hdg ins 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch

17Submissions to be considered when preparing final strategy

(1)The chief executive must prepare, and give to the Minister, a final version of the State’s waste management strategy.

(2)In preparing the final version of the strategy, the chief executive must consider all submissions on the draft strategy given to the chief executive under section 16.

18Approval of final strategy

(1)The final version of the waste management strategy must be approved by the Minister by gazette notice.

(2)The waste management strategy comes into effect as the State’s waste management strategy on the day the Minister’s approval is gazetted or on a later day stated in the gazette notice or in the strategy for that purpose.

(3)The gazette notice in which the Minister approves the waste management strategy must include details about where a copy of the strategy may be inspected and obtained.

(4)The chief executive must publish the waste management strategy in full on the department’s website as soon as practicable after its approval.

19Minor amendment of waste management strategy

(1)A minor amendment of the waste management strategy may be made without complying with the requirements of part 2.

(2)In this section—

minor amendment, of the waste management strategy, means an amendment of the strategy—

(a)to correct a minor error in the strategy; or

(b)to make another change that is not a change of substance; or

(c)on 1 occasion only, to extend the period for which the strategy is in force for a period of not more than 1 year.

s 19 amd 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch

ch 2 pt 4 hdg ins 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch

20Review of State’s waste management strategy

(1)The chief executive must, within 5 years after publishing a final review report under section 22(1), conduct a review of the State’s waste management strategy.

(2)However, reviews may be conducted more frequently as the Minister directs.

s 20 amd 2023 No. 15 s 12

21Preparation of draft review report on waste management strategy

(1)As part of the process of reviewing the State’s waste management strategy, the chief executive must—

(a)prepare a review report in draft form; and

(b)give public notice when the draft has been prepared.

(2)The notice must—

(a)be published on the department’s website and in any other way the chief executive considers appropriate; and

(b)state where copies of the draft review report may be inspected; and

(c)invite written submissions from the public on the draft review report; and

(d)state a day by which the written submissions may be given to the chief executive.

(3)The period for receiving submissions must be at least 28 days.

(4)Without limiting what may be dealt with in a review report, a review report must have regard to goals and targets, however named, included in the waste management strategy.

22Publication of review report and amending or replacement waste management strategy

(1)The chief executive must, within a reasonable time after the period for receiving written submissions on the draft review report has ended, prepare, and publish in full on the department’s website, a final report of the review (the final review report).

(2)In preparing the final review report, the chief executive must consider all submissions on the draft review report given to the chief executive under section 21.

(3)The final review report must outline the findings of the review and may recommend an amendment or replacement of the waste management strategy to implement findings of the review.

(4)The chief executive may prepare and give to the Minister, for approval by gazette notice, a final amending or replacement waste management strategy to implement a recommendation mentioned in subsection (3) without having first prepared and consulted on a draft amending or replacement waste management strategy.

ch 3 hdg sub 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch; 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 1 hdg prev pt 1 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 22

pres pt 1 hdg ins 2013 No. 6 s 25

sub 2019 No. 2 s 6

25Main purpose

The main purpose of this chapter is to impose a levy on waste delivered to a levyable waste disposal site, and to allow for an exemption from the levy, or a discounted levy rate, for particular waste.

s 25 prev s 25 om 2013 No. 6 s 22

pres s 25 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

26Definitions for chapter

In this chapter—

active landfill cell means that part of a landfill where waste is currently being disposed of.

bad debt credit see section 72K(1).

bad debt credit application means an application made under section 72L.

disaster see the Disaster Management Act 2003, section 13.

disaster management waste means waste generated by or because of a disaster that is or has been the subject of a declaration of a disaster situation under the Disaster Management Act 2003, but only within the limits, if any, declared by the chief executive, by publication on the department’s website, for a particular disaster.

disaster situation see the Disaster Management Act 2003, schedule.

discounted rate, for the waste levy for residue waste, see section 44(4).

dredge spoil means natural material that has been removed from a waterway—

(a)for the purpose of creating, maintaining or enlarging a channel, basin, port, berth or other similar thing; or

(b)to undertake flood mitigation activities in naturally occurring surface waters.

due date for payment, of a waste levy amount, means—

(a)if an extension of time has been granted under section 72G, 72H or 72I for payment of the waste levy amount—the end of the extension; or

(b)if there is a waste levy instalment agreement in place between the chief executive and the operator of a levyable waste disposal site who owes the amount—the day provided for in the agreement; or

(c)otherwise—the end of the 28th day of the second month after the end of the levy period for the levyable waste disposal site of the operator who owes the amount.

exempt waste means—

(a)disaster management waste; or

(aa)serious local event waste; or

(b)waste approved by the chief executive to be exempt waste for a particular exempt waste application; or

(c)1 of the following types of waste if lawfully managed and transported—

(i)waste that is any of the following and is not mixed with other types of waste—

(A)non-friable asbestos-containing material;

(B)waste that has asbestos-containing material bonded to it;

(C)any disposal items used during asbestos removal work including plastic sheeting and disposal tools;

(ii)waste containing friable asbestos-containing material that has been removed by the holder of an asbestos removal licence issued under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 or under another licence or authority that authorises the removal of friable asbestos under a law of another State; or

(d)dredge spoil if, for dredge spoil that is acid sulfate soil, the dredge spoil has been treated in accordance with best practice environmental management, within the meaning of the Environmental Protection Act, section 21, for the treatment and management of acid sulfate soils, as stated in a guideline prescribed by regulation; or

(e)waste collected by or for the State, a local government or a plantation licensee under the Forestry Act 1959 to remediate the results of a person having done something that may be an offence under section 103 or 104; or

(f)other waste—

(i)prescribed by regulation to be exempt waste; or

(ii)for which there is in force under this chapter a declaration by the chief executive that the waste is exempt waste.

s 26 def exempt waste amd 2023 No. 15 s 22

exempt waste application see section 28(1).

feedstock, for a recycling activity, means the waste or other material that is to be used for the recycling activity.

friable asbestos-containing material means material containing asbestos that is in powder form or that can be crumbled, pulverized or reduced to powder by hand when dry.

lawfully managed and transported, for asbestos or waste containing asbestos, means managed and transported in compliance with the requirements applying, under the Public Health Act 2005 and any other Act, to its management and transport.

levyable waste means waste, other than exempt waste, that is delivered to a levyable waste disposal site.

levyable waste disposal site—

(a)means a waste disposal site, whether under the ownership or control of the State, a local government or otherwise; but

(b)does not include a part of the waste disposal site that is a resource recovery area.

levy period, for a levyable waste disposal site, means—

(a)for a section 325 small site, until 30 June 2021—either of the following periods—

(i)the period starting on 1 July 2019 and ending on 30 June 2020;

(ii)the period starting on 1 July 2020 and ending on 30 June 2021; or

(b)otherwise—a month.

monitoring system see section 62.

non-friable asbestos-containing material means any manufactured material or thing that—

(a)contains asbestos as part of its design; but

(b)does not contain friable asbestos-containing material.

non-levy zone means the part of the State outside the waste levy zone.

progressive capping means capping of active landfill cells at a waste disposal site on a cell-by-cell basis.

residue waste means the waste from a recycling activity that is commonly disposed of to landfill after the recoverable components have been removed from material.

Example of residue waste—

In metal recycling, the residue waste is the mainly non-metal component that results from recycling products such as motor vehicles, whitegoods, televisions and computers that have reached the end of their useful life.

residue waste discounting application see section 44(1).

resource recovery area see section 72R.

section 325 small site means a small site the operator of which, under section 325, is not required to comply with the requirements of section 61(2) to measure and record waste in compliance with the weight measurement criteria.

serious local event—

1

A serious local event is a serious disruption in a community, caused by the impact of an event, that requires a significant coordinated response by a local government and other entities to help the community recover from the disruption.

2For paragraph 1—

(a)a serious disruption is—

(i)loss of human life, or illness or injury to humans; or

(ii)widespread or severe property loss or damage; or

(iii)widespread or severe damage to the environment; and

(b)an event is an event under the Disaster Management Act 2003, section 16.

serious local event waste—

(a)means waste generated by activities in the immediate preparation for, or by or because of, a serious local event—

(i)but only within the limits, if any, declared by the chief executive under section 27B, for the serious local event; and

(ii)subject to the requirements of section 27A; but

(b)does not include waste generated by activities in general preparation for storms that are predicted or are likely to occur in a particular season each year or in anticipation of the next cyclone season.

small site means a levyable waste disposal site the operator of which is required to hold an environmental authority for the disposal of 2,000 tonnes or less of waste in a year at the site.

waste data return see section 72(1).

waste levy see section 36.

waste levy amount means an amount of waste levy.

waste levy instalment agreement see section 72B(1).

waste levy zone means the part of the State made up of the local government areas prescribed by regulation as provided for in this chapter.

weight measurement criteria means the weight measurement criteria prescribed by regulation.

s 26 prev s 26 om 2013 No. 6 s 22

pres s 26 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 2 hdg prev pt 2 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres pt 2 hdg ins 2013 No. 6 s 28

sub 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 2 div 1 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

27Chief executive may declare limits for disaster management waste

(1)The chief executive may, by publication on the department’s website, declare limits applying to the status of waste as disaster management waste in relation to a particular disaster.

Examples of declared limits—

•a declaration that waste is disaster management waste only for a stated period

•a declaration that waste is disaster management waste only if it is disposed of at a stated site

•a declaration that, after a stated day, waste is disaster management waste only if delivered by stated entities

(2)If the chief executive makes a declaration under subsection (1), the chief executive must take all reasonable steps to ensure that persons likely to be directly affected by the declaration are made aware of it, including, for example, by advertising in newspapers, on radio or on television.

(3)A declaration made under subsection (1) is not invalid because of a failure to comply with subsection (2).

s 27 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 2 div 1A hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

27A Notifying chief executive that waste is serious local event waste in particular circumstances

(1)This section applies if the chief executive officer of a local government reasonably believes—

(a)there is or will be a serious local event in the local government’s local government area; and

(b)an exemption from the levy on types of waste generated as a result of the serious local event and delivered to particular waste disposal sites should be allowed.

(2)The chief executive officer must notify the chief executive as soon as practicable of the following matters in relation to waste that has been or will be generated as a result of the serious local event—

(a)the type of waste that is to be serious local event waste;

(b)the waste disposal sites at which the waste will be disposed of;

(c)the period for which the waste is to be serious local event waste.

(3)The maximum period for subsection (2)(c) is the period starting 7 days immediately before the serious local event starts or is predicted to start and ending 28 days after the serious local event ends.

(4)If the chief executive officer acts under subsection (2), and subject to section 27B, the type of waste stated in the notice is serious local event waste if—

(a)waste of that type is delivered to a stated waste disposal site during the stated period; and

(b)the site operator of the waste disposal site does not charge for the delivery of the waste to the site.

s 27A ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

27B Chief executive may declare limits for serious local event waste

(1)The chief executive may, by publication on the department’s website, declare limits applying to the status of waste as serious local event waste in relation to a particular serious local event.

Examples of declared limits—

•a declaration that waste is serious local event waste only for a stated period

•a declaration that waste is serious local event waste only if it is disposed of at a stated site

•a declaration that, after a stated day, waste is serious local event waste only if delivered by stated entities

(2)If the chief executive makes a declaration under subsection (1), the chief executive must take all reasonable steps to ensure that persons likely to be directly affected by the declaration are made aware of it, including, for example, by advertising in newspapers, on radio or on television.

(3)A declaration made under subsection (1) is not invalid merely because of a failure to comply with subsection (2).

s 27B ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 2 div 2 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

28Application for approval of waste as exempt waste

(1)A person may apply to the chief executive for approval of waste, identified in the application (an exempt waste application), as exempt waste.

(2)However, the application may be about only 1 of the following types of waste—

(a)waste that has been donated to a charitable recycling entity but that can not practicably be re-used, recycled or sold;

(b)waste collected by members of the community during an organised event directed at remediating the results of a person having done something that may be an offence under section 103 or 104;

(c)earth contaminated with a hazardous contaminant from land recorded in the environmental management register or contaminated land register;

(d)waste to be used at a levyable waste disposal site for a purpose necessary for the operation of the site, including, for example, building infrastructure, temporary or daily covering, progressive capping, batter construction, final capping, profiling and site rehabilitation;

(e)biosecurity waste;

(f)serious local event waste.

(3)Also, if the application is about biosecurity waste, the application may be made only by the chief executive of the department in which the Biosecurity Act 2014 is administered.

(3A)In addition, if the application is about serious local event waste, the application may be made only by the chief executive officer of the local government in whose local government area the serious local event waste was generated.

(4)The application must—

(a)be in the approved form; and

(b)be supported by enough information to allow the chief executive to decide the application; and

(c)be accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation.

(5)In this section—

biosecurity waste means waste made up of matter that is subject to the operation of the Biosecurity Act 2014.

charitable recycling entity means an entity that—

(a)operates on a not-for-profit basis; and

(b)is registered as a charity under the Collections Act 1966; and

(c)is a Deductible Gift Recipient for the purposes of laws administered by the Australian Taxation Office of the Commonwealth; and

(d)actively and consistently operates a recycling or re-use program for—

(i)providing emergency assistance; or

(ii)otherwise supporting the charitable purposes of the entity.

s 28 prev s 28 om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres s 28 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

29Chief executive may require additional information or documents

(1)Within 28 days after receiving an exempt waste application, the chief executive may, by notice given to the applicant, require the applicant to give the chief executive further reasonable information or documents about the application by a reasonable day stated in the notice.

(2)The applicant may, before the stated day, agree with the chief executive about extending the time for providing the further information or documents.

(3)The application is taken to be withdrawn if the applicant does not give the chief executive the further information or documents by the stated day or the end of any extension agreed between the chief executive and the applicant.

s 29 prev s 29 om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres s 29 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

30Deciding application

(1)The chief executive must decide either to grant or to refuse an exempt waste application within 28 days after the later of the following days—

(a)the day the chief executive receives the application;

(b)if additional information or documents are requested under section 29—the day the chief executive receives the information or documents.

(2)In deciding the application, the chief executive must consider—

(a)the objects of this Act; and

(b)the information outlined in the application.

(3)However, the chief executive must refuse the application in the circumstances prescribed by regulation.

(4)A failure to make a decision within the period required is taken to be a decision by the chief executive to refuse the application.

s 30 prev s 30 om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres s 30 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

31Grant of application

(1)If the chief executive grants an exempt waste application, the chief executive must, within 5 business days after granting the application, give the applicant notice of the approval stating the following—

(a)the application has been granted;

(b)the waste that has been approved as exempt waste;

(c)the period of the approval;

(d)any conditions imposed on the approval.

(2)The period of the approval must not be more than 3 years.

(3)If the chief executive imposes a condition on the approval that is not the same, or substantially the same, as a condition agreed to or asked for by the applicant, the notice must also include or be accompanied by an information notice for the decision to impose the condition.

s 31 prev s 31 om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres s 31 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

32Refusal of application

If the chief executive refuses an exempt waste application, the chief executive must, within 5 business days after refusing the application, give the applicant an information notice for the decision.

s 32 prev s 32 om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres s 32 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

33Amendment of approval by agreement

(1)The chief executive may amend an approval of waste as exempt waste by agreement between the chief executive and the holder of the approval.

(2)If the holder of the approval asks for the amendment, the request must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation.

s 33 prev s 33 om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres s 33 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

34Cancellation or amendment of approval by chief executive

(1)The chief executive may cancel or amend an approval of waste as exempt waste if the chief executive considers there are reasonable grounds to cancel or amend it.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the grounds for cancelling or amending the approval may include—

(a)that the chief executive is satisfied there is a reasonable suspicion that the granting of the approval was based on incorrect information; and

(b)that the chief executive is satisfied there is a reasonable suspicion that the approval was granted because of a false or misleading representation or declaration; and

(c)that the circumstances relevant to the granting of the approval have changed; and

(d)that the approval has not been complied with; and

(e)that it is desirable to cancel or amend the approval having regard to the objects of this Act.

(3)Before cancelling or amending the approval (the proposed action), the chief executive must give the holder of the approval a notice stating the following—

(a)the proposed action;

(b)the grounds for taking the proposed action;

(c)the facts and circumstances that form the basis for the grounds;

(d)when the proposed action is intended to take effect;

(e)that the holder may make, within a stated period, written submissions to show why the proposed action should not be taken.

(4)The stated period for submissions must not end earlier than 21 days after the holder of the approval is given the notice.

(5)The chief executive must consider all submissions made under subsection (3)(e) within the stated period.

(6)If the chief executive decides to take the proposed action, the chief executive must, within 10 business days after making the decision, give the holder of the approval an information notice for the decision.

(7)The decision takes effect when the holder is given the information notice.

s 34 prev s 34 om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres s 34 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 2 div 3 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

35Chief executive may declare waste to be exempt waste in exceptional circumstances

(1)This section applies if the chief executive is satisfied that exceptional circumstances apply for—

(a)particular waste or a type of waste; or

(b)the disposal of particular waste or a type of waste.

(2)The chief executive may, by publication on the department’s website, declare the waste to be exempt waste.

(3)The chief executive may declare waste to be exempt waste subject to any limits or conditions included in the declaration of the waste as exempt waste.

(4)A declaration of waste as exempt waste has effect subject to any limits or conditions included in the declaration.

s 35 prev s 35 om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres s 35 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 3 hdg prev pt 3 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres pt 3 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

36Imposition of waste levy

The operator of a levyable waste disposal site is liable to pay the State a levy (the waste levy) on all levyable waste that is delivered to the site if—

(a)the levyable waste disposal site is in the waste levy zone; or

(b)the levyable waste disposal site is in the non-levy zone and the waste was generated outside the non-levy zone.

s 36 prev s 36 om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres s 36 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

37Calculating waste levy amount

(1)The rate of the waste levy for each type of waste is the rate prescribed by regulation for that type.

(2)The amount of waste levy imposed on waste is calculated in compliance with the requirements prescribed by regulation.

s 37 prev s 37 om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres s 37 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

38Offence to remove waste from levyable waste disposal site in particular circumstances

The operator of a levyable waste disposal site must not, for sale or other commercial gain, remove from the site waste for which the waste levy was, or is to be, paid to the State.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

s 38 prev s 38 om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres s 38 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

39When residue waste taken to be generated outside the non-levy zone

If waste, used as feedstock for a recycling activity, was generated outside the non-levy zone, all of the residue waste generated by the recycling activity is taken, for this chapter, to be generated outside the non-levy zone.

s 39 prev s 39 om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres s 39 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

40Mixing waste generated outside non-levy zone with waste generated in the non-levy zone

(1)This section applies if waste generated outside the non-levy zone is mixed with waste generated in the non-levy zone before being delivered to a levyable waste disposal site in the non-levy zone.

(2)The chief executive and the person who mixed the waste may agree in writing to a method of working out the waste that is taken to have been generated outside the non-levy zone and the total amount of that waste.

Example—

Fifty tonnes of waste generated outside the non-levy zone and 3,000 tonnes of waste generated in the non-levy zone are delivered to a resource recovery area in the non-levy zone in a month where they are mixed in a stockpile. Typically, 60% of waste delivered to the resource recovery area is delivered to the levyable waste disposal site. The chief executive and the operator of the relevant site agree that the first 30 tonnes of waste delivered from the resource recovery area to the levyable waste disposal site in the following month is taken to be waste generated outside the non-levy zone.

(3)For this chapter—

(a)if there is an agreement under subsection (2)—the mixed waste is taken to be generated as decided under the agreement; or

(b)otherwise—all the mixed waste is taken to have been generated outside the non-levy zone from the time the waste was mixed.

s 40 prev s 40 om 2013 No. 6 s 23

pres s 40 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

41Mixing types of waste that attract different rates of waste levy

(1)This section applies if—

(a)different types of waste are mixed before being delivered to a levyable waste disposal site; and

(b)the different types of waste attract different rates of waste levy.

(1A)For subsection (1)(b), the rate of the waste levy for exempt waste is taken to be zero.

(2)All of the waste delivered is taken to attract the highest rate of waste levy that applies to any of the types of waste.

s 41 prev s 41 om 2013 No. 6 s 24

pres s 41 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

42Mixing types of waste that attract same rate of waste levy

(1)This section applies if—

(a)different types of waste are mixed before being delivered to a levyable waste disposal site; and

(b)the different types of waste attract the same rate of waste levy.

(1A)For subsection (1)(b), the rate of the waste levy for exempt waste is taken to be zero.

(2)The operator of the site must, for sections 60 and 61, make a reasonable estimate of the amount of each type of waste included in the mixed waste using the information given to the operator under section 53.

s 42 prev s 42 om 2013 No. 6 s 25

pres s 42 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

43Regulation identifying waste levy zone

(1)A regulation may identify local government areas that make up the waste levy zone.

(2)To remove any doubt, it is declared that it is not necessary for the waste levy zone to be made up of only local government areas that are contiguous with other local government areas.

s 43 sub 2013 No. 6 s 25

amd 2012 No. 16 s 78 sch (amd 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch amdt 29)

sub 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 4 hdg prev pt 4 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch

pres pt 4 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 4 div 1 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 24

ch 3 pt 4 div 2 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch

ch 3 pt 4 div 3 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 31

44Application for discounted rate for waste levy for residue waste

(1)A person who conducts a recycling activity prescribed by regulation may apply to the chief executive for approval of a discounted rate for the waste levy for residue waste identified in the application (a residue waste discounting application).

(2)The application must—

(a)be in the approved form; and

(b)be supported by enough information to allow the chief executive to decide the application; and

(c)be accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation.

(3)The Minister may recommend to the Governor in Council the making of a regulation under subsection (1) about a particular recycling activity only if the Minister is satisfied that—

(a) giving a discount on the waste levy for residue waste from the activity will have a significant impact on the activity becoming established and sustained in Queensland; and

(b) the activity optimises the market and material value that can be derived from the waste used as feedstock for the activity.

(4)The discounted rate for the waste levy for residue waste is the rate prescribed by regulation.

s 44 amd 2013 No. 6 s 26

sub 2019 No. 2 s 6

45Chief executive may require additional information or documents

(1)Within 28 days after receiving a residue waste discounting application, the chief executive may, by notice given to the applicant, require the applicant to give the chief executive further reasonable information or documents about the application by a reasonable day stated in the notice.

(2)The applicant may, before the stated day, agree with the chief executive about extending the time for providing the further information or documents.

(3)The application is taken to be withdrawn if the applicant does not give the chief executive the further information or documents by the stated day or the end of any extension agreed between the chief executive and the applicant.

s 45 prev s 45 om 2013 No. 6 s 27

pres s 45 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

46Deciding application

(1)The chief executive must decide either to grant or to refuse a residue waste discounting application within 28 days after the later of the following days—

(a)the day the chief executive receives the application;

(b)if additional information or documents are requested under section 45—the day the chief executive receives the information or documents.

(2)In deciding the application, the chief executive must consider all of the following—

(a)the objects of this Act;

(b)the information included in the application;

(c)any criteria prescribed by regulation;

(d)the applicant’s history of compliance with this Act and the Environmental Protection Act, including whether the applicant holds any licences, environmental authorities or other approvals for conducting the recycling activity.

(3)However, the chief executive must refuse the application in the circumstances prescribed by regulation.

(4)A failure to make a decision within the period required is taken to be a decision by the chief executive to refuse the application.

s 46 prev s 46 om 2013 No. 6 s 27

pres s 46 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

47Grant of application

(1)If the chief executive grants a residue waste discounting application—

(a)in addition to any other conditions, the chief executive must impose a condition on the approval either—

(i) requiring the applicant to maintain as a minimum a stated recycling efficiency; or

(ii) limiting the amount of residue waste that will attract the discount rate in a period, including, for example, as a stated proportion of the amount of waste used as feedstock for the recycling activity in the period; and

(b)within 5 business days, the chief executive must give the applicant a notice stating the following—

(i)the application has been granted;

(ii)the discounted rate for the waste levy for the residue waste identified in the application;

(iii)the period of the approval;

(iv)any conditions imposed on the approval or prescribed by regulation.

(2)The period of the approval must not—

(a)be more than 3 years; or

(b)end after the residue waste discounting review date.

(3)The notice must also include or be accompanied by an information notice for the decision to impose a condition on the approval unless the condition is the same, or substantially the same, as a condition agreed to or asked for by the applicant.

(4)In addition to any conditions imposed by the chief executive, the approval is also subject to the conditions prescribed by regulation.

(5)In this section—

recycling efficiency means a percentage of the feedstock for a recycling activity that is not disposed of as landfill as a result of the activity.

residue waste discounting review date means the day, as prescribed by regulation, for the review by the chief executive of the following—

(a)the discounted rate for the waste levy for the residue waste;

(b)the recycling efficiency threshold for recycling activities;

(c)any other matters mentioned in this part as being prescribed by regulation.

s 47 prev s 47 om 2013 No. 6 s 27

pres s 47 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

48Refusal of application

If the chief executive refuses a residue waste discounting application, the chief executive must, within 5 business days after refusing the application, give the applicant an information notice for the decision.

s 48 prev s 48 om 2013 No. 6 s 27

pres s 48 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

49Amendment of approval by agreement

(1)The chief executive may amend an approval of a discounted rate for the waste levy for residue waste by agreement between the chief executive and the holder of the approval.

(2)If the holder of the approval asks for the amendment, the request must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation.

s 49 prev s 49 om 2013 No. 6 s 27

pres s 49 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

50Cancellation or amendment of approval by chief executive

(1)The chief executive may cancel or amend an approval of a discounted rate for the waste levy for residue waste if the chief executive considers there are reasonable grounds to cancel or amend it.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the grounds for cancelling or amending the approval may include—

(a)that the chief executive is satisfied there is a reasonable suspicion that the holder of the approval has not implemented strategies or practices to progressively improve the efficiency of the holder’s recycling activities during the period of the approval; and

(b)that the chief executive is satisfied there is a reasonable suspicion that the approval was granted because of a false or misleading representation or declaration; and

(c)that the circumstances relevant to the granting of the approval have changed; and

(d)that the conditions of the approval have not been complied with; and

(e)that it is desirable to cancel or amend the approval having regard to the objects of this Act.

(3)Before cancelling or amending the approval (the proposed action) the chief executive must give the holder of the approval a notice stating the following—

(a)the proposed action;

(b)the grounds for taking the proposed action;

(c)the facts and circumstances that form the basis for the grounds;

(d)when the proposed action is intended to take effect;

(e)that the holder of the approval may make, within a stated period, written submissions to show why the proposed action should not be taken.

(4)The stated period for submissions must not end earlier than 21 days after the holder of the approval is given the notice.

(5)The chief executive must consider all submissions made under subsection (3)(e) within the stated period.

(6)If the chief executive decides to take the proposed action, the chief executive must, within 10 business days after making the decision, give the holder of the approval an information notice for the decision.

(7)The decision takes effect when the holder is given the information notice.

s 50 prev s 50 om 2013 No. 6 s 27

pres s 50 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

51Automatic cancellation of approval

An approval of a discounted rate for the waste levy for residue waste is automatically cancelled if the business of conducting the recycling activity relevant to the approval ceases to be owned by the entity granted the approval, including, for example, because the ownership of the business is transferred to another entity.

s 51 prev s 51 om 2013 No. 6 s 27

pres s 51 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 hdg prev pt 5 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres pt 5 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 div 1 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

52Persons delivering waste

A person is taken to deliver waste for this division if—

(a)the person physically delivers the waste; or

(b)the person engages or directs another person to physically deliver the waste on behalf of the person.

Example—

If an employee delivers waste to a levyable waste disposal site on behalf of the employee’s employer, the obligations under this division apply to both the employee and the employer.

s 52 sub 2013 No. 6 s 28; 2019 No. 2 s 6

53Person delivering waste to waste disposal site to give information

(1)This section applies if a person delivers waste to a waste disposal site.

(2)The person must give the operator of the waste disposal site the information (the delivery information) that the operator reasonably requires to identify—

(a)how much of the waste is exempt waste and how much of it is levyable waste; and

(b)for each type of waste required to be measured by the operator under section 59—how much waste there is; and

(c)whether the waste was generated in the waste levy zone, the non-levy zone or outside Queensland.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(3)Also, the delivery information must be given to the operator at least 24 hours before the waste is delivered if—

(a)the waste disposal site is in the non-levy zone; and

(b)the waste was generated outside the non-levy zone; and

(c)the waste is delivered in a vehicle with a GCM or GVM of more than 4.5 tonnes.

(4)However, subsections (2) and (3) do not apply to the person if the person knows the operator already has the delivery information when the information would otherwise be required under subsection (2) or (3).

Example—

The person delivering the waste is acting on behalf of another person and knows that the other person has already given the delivery information.

(5)If the operator of the waste disposal site asks the person to give the operator the delivery information in the approved form, the person must comply with the request unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(6)If a person (the principal) engages or directs another person to deliver waste on behalf of the principal, it is a defence for subsection (2) or (5) for the principal to prove—

(a)the principal gave the other person appropriate instructions; and

(b)the principal used all reasonable precautions to ensure the other person complied with this section; and

(c)the principal could not by the exercise of reasonable diligence have stopped the commission of the offence.

(7)Nothing in this section prevents the person from giving delivery information for more than 1 consignment of waste to be delivered to the waste disposal site.

s 53 prev s 53 om 2013 No. 6 s 29

pres s 53 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

54Person delivering particular waste to give information

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a person delivers waste to—

(i)a resource recovery and transfer facility in the non-levy zone; or

(ii)an entity conducting a recycling activity in the non-levy zone; and

(b)the waste was generated outside the non-levy zone; and

(c)the person delivers the waste in a vehicle with a GCM or GVM of more than 4.5 tonnes.

(2)The person must, at least 24 hours before delivering the waste, give the operator of the resource recovery and transfer facility or entity the information (the delivery information) that the operator or entity reasonably requires to identify—

(a)how much of the waste is exempt waste and how much of it is levyable waste; and

(b)whether the waste was generated in the waste levy zone or outside Queensland.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(3)However, subsection (2) does not apply to the person if the person knows the operator or entity already has the delivery information when it is required under that subsection.

Example—

The person delivering the waste to a resource recovery and transfer facility is the operator of the facility.

(4)If the operator or entity asks the person to give the delivery information to the operator or entity in the approved form, the person must comply with the request unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(5)If a person (the principal) engages or directs another person to deliver waste on behalf of the principal, it is a defence for subsections (2) and (4) for the principal to prove—

(a)the principal gave the other person appropriate instructions; and

(b)the principal used all reasonable precautions to ensure the other person complied with this section; and

(c)the principal could not by the exercise of reasonable diligence have stopped the commission of the offence.

(6)Nothing in this section prevents the person from giving delivery information for more than 1 consignment of waste to be delivered to the resource recovery and transfer facility or to the entity.

(7)In this section—

resource recovery and transfer facility means a facility used for—

(a)receiving, sorting, dismantling or baling waste; or

(b)storing waste before moving it, from the site where the relevant activity is carried out, for recycling, processing, treatment or disposal.

s 54 prev s 54 om 2013 No. 6 s 30

pres s 54 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

55Giving false or misleading information when delivering waste

(1)This section applies to a person delivering waste to—

(a)a waste disposal site; or

(b)a resource recovery and transfer facility in the non-levy zone; or

(c)an entity conducting a recycling activity in the non-levy zone.

(2)The person must not give the operator or entity information about the waste that the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(3)However, subsection (2) does not apply to the person if the person, when giving information in a document—

(a)tells the operator or entity, to the best of the person’s ability, how the document is false or misleading; and

(b)if the person has, or can reasonably obtain, the correct information—gives the correct information.

(4)To remove any doubt, it is declared that subsection (2) applies to any information whether or not the person is required to give the information under section 53 or 54.

(5)In this section—

operator means the operator of the waste disposal site or resource recovery and transfer facility.

resource recovery and transfer facility see section 54(7).

s 55 prev s 55 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 55 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 div 2 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 div 2 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

56Remitting waste levy amount to the State

(1)After receiving a summary data return from the operator of a levyable waste disposal site under section 72, the chief executive must give the operator an invoice stating the total amount of all waste levy amounts payable to the State by the operator for the levy period to which the return relates.

(2)The operator must pay to the chief executive the total amount stated in the invoice by the due date for payment of the amount.

(3)If a waste levy amount owing by an operator remains unpaid after its due date for payment, interest is payable on the unpaid amount for each day starting on the day after the due date for payment and ending on the day the amount is actually paid.

(4)The interest payable for a day as mentioned in subsection (3) is payable at the same rate as that applying to unpaid tax under the Taxation Administration Act 2001, section 54 and the Taxation Administration Regulation 2012, section 8.

(5)Any waste levy amount payable by the operator of a levyable waste disposal site and remaining unpaid after its due date for payment, and any interest payable on the unpaid amount, may be recovered by the chief executive in a court with jurisdiction for the recovery of the amount as a debt payable by the operator to the State.

(6)In this section—

summary data return see section 72(5).

s 56 prev s 56 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 56 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 div 2 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

57Weighbridge required

(1)The operator of a waste disposal site in the waste levy zone must ensure a weighbridge is installed at the site from the beginning of the day on—

(a)if the operator is required to hold an environmental authority for the disposal of more than 10,000 tonnes of waste in a year at the site—1 July 2019; or

(b)if the operator is required to hold an environmental authority for the disposal of more than 5,000 tonnes, but not more than 10,000 tonnes, of waste in a year at the site—1 July 2021; or

(c)for any other operator—1 July 2024.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(2)If a waste disposal site is in the non-levy zone and receives during the period from 1 July 2019 to 31 December 2019 at least 300 tonnes of levyable waste generated outside the non-levy zone, the operator must ensure a weighbridge is installed at the site by 30 June 2020.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(3)From 1 January 2020, if a waste disposal site is in the non-levy zone and receives at least 600 tonnes of levyable waste generated outside the non-levy zone during a year, the operator must ensure a weighbridge is installed at the site by 30 June in the following year.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

s 57 prev s 57 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 57 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

58Weighbridge requirements

(1)This section applies to the operator of a waste disposal site at which a weighbridge is installed.

(2)The operator must ensure that—

(a)the installation and operation of the weighbridge complies with the requirements prescribed by regulation for the weighbridge; and

(b)the weighbridge is kept in proper working order; and

(c)a copy of any record of certification for the weighbridge obtained in complying with the National Measurement Act 1960 (Cwlth) is kept by the operator for 5 years after the certification.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(3)If the weighbridge is out of operation, the operator must—

(a)bring the weighbridge back into operation in the shortest practicable time; and

(b)keep a written record detailing the period for which the weighbridge was out of operation and the reason it was out of operation.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(4)Further, if the weighbridge is out of operation for a period of more than 24 hours, the operator must notify the chief executive of the following details within 3 days after the weighbridge first became out of operation, whether or not the weighbridge is still out of operation—

(a)the event that resulted in the weighbridge being out of operation;

(b)when the weighbridge first became out of operation;

(c)whether the weighbridge is still out of operation;

(d)if the weighbridge is still out of operation—what actions are being taken to bring the weighbridge back into operation.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(5)If the weighbridge is still out of operation when the chief executive is notified under subsection (4), the operator must notify the chief executive of its being brought back into operation within 3 days after it starts operating again.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

s 58 prev s 58 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 58 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 div 2 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

59When waste or other material must be measured

(1)Waste, or an amount of other material that is more than 1 tonne, is required to be measured if—

(a)it is delivered to a levyable waste disposal site; or

(b)after being delivered to a levyable waste disposal site, it is moved to a place outside the site; or

(c)it is delivered in a vehicle with a GCM or GVM of more than 4.5 tonnes to a resource recovery area for a waste disposal site; or

(d)after being delivered to a resource recovery area for a waste disposal site—

(i)it is moved from the area to any other part of the site; or

(ii)it is moved to a place outside the site in a vehicle with a GCM or GVM of more than 4.5 tonnes.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a levyable waste disposal site in the non-levy zone if the operator of the site—

(a)is required to hold an environmental authority for the disposal of not more than 5,000 tonnes of waste in a year at the site; and

(b)has taken all reasonable practical steps to ensure that levyable waste generated at a place outside the non-levy zone can not be lawfully delivered to the site.

s 59 prev s 59 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 59 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

60Measurement of waste by weighbridge

(1)This section applies if a weighbridge is installed at a waste disposal site, whether or not it is required under section 57.

(2)Each time waste or other material is required to be measured under section 59, the operator of the waste disposal site must ensure the weighbridge is used to measure and record the waste or other material.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

Note—

See also section 42.

(3)However, if it is not practicable to use the weighbridge to measure and record a particular amount of waste or other material, the operator may measure and record the waste in the way the operator and the chief executive agree to in writing.

Examples of something that is impracticable to weigh using a weighbridge—

•a large aircraft

•a large amount of waste that is taken to be delivered to the levyable part of a waste disposal site because of a cancellation or revocation of the declaration of the resource recovery area

(4)The operator of the waste disposal site must ensure a record made under subsection (2) includes the information required by the chief executive.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(5)The information required by the chief executive under subsection (4) must be published on the department’s website and may include only—

(a)the type of waste or other material; and

(b)whether the waste was generated in the waste levy zone, the non-levy zone or outside Queensland; and

(c)details of any exemption or discount applying to the waste; and

(d)the vehicle used to move the waste or other material.

(6)If the weighbridge is not in operation when an amount of waste or other material is required to be measured under section 59, the operator of the waste disposal site must ensure the waste or other material is measured and recorded in compliance with the weight measurement criteria.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

s 60 prev s 60 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 60 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

61Measurement of waste other than by weighbridge

(1)This section applies if a weighbridge is not installed at a waste disposal site.

(2)Each time waste or other material is required to be measured under section 59, the operator of the waste disposal site must ensure the waste or other material is measured and recorded in compliance with the weight measurement criteria.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

Note—

See also section 42.

(3)The operator of the waste disposal site must ensure a record made under subsection (2) includes the information required by the chief executive.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(4)The information required by the chief executive under subsection (3) must be published on the department’s website and may include only—

(a)the type of waste or material; and

(b)whether the waste was generated in the waste levy zone, the non-levy zone or outside Queensland; and

(c)details of any exemption or discount applying to the waste; and

(d)the vehicle used to move the waste or material.

s 61 prev s 61 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 61 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 div 2 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

62What is a monitoring system

A monitoring system is a closed-circuit television or another system the chief executive approves as a monitoring system by publishing details of the system on the department’s website.

s 62 prev s 62 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 62 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

63When monitoring system may be required by chief executive

(1)This section applies if the chief executive reasonably believes the operator of a waste disposal site has not complied with the operator’s obligation under this chapter to pay the waste levy or give the chief executive a waste data return for the site.

(2)The chief executive may, by notice given to the operator, require the operator to install, maintain and operate a monitoring system at the site to record vehicle movements at the locations (each a monitoring point) stated in the notice.

(3)The notice must also—

(a)state the day by which the monitoring system must be installed; and

(b)include or be accompanied by an information notice for the chief executive’s decision to give the notice.

(4)The operator must comply with the notice.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

s 63 prev s 63 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 63 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

64 Requirements for monitoring system

(1)This section applies to the operator of a waste disposal site given a notice under section 63 requiring the operator to install, maintain and operate a monitoring system.

(2)The operator must comply with the obligations stated in subsections (3) and (5).

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(3)The operator must—

(a)display signage at the waste disposal site in a way that is likely to make persons arriving at the site aware that a monitoring system is installed at the site; and

(b)ensure the monitoring system—

(i)meets the minimum requirements prescribed by regulation for the system; and

(ii)is kept in proper working order; and

(iii)records vehicles at each monitoring point in a way that identifies the vehicles; and

Example of a way that identifies a vehicle—

an image of the vehicle’s registration

(c)comply with any requirements prescribed by regulation about maintaining the monitoring system; and

(d)store each recording in a secure place at the premises in compliance with any requirements prescribed by regulation for the storage; and

(e)keep each recording available for inspection by an authorised person at the premises until the recording is erased or destroyed in compliance with paragraph (f); and

(f)ensure a recording—

(i)is only erased or destroyed by the operator or a person approved by the operator; and

(ii)is not erased or destroyed earlier than 60 days after it was made; and

(iii)is erased or destroyed no later than 90 days after it was made.

(4)However, if a copy of a recording is given to an authorised person, the recording—

(a)need only be kept available for inspection by an authorised person until the authorised person has confirmed by written notice that the recording is viewable; and

(b)may be destroyed once the authorised person has confirmed by written notice that the recording is viewable.

(5)The operator must not—

(a)allow the monitoring system to be operated by anyone other than—

(i)the operator of the site; or

(ii)a person approved by the operator; or

(b)allow a recording to be viewed by anyone other than an authorised person or a person mentioned in paragraph (a).

(6)In this section—

monitoring point means a monitoring point under section 63(2).

recording means a video recording made by the monitoring system.

s 64 prev s 64 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 64 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

65Requirements if monitoring system stops operating

(1)This section applies to the operator of a waste disposal site given a notice under section 63 requiring the operator to install, maintain and operate a monitoring system.

(2)If the monitoring system stops recording, the operator must—

(a)bring the system back into operation in the shortest practicable time; and

(b)keep a written record detailing the period within which the system was not recording and the reason it was not recording.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(3)Further, if any event results in the monitoring system not recording for any period of more than 24 hours, the operator must notify the chief executive of the following details within 3 days after the system stops recording, whether or not the system is still not recording—

(a)the event that resulted in the monitoring system not recording;

(b)when the monitoring system stopped recording;

(c)whether the monitoring system is still not recording;

(d)if the monitoring system is still not recording—what actions are being taken to bring the monitoring system back into operation.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(4)If the monitoring system is still not recording when the chief executive is notified under subsection (3) but later starts recording again, the operator must notify the chief executive that it is recording again within 3 days after it starts recording.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

s 65 prev s 65 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 65 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

66Operators required to give chief executive plan for monitoring system

(1)This section applies to the operator of a waste disposal site given a notice under section 63 requiring the operator to install, maintain and operate a monitoring system.

(2)The operator must give the chief executive a plan for the monitoring system complying with subsection (3) within 21 days after the day the operator is required under the notice to install the monitoring system.

Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.

(3)The plan for the monitoring system must contain a diagram of the system indicating the following in relation to the waste disposal site—

(a)how the components that comprise the system have been positioned;

(b)the scope of the coverage of recordings by the system.

s 66 prev s 66 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 66 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 div 2 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

67Volumetric survey for levyable waste disposal site in waste levy zone

(1)From 1 June 2020, the operator of a levyable waste disposal site in the waste levy zone must, in each year, in compliance with the requirements for volumetric surveys under section 70—

(a)ensure that a volumetric survey is carried out in June for—

(i)each landfill cell where waste has been disposed of since the last volumetric survey required under this subdivision was carried out; and

(ii)all stockpiled waste at the site; and

(b)give the chief executive a copy of the results of the volumetric surveys required under paragraph (a) before the end of July.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(2)This section continues to apply to the operator—

(a)regardless of whether waste may no longer be delivered to the site; and

(b)even if the site ceases to be a levyable waste disposal site.

(3)However, if a matter mentioned in subsection (2) happens, the carrying out of the survey and the giving of a copy of the results to the chief executive may happen earlier than when otherwise required under subsection (1).

(4)This section does not apply to a small site until 1 June 2022.

s 67 prev s 67 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 67 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

68Volumetric survey for levyable waste disposal site in non-levy zone in particular circumstances

(1)This section applies to the operator of a levyable waste disposal site if—

(a)the site is in the non-levy zone; and

(b)either—

(i)from 1 July 2019 to 31 December 2019—at least 300 tonnes of levyable waste, generated outside the non-levy zone, is received at the site; or

(ii)from 1 January 2020—at least 600 tonnes of levyable waste, generated outside the non-levy zone, is received at the site during a year.

(2)The operator of the levyable waste disposal site must—

(a)ensure that a volumetric survey is carried out between 1 January and 30 June of the following year for—

(i)each active landfill cell at the site; and

(ii)all stockpiled waste at the site; and

(b)give the chief executive a copy of the results of the survey before the end of July in the following year.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(3)The volumetric survey must be carried out in compliance with the requirements applying for volumetric surveys under section 70.

(4)This section continues to apply to the operator—

(a)regardless of whether waste may no longer be delivered to the site; and

(b)even if the site ceases to be a levyable waste disposal site.

(5)However, if a matter mentioned in subsection (4) happens, the carrying out of the survey and the giving of a copy of the results to the chief executive may happen earlier than when otherwise required under subsection (2).

(6)This section does not apply to a small site until 1 June 2022.

s 68 prev s 68 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 68 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

69Volumetric survey for new landfill cells

(1)This section applies to the operator of—

(a)a levyable waste disposal site in the waste levy zone; or

(b)a levyable waste disposal site in the non-levy zone if at least 600 tonnes of levyable waste generated outside the non-levy zone was received at the site during the preceding 12 months.

(2)Before a landfill cell is used for the first time for disposing of waste to landfill at the site, the operator of the site must, in compliance with the requirements applying for volumetric surveys under section 70—

(a)ensure that a volumetric survey is carried out for the landfill cell; and

(b)before the end of the month immediately following the month in which the volumetric survey is carried out, give the chief executive a copy of the results of the survey in the approved form.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(3)This section applies whether or not waste has previously been disposed of to landfill at the levyable waste disposal site.

s 69 prev s 69 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 69 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

70Requirements for volumetric surveys

(1)This section states the requirements for carrying out volumetric surveys under this subdivision.

(2)A volumetric survey must be carried out in compliance with the requirements prescribed by regulation.

(3)The results of the volumetric survey must—

(a)be in the approved form; and

(b)be accompanied by a topographical plan complying with specifications advised by the chief executive; and

(c)be certified as accurate by a surveyor under the Surveyors Act 2003.

s 70 prev s 70 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 70 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

71Failure to carry out volumetric survey or give chief executive the results

(1)This section applies if the operator of a levyable waste disposal site fails—

(a)to comply with a requirement under this subdivision to carry out a volumetric survey; or

(b)to give a copy of the results of a volumetric survey to the chief executive.

(2)The chief executive may arrange for the volumetric survey to be carried out at the site and for that purpose may direct an authorised person to enter the site to facilitate the carrying out of the survey.

(3)The chief executive may recover the reasonable cost of the survey from the operator as a debt payable by the operator to the State.

s 71 prev s 71 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 71 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 div 2 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72Submission of waste data returns

(1)The operator of a levyable waste disposal site must give the chief executive the returns (each a waste data return) required of the operator under subsections (2) and (3)—

(a)by the due date for the site; and

(b)in the way decided by the chief executive as published on the department’s website.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(2)Each of the following operators must give the chief executive a summary data return—

(a)the operator of a levyable waste disposal site in the waste levy zone;

(b)the operator of a levyable waste disposal site in the non-levy zone if any levyable waste, generated at a place outside the non-levy zone, is received at the site during the levy period to which the return relates.

(3)Each of the following operators must give the chief executive a detailed data return—

(a)the operator of a levyable waste disposal site in the waste levy zone if—

(i)the operator is required to hold an environmental authority for the disposal of more than 10,000 tonnes of waste in a year at the site; or

(ii)from 1 July 2021—the operator is required to hold an environmental authority for the disposal of more than 5,000 tonnes, but not more than 10,000 tonnes, of waste in a year at the site; or

(iii)from 1 July 2024—the operator is not mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (ii);

(b)the operator of a levyable waste disposal site in the non-levy zone if—

(i)the operator is required to hold an environmental authority for the disposal of more than 10,000 tonnes of waste in a year at the site; and

(ii)at least 50 tonnes of levyable waste, generated outside the non-levy zone, is received at the site during the levy period to which the return relates.

(5)In this section—

detailed data return means a return providing comprehensive information about all movements of waste and other material required to be measured under section 59.

due date, for a levyable waste disposal site, means—

(a)the end of the last business day of the month following the end of a levy period for the site; or

(b)if the chief executive grants an extension of time under section 72G, 72H or 72I for submitting the returns for the site—the end of the extension.

summary data return means a return providing a summary of information, required to be measured under section 59, that the chief executive may use to calculate amounts payable for a particular levy period for a levyable waste disposal site.

s 72 prev s 72 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 72 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 div 2 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72AOperator of levyable waste disposal site to keep particular documents

The operator of a levyable waste disposal site must keep at the site, or at another place agreed to by the chief executive and the operator, each of the following documents for the period stated for the document—

(a)a copy of a waste data return for 5 years after the return is given to the chief executive;

(b)records containing any information that was used to support the preparation of a waste data return, including each of the following records, for 5 years after the return is given to the chief executive—

(i)weighbridge records;

(ii)if weight measurement criteria were used—records of vehicles delivering waste to the site;

(iii)for small sites that have used an alternative methodology under section 325, records that enable the chief executive to fairly work out the total waste levy amount owing for the site in a levy period;

(c)a record required to be kept under section 58(3)(b) and section 65(2)(b) for 5 years after the record is made;

(d)a copy of the results of a volumetric survey of a landfill cell at the site for 5 years after the survey is carried out;

(e)a copy of the results of a volumetric survey of stockpiled waste at the site for 5 years after the survey is carried out;

(f)a copy of a notice the operator is required to give the chief executive under this chapter for 5 years after giving the notice;

(g)any other record prescribed by regulation for the period prescribed by regulation.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

s 72A ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 div 3 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 div 3 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72BWaste levy instalment agreement

(1)A waste levy instalment agreement is an agreement between the operator of a levyable waste disposal site and the chief executive providing for the payment by instalments of a waste levy amount owed by the operator instead of in compliance with the requirements that would otherwise apply under this chapter for the payment of the amount.

(2)A waste levy instalment agreement may relate to 2 or more levyable waste disposal sites for which the same person is the operator.

s 72B ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72CApplication for waste levy instalment agreement

(1)The operator of a levyable waste disposal site may apply to the chief executive to enter into a waste levy instalment agreement for a waste levy amount the operator must pay the State.

(2)The application must be in the approved form and be accompanied by—

(a)a description of the operator’s financial situation that caused the operator’s inability to pay the waste levy amount by the due date for payment and how the financial situation came about; and

(b)up-to-date management and financial records to verify the information given under paragraph (a).

(3)The chief executive must, within 20 days after receiving the application, decide either to grant or to refuse the application and—

(a)if the decision is to grant the application—give the operator a notice stating—

(i)the terms of the waste levy instalment agreement; and

(ii)the period within which all waste levy amounts must be paid under the waste levy instalment agreement; or

(b)if the decision is to refuse the application—give the operator an information notice for the decision.

(4)The chief executive may grant the application only if satisfied the applicant has demonstrated—

(a)an inability to pay the waste levy amount within the time required under this chapter; and

(b)how entering into the waste levy instalment agreement will allow the applicant to pay the waste levy amount while at the same time allowing the applicant to pay future waste levy amounts.

(5)However—

(a)there may be only 1 waste levy instalment agreement in force between the operator of a levyable waste disposal site and the chief executive at any time; and

(b)only 1 waste levy instalment agreement may be entered into between the operator of a levyable waste disposal site and the chief executive in a financial year; and

(c)the period within which all waste levy amounts must be paid under the waste levy instalment agreement must not be longer than 6 months after the agreement is entered into.

(6)A failure to make a decision within the period required is taken to be a decision by the chief executive to refuse the application.

s 72C ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72DAmendment of waste levy instalment agreement

(1)The operator of a levyable waste disposal site may apply to the chief executive for an amendment of a waste levy instalment agreement to—

(a)include an additional waste levy amount; or

(b)extend the period for the repayment of the total waste levy amount the subject of the agreement.

(2)However—

(a)any additional waste levy amount must not be greater than 10% of the total waste levy amount owing by the operator when the application is made, other than an amount already the subject of the agreement; and

(b)the period of any extension must not be more than 3 months; and

(c)the operator must not have previously made an application for the amendment of the waste levy instalment agreement.

(3)The application must be in the approved form and state—

(a)any additional waste levy amount sought to be included in the agreement; and

(b)the length of any extension sought; and

(c)the changes in the applicant’s circumstances that have caused the applicant to seek the amendment.

(4)The chief executive must, within 20 days after receiving the application, decide either to grant or to refuse the application and—

(a)if the decision is to grant the application—give the operator a notice stating—

(i)the terms of the amended waste levy instalment agreement; and

(ii)the period within which all waste levy amounts must be paid under the amended waste levy instalment agreement; or

(b)if the decision is to refuse the application—give the operator an information notice for the decision.

(5)The chief executive may grant the application only if satisfied the applicant has demonstrated—

(a)an inability to pay waste levy amounts owing within the time provided for in the agreement; and

(b)how amendment of the agreement will allow the applicant to pay all waste levy amounts owing and future waste levy amounts.

(6)The making of an application under this section does not of itself affect the applicant’s obligations under the waste levy instalment agreement sought to be amended.

s 72D ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72EInterest affected by waste levy instalment agreement

(1)Subsection (2) applies for a waste levy instalment agreement if—

(a)the application for the agreement was made after the due date for payment of a waste levy amount the subject of the application; and

(b)the agreement is entered into.

(2)Interest is payable under this chapter up to the day the application was made and must be paid on or before the due date for payment of the next waste levy amount.

(3)If an application for a waste levy instalment agreement is refused, the requirements under this chapter for the payment of interest continue to apply unaffected by the making or refusal of the application.

s 72E ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72FFailure to pay an instalment under waste levy instalment agreement

(1)If an instalment of a waste levy amount is not paid on or before an instalment day under a waste levy instalment agreement—

(a)the waste levy instalment agreement is taken to be no longer in force; and

(b)the due date for payment of any waste levy amount provided for in the agreement becomes—

(i)if the amount, apart from the agreement, would have been required to be paid on a day later than the instalment day—the later day; or

(ii)if the amount, apart from the agreement, would have been required to be paid on a day earlier than the instalment day—the day after the instalment day, or if that day is not a business day, the next business day; and

(c)for an amount mentioned in paragraph (b)(ii), interest becomes payable on the amount as if the waste levy instalment agreement had not been entered into, but only on and from the day after the instalment day, whether or not the day after the instalment day is a business day.

(2)In this section—

instalment day, under a waste levy instalment agreement, means a day when a payment is due under the agreement.

s 72F ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 div 3 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72GApplication for extension of time to pay waste levy amount

(1)The operator of a levyable waste disposal site may apply to the chief executive for an extension of time to pay a waste levy amount if the operator believes the operator can not pay the amount by the due date for payment of the amount.

(2)However—

(a)the extension of time can not be for more than 1 month; and

(b)the operator can not apply for the extension of time if the operator is conducting operations at the site for which the operator does not hold an environmental authority; and

(c)the operator can not make more than—

(i)1 application for an extension of time under this section or section 72H for the payment of the same waste levy amount; or

(ii)2 applications under this section or section 72H in a financial year.

(3)The application must—

(a)be made before the due date for payment of the waste levy amount; and

(b)state the reasons why the extension is being applied for.

(4)The chief executive must, within 5 business days after the due date for payment of the waste levy amount, decide either to grant or to refuse the application and—

(a)if the decision is to grant the application—give the applicant a notice stating a new due date for payment of the waste levy amount; or

(b)if the decision is to refuse the application—give the applicant an information notice for the decision.

(5)The chief executive may grant the application only if satisfied that it is not reasonable to expect the applicant to pay the waste levy amount by the due date for payment.

Example of when the chief executive may grant an application—

The operator has suffered a significant disruption to electricity supply or an extensive computer malfunction.

(6)A failure to make a decision within the period required is taken to be a decision by the chief executive to refuse the application.

s 72G ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72HApplication for extension of time to submit waste data return and pay waste levy amount

(1)The operator of a levyable waste disposal site may apply to the chief executive for an extension of time to submit a waste data return and pay a waste levy amount if the operator considers the operator can not pay the amount by the due date for payment of the amount.

(2)However—

(a)the extension of time can not be for more than 1 month after—

(i)for submission of the waste data return—the due date for submission of the return; or

(ii)for payment of the waste levy amount—the due date for payment of the amount; and

(b)the operator can not apply for the extension of time if the operator is conducting operations at the site for which the operator does not hold an environmental authority; and

(c)the operator can not make more than—

(i)1 application for an extension of time under this section or section 72G for the payment of the same waste levy amount; or

(ii)2 applications under this section or section 72G in a financial year.

(3)The application must—

(a)be made by the due date for the submission of the waste data return for the site; and

(b)state the reasons why the extension is being applied for.

(4)The chief executive must, within 5 business days after the due date for the submission of the waste data return for the site, decide either to grant or to refuse the application and—

(a)if the decision is to grant the application—give the applicant a notice stating a new day by which the waste data return must be submitted and the new date by which the waste levy amount must be paid; or

(b)if the decision is to refuse the application—give the applicant an information notice for the decision.

(5)The chief executive may grant the application only if satisfied that it is not reasonable to expect the applicant to pay the waste levy amount by the due date for payment.

Example of when the chief executive may grant an application—

The operator has suffered a significant disruption to electricity supply or an extensive computer malfunction.

(6)A failure to make a decision within the period required is taken to be a decision by the chief executive to refuse the application.

s 72H ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72IPublic notice granting extension of time to submit waste data return and pay waste levy amount

(1)The chief executive may by publication on the department’s website grant an extension of time to the operators of stated levyable waste disposal sites to do either of the following—

(a)pay a waste levy amount;

(b)submit a waste data return and pay a waste levy amount.

(2)The chief executive may grant an extension under this section only if satisfied that the extension is justified because of a significant emergency.

s 72I ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 div 3 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72JEstimation of waste levy amount payable by operator of levyable waste disposal site

(1)The chief executive may decide an estimate of the waste levy amount payable by the operator of a levyable waste disposal site for a particular period (the estimated waste levy amount) if—

(a)the operator did not give the chief executive a waste data return by the due date for the site under section 72; or

(b)the operator gave the chief executive information, whether or not in the form of a waste data return, that the chief executive considers on reasonable grounds to be incomplete or inaccurate; or

(c)the chief executive is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the waste levy amount payable by the operator for the period is incorrect.

(2)If the chief executive decides an estimated waste levy amount for the operator—

(a)that amount becomes the waste levy amount payable by the operator for the period; and

(b)the chief executive must give the operator an information notice for the decision.

(3)To remove any doubt, it is declared that—

(a)the chief executive may act under this section even if the due date for payment of the waste levy amount payable has passed; and

(b)the chief executive deciding an estimate of the waste levy amount payable by the operator for a period under this section does not change the due date for payment of the amount; and

(c)nothing in this section stops a subsequent adjustment being made to the waste levy amount payable by the operator for the period if a different amount is decided under a review of the chief executive’s decision on the estimated waste levy amount.

s 72J ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 5 div 3 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72KEligibility for bad debt credit after insolvency or bankruptcy of customer

(1)The operator of a waste disposal site is eligible for a credit (a bad debt credit) for the waste levy amount payable by the operator on an amount of waste delivered to the site if—

(a)the operator was the operator of the site when the waste was delivered; and

(b)the waste was delivered to the site by another person (the customer) for consideration in money; and

(c)the operator included the waste in a summary data return for the site for the levy period in which the waste was delivered; and

(d)the operator paid the waste levy amount; and

(e)the operator issued an invoice to the customer for the delivery within 30 days after the waste was delivered to the site and—

(i)the invoice expressly included a service delivery charge for the operator’s obligation to pay waste levy on the waste when delivered to the site; and

(ii)the service delivery charge, excluding any component for GST, was not more than the waste levy amount; and

(f)the customer failed to pay the operator all or part of the amount due for delivery of the waste within 30 days after being given an invoice for the amount; and

(g)the customer became insolvent within 12 months after the delivery of the waste to the site; and

(h)the operator has been unable to recover the amount owing from the customer despite having taken reasonable steps to do so; and

(i)the operator has offset against the amount owing by the customer any amount owed by the operator to the customer that may be set off against that amount; and

(j)the operator has reduced the amount owing by the value of any enforceable security the operator holds in relation to the customer but an amount remains outstanding in relation to the delivery; and

(k)the operator has submitted all the waste data returns and paid all waste levy owing by the operator when applying for the bad debt credit.

(2)However, the operator is not eligible for the bad debt credit if—

(a)the operator and the customer are, or were when the waste was delivered, related entities; or

(b)it is for an amount of waste delivered to the site while the customer continued to owe the operator an amount, for a previous delivery of waste, more than 30 days after being given an invoice for the previous delivery; or

(c)the operator has previously received a bad debt credit for the relevant delivery of the waste.

(3)A person is a related entity for another person if—

(a)for individuals—they are members of the same family; or

(b)for an individual and a corporation—the individual or a member of the individual’s family—

(i)is a majority shareholder, director or secretary of the corporation or a related body corporate of the corporation; or

(ii)has an interest of 50% or more in the corporation; or

(c)for an individual and a trustee of a trust—the individual or a related entity under another provision of this section is a beneficiary of the trust; or

(d)for corporations—they are related bodies corporate; or

(e)for a corporation and a trustee of a trust—the corporation or a related entity under another provision of this section is a beneficiary of the trust; or

(f)for trustees of 2 or more trusts—

(i)a person is a beneficiary of both trusts; or

(ii)a person is a beneficiary of 1 trust and a related entity under another provision of this section is a beneficiary of the other trust.

(4)In this section—

family, for a person, means—

(a)the person’s spouse; or

(b)a parent of the person or the person’s spouse; or

(c)a grandparent of the person or the person’s spouse; or

(d)a brother, sister, nephew or niece of the person or the person’s spouse; or

(e)a child of the person or the person’s spouse; or

(f)a grandchild of the person; or

(g)the spouse of any person mentioned in paragraphs (b) to (f).

insolvent means insolvent under the Corporations Act, section 95A(2).

operator, of a waste disposal site, includes a former operator of the site.

related body corporate see the Corporations Act, section 50.

summary data return see section 72(5).

s 72K ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72LApplication for bad debt credit

(1)The operator or former operator of a waste disposal site who is eligible for a bad debt credit may apply to the chief executive for relief.

(2)The application must—

(a)be in the approved form; and

(b)be supported by enough information to allow the chief executive to decide the application.

s 72L ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72MChief executive may require additional information or documents

(1)Within 28 days after receiving a bad debt credit application, the chief executive may, by notice given to the applicant, require the applicant to give the chief executive further reasonable information or documents about the application by a reasonable day stated in the notice.

(2)The applicant may, before the stated day, agree with the chief executive about extending the time for providing the further information or documents.

(3)The application is taken to be withdrawn if the applicant does not give the chief executive the further information or documents by the stated day or the end of any extension agreed between the chief executive and the applicant.

s 72M ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72NDeciding application

(1)The chief executive must decide either to grant or refuse a bad debt credit application within 30 days after the later of the following days—

(a)the day the chief executive receives the application;

(b)if additional information or documents are requested under section 72M—the day the chief executive receives the information or documents.

(2)In deciding whether to grant or refuse the application, the chief executive must consider the information included in the application.

(3)The chief executive must—

(a)grant a bad debt credit application if the applicant is eligible for the credit; or

(b)refuse a bad debt credit application if the applicant is not eligible for the credit.

(4)A failure to make a decision within the period required is taken to be a decision by the chief executive to refuse the application.

s 72N ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72OGrant of application

(1)If the chief executive decides to grant a bad debt credit application, the chief executive must, within 5 business days after granting the application, give the applicant a notice stating—

(a)the application has been granted; and

(b)the amount of the bad debt credit.

(2)The notice must also include or be accompanied by an information notice for the decision in relation to the amount of the bad debt credit.

s 72O ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72PRefusal of application

If the chief executive decides to refuse a bad debt credit application, the chief executive must, within 5 business days after refusing the application, give the applicant an information notice for the decision.

s 72P ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72QPayment of bad debt credit

(1)This section applies if the chief executive decides to grant a bad debt credit application.

(2)The chief executive must deduct the amount of the bad debt credit from the waste levy amount the applicant is required to remit to the State under section 56 for the relevant levy period.

(3)Also, if the total amount of the bad debt credit is more than the amount the applicant is required to remit to the State, the chief executive must pay the applicant an amount equal to the excess.

(4)If the applicant is no longer the operator of a waste disposal site, the chief executive must pay the applicant an amount equal to the bad debt credit.

(5)In this section—

relevant levy period, for an application, means the levy period at the time the application is decided.

s 72Q ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 6 hdg prev pt 6 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres pt 6 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 6 div 1 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72RResource recovery area

The operator of a waste disposal site may declare an area within the site as a resource recovery area if—

(a)a recycling activity is conducted in the area; and

(b)the operator, or another entity that is responsible for the operation of the area, holds all licences, environmental authorities or other approvals required for conducting the recycling activity in the area; and

(c)a physical barrier—

(i)separates the area from the rest of the site; and

(ii)prevents vehicles from moving between the area and the rest of the site other than through points of access shown on the plan of the site accompanying a notice under section 72S or 72U; and

(d)the area and the physical barrier comply with the requirements prescribed by regulation for the area and barrier; and

(e)there has not, within the last year, been a revocation of a declaration of a resource recovery area at the site.

s 72R ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72SDeclaration of resource recovery area

(1)The operator of a waste disposal site declares a resource recovery area by giving the chief executive notice of a proposed resource recovery area at least 20 days before using the area as a resource recovery area.

(2)The notice must—

(a)be in the approved form; and

(b)state the day the declaration takes effect; and

(c)include a description of the activities to be carried out in the resource recovery area; and

(d)be accompanied by a plan of the waste disposal site indicating the resource recovery area and clearly showing—

(i)the physical barrier between the area and the rest of the site; and

(ii)the points of access allowing vehicles to move between the area and the rest of the site; and

(e)be signed by the operator and any other entity that will be responsible for the area.

s 72S ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72TEffect of declaration of resource recovery area

If the requirements under this division for the declaration or amendment of a resource recovery area have been complied with, and the declaration has not been cancelled or revoked—

(a)the resource recovery area is not part of the levyable waste disposal site whose operator made the declaration; and

(b)all waste that is moved from the resource recovery area to the levyable waste disposal site is, for the purposes of the waste levy, taken to be waste delivered to the levyable waste disposal site.

Note—

If levyable waste is delivered to a levyable waste disposal site, the waste levy on the waste may be payable under section 36.

s 72T ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72UAmendment of resource recovery area by operator

(1)The operator of a waste disposal site for which a resource recovery area has been declared may amend the area’s declaration as a resource recovery area by giving the chief executive notice of the proposed amendment at least 20 days before the amendment is to take effect.

(2)The notice must—

(a)be in the approved form; and

(b)state the day the amendment takes effect; and

(c)if the recycling activities to be conducted in the amended resource recovery area differ from the activities currently carried out in the area—include a description of the recycling activities to be conducted in the amended resource recovery area; and

(d)be accompanied by a plan of the waste disposal site indicating the amended resource recovery area and clearly showing—

(i)the physical barrier between the area and the rest of the site; and

(ii)the points of access allowing vehicles to move between the area and the rest of the site; and

(e)be signed by the operator and any other entity that will be responsible for the area.

(3)The operator need not act under subsection (1) if the only change to the resource recovery area is a change to—

(a)the recycling activities conducted in the area; or

(b)the physical barrier or points of access for the area that do not change the boundaries of the area; or

(c)the entity having responsibility for the operation of the area.

(4)If an amendment of a resource recovery area under this section results in a part of the area being within the levyable waste disposal site—

(a)that part of the area becomes part of the site; and

(b)all waste within that part of the area is, for the purposes of the waste levy, taken to be waste delivered to the site.

Note—

If levyable waste is delivered to a levyable waste disposal site, the waste levy on the waste may be payable under section 36.

s 72U ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

amd 2023 No. 15 s 13

72VCancellation of resource recovery area by operator

(1)The operator of a waste disposal site for which a resource recovery area has been declared may cancel the area’s declaration as a resource recovery area by giving the chief executive notice of the proposed cancellation at least 30 days before the cancellation is to take effect.

(2)The notice must state the day the cancellation takes effect.

(3)If a resource recovery area is cancelled under this section—

(a)the cancelled area becomes part of the levyable waste disposal site; and

(b)all waste within the cancelled area is, for the purposes of the waste levy, taken to be waste delivered to the levyable waste disposal site.

Note—

If levyable waste is delivered to a levyable waste disposal site, the waste levy on the waste may be payable under section 36.

s 72V ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

amd 2023 No. 15 s 14

72VA Amendment or suspension of resource recovery area by chief executive

(1)The chief executive may amend or suspend the declaration of a resource recovery area by the operator of a waste disposal site if the chief executive is satisfied that—

(a)1 or more of the matters mentioned in section 72R(a) to (e) do not, or no longer, apply in relation to the resource recovery area; or

(b)conducting a recycling activity in the resource recovery area would prejudice the investigation of the commission, or possible commission, of an offence against a provision of division 2.

(2)If the chief executive proposes to amend or suspend the declaration of the resource recovery area (the proposed action), the chief executive must first give the operator a notice (a show cause notice) about the proposed action.

(3)The show cause notice must state each of the following matters—

(a)the proposed action;

(b)if the proposed action is an amendment—the proposed amendment;

(c)if the proposed action is suspension—the period of the proposed suspension;

(d)the reasons for the proposed action;

(e)that the operator may, within a stated period (the show cause period)—

(i)make a written submission to the chief executive about why the proposed action should not be taken; or

(ii)take stated actions, if any, to avoid the taking of the proposed action.

(4)The show cause period must not end earlier than 21 days after the operator is given the show cause notice.

(5)Within 20 business days after the end of the show cause period, the chief executive must decide whether or not to take the proposed action having regard to—

(a)any written submissions made by the operator during the show cause period; and

(b)the extent to which the operator has taken any actions mentioned in subsection (3)(e)(ii).

(6)The chief executive may decide to—

(a)if the proposed action was to make a stated amendment—make the stated amendment; or

(b)if the proposed action was to suspend the declaration for a stated period—suspend the declaration for no longer than the stated period.

(7)The chief executive must, within 10 business days after making the decision, give the operator—

(a)if the chief executive decides to take the proposed action—an information notice for the decision; or

(b)if the chief executive decides not to take the proposed action—a notice about the decision.

(8)A decision to take the proposed action takes effect on the later of the following days—

(a)the day the information notice is given to the operator;

(b)if the information notice states a day on which the proposed action takes effect—the stated day.

(9)If the declaration of the resource recovery area is suspended under this section, then, for the period of the suspension—

(a)the area is taken to be part of the levyable waste disposal site; and

(b)all waste, other than exempt waste, delivered to the area during the period is, for the purposes of the waste levy, taken to be waste delivered to the levyable waste disposal site.

Note—

If levyable waste is delivered to a levyable waste disposal site, the waste levy on the waste may be payable under section 36.

s 72VA ins 2023 No. 15 s 15

72W Revocation of resource recovery area by chief executive

(1)The chief executive may revoke a declaration by the operator of a waste disposal site of an area as a resource recovery area if—

(a)there is an active landfill cell within the area; or

(b)the amount of waste, including recyclable waste, stockpiled in the area is greater than the total amount of waste delivered to the area in the previous 12 months; or

(c)the operator or another entity having responsibility for the operation of the resource recovery area is convicted of an offence under this part; or

(d)the chief executive is satisfied the area does not fulfil, or no longer fulfils, the requirements under section 72R for an area to be declared as a resource recovery area.

(2)Before revoking the declaration (the proposed action), the chief executive must give notice to the operator of the waste disposal site stating all of the following—

(a)the proposed action;

(b)the grounds for taking the proposed action;

(c)the facts and circumstances that form the basis for the grounds;

(d)when the proposed action is intended to take effect;

(e)that the operator may make, within a stated period, written submissions to show why the proposed action should not be taken.

(3)The stated period for submissions must not end earlier than 21 days after the operator of the waste disposal site is given the notice.

(4)The chief executive must consider all submissions made under subsection (2)(e).

(5)If the chief executive decides to take the proposed action, the chief executive must, within 10 business days after making the decision, give the operator of the waste disposal site an information notice for the decision.

(6)The decision takes effect when the information notice is given.

(7)If a resource recovery area is revoked under this section—

(a)the area becomes part of the levyable waste disposal site; and

(b)all waste within the area is, for the purposes of the waste levy, taken to be waste delivered to the levyable waste disposal site.

Note—

If levyable waste is delivered to a levyable waste disposal site, the waste levy on the waste may be payable under section 36.

s 72W ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 6 div 2 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72XRequirement to keep documents

An entity having responsibility for the operation of a resource recovery area must keep the following documents for at least 5 years after the event that is the subject of the document happens—

(a)any document that records waste delivered to the area, including its measurements;

(b)any document that records waste or other material removed from the area as mentioned in section 59(d), including its measurements;

(c)a copy of the results of a volumetric survey of the area carried out under section 72Y or 72Z;

(d)any document that records any other event for the area as prescribed by regulation.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

s 72X ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72YVolumetric survey for resource recovery area in waste levy zone

(1)From 1 June 2020, this section applies for a resource recovery area for a waste disposal site in the waste levy zone.

(2)The entity having responsibility for the operation of the resource recovery area must, in each year—

(a)ensure that a volumetric survey is carried out in June for all stockpiled waste at the resource recovery area; and

(b)give the chief executive a copy of the results of the volumetric survey in the approved form before the end of July.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(3)The volumetric survey must be carried out in compliance with the requirements prescribed by regulation.

(4)The results of the volumetric survey must—

(a)be in electronic form; and

(b)include a topographical plan complying with the specifications advised by the chief executive; and

(c)include details of the following—

(i)the area of the resource recovery area;

(ii)the stockpiles of waste, including recyclable waste, at the area; and

(d)be certified as accurate by a surveyor under the Surveyors Act 2003.

(5)This section continues to apply to the entity having responsibility for the operation of the resource recovery area even if the declaration of the area as a resource recovery area is cancelled or revoked.

(6)However, if a matter mentioned in subsection (5) happens, the carrying out of the survey and the giving of a copy of the results to the chief executive may happen earlier than when otherwise required under subsection (2).

(7)This section does not apply to a resource recovery area for a small site until 1 June 2022.

s 72Y ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

72ZVolumetric survey for resource recovery area in non-levy zone

(1)This section applies for a resource recovery area declared for a waste disposal site if—

(a)the site is in the non-levy zone; and

(b)either—

(i)from 1 July 2019 to 31 December 2019—at least 300 tonnes of levyable waste, generated outside the non-levy zone, is received at the resource recovery area; or

(ii)from 1 January 2020—at least 600 tonnes of levyable waste, generated outside the non-levy zone, is received at the resource recovery area during a year.

(2)The entity having responsibility for the operation of the resource recovery area must—

(a)before the end of June of the following year, ensure a volumetric survey is carried out for all stockpiled waste at the resource recovery area; and

(b)before the end of July in the following year, give the chief executive a copy of the results of the survey in the approved form.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(3)The volumetric survey must be carried out in compliance with the requirements prescribed by regulation.

(4)The results of the volumetric survey must—

(a)be in electronic form; and

(b)include a topographical plan complying with specifications advised by the chief executive; and

(c)include details of the following—

(i)the area of the resource recovery area;

(ii)the stockpiles of waste, including recyclable waste, at the area; and

(d)be certified as accurate by a surveyor under the Surveyors Act 2003.

(5)This section continues to apply to the entity having responsibility for the operation of the resource recovery area even if the declaration of the area as a resource recovery area is cancelled or revoked.

(6)However, if a matter mentioned in subsection (5) happens, the carrying out of the survey and the giving of a copy of the results to the chief executive may happen earlier than when otherwise required under subsection (2).

(7)This section does not apply to a resource recovery area declared for a small site until 1 June 2022.

s 72Z ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

73Volumetric survey carried out by chief executive

(1)This section applies if the entity having responsibility for the operation of a resource recovery area—

(a)is required to carry out a volumetric survey under section 72Y(2)(a) or 72Z(2)(a); but

(b)fails to carry out the volumetric survey in compliance with the requirements prescribed by regulation.

(2)The chief executive may arrange for the volumetric survey to be carried out at the resource recovery area and for that purpose may direct an authorised person to enter the area to facilitate the carrying out of the survey.

(3)The chief executive may recover the cost of carrying out the volumetric survey from the entity as a debt payable by the entity to the State.

s 73 prev s 73 om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres s 73 ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

73AObligations of entity responsible for operation of resource recovery area

(1)This section applies if the operator of a waste disposal site has declared, or claims to have declared, an area as a resource recovery area under section 72S.

(2)The entity having responsibility for the operation of the resource recovery area must ensure—

(a)there is not an active landfill cell within the area; and

(b)the area complies with the requirements for the area prescribed by regulation; and

(c)the physical barrier between the resource recovery area and the rest of the waste disposal site complies with the requirements prescribed by regulation; and

(d)the points of access allowing vehicles to move between the area and the rest of the waste disposal site comply with the requirements prescribed by regulation.

Maximum penalty—1,665 penalty units.

s 73A ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

73BFalse claims about resource recovery area

(1)The operator of a waste disposal site must not claim to have a resource recovery area for the site if—

(a)the operator has not declared the area under section 72S; or

(b)the declaration of the area has been cancelled or revoked under section 72V or 72W.

Maximum penalty—1,665 penalty units.

(2)The operator of a waste disposal site must not falsely claim a part of the site is within the resource recovery area for the site.

Maximum penalty—1,665 penalty units.

s 73B ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

73CChanges affecting resource recovery area requiring notification

(1)This section applies for a waste disposal site if a declaration of a resource recovery area is in effect for the site.

(2)If there is a change to the physical barrier or points of access for the resource recovery area that does not change the boundaries of the area, the operator of the waste disposal site must do all of the following within 7 days after the change happens—

(a)amend the plan of the waste disposal site;

(b)give the chief executive notice of the change in the approved form;

(c)give the chief executive a copy of the amended plan of the waste disposal site indicating the resource recovery area and clearly showing the physical barrier and points of access for the area.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(3)If the recycling activities declared to be conducted in the resource recovery area change, the operator of the waste disposal site must advise the chief executive of the change within 7 days after the change happens.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(4)If there is a change of the entity having responsibility for the operation of the resource recovery area, the entity having responsibility for the operation of the area immediately before the change must notify the chief executive of the change within 7 days after the change happens.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

s 73C ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 3 pt 7 hdg prev pt 7 hdg om 2013 No. 6 s 31

pres pt 7 hdg ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

sub 2023 No. 15 s 16

73DDefinitions for part

In this part—

rate notice means a notice issued under the City of Brisbane Act 2010, or the Local Government Act 2009, to levy rates and charges.

relevant payment means an amount paid to a local government under—

(a)section 73DA(2); or

(b)section 73DB(3)(a).

s 73D ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

sub 2023 No. 15 s 17

73DA Annual payments to local governments

(1)A regulation may prescribe an amount, for a financial year, that is to be paid under this section to a local government affected by the waste levy.

(2)The chief executive must pay the amount to the local government.

s 73DA ins 2023 No. 15 s 17

73DB Additional payments to local governments

(1)The local government may request payment of an additional amount for the financial year to further mitigate the direct effects of the waste levy on households in the local government’s local government area.

(2)The request must—

(a)be made in writing to the chief executive; and

(b)include the information prescribed by regulation.

(3)The chief executive must consider the request and must decide to—

(a)pay to the local government an additional amount the chief executive considers appropriate; or

(b)refuse the request.

s 73DB ins 2023 No. 15 s 17

73DC Use of relevant payments

(1)The local government must use a relevant payment to mitigate the direct effects of the waste levy on households in the local government’s local government area.

(2)Subsection (3) applies if the chief executive believes the local government has not used a relevant payment as required under subsection (1).

(3)Until the chief executive is satisfied the local government has used the relevant payment as required under subsection (1), the chief executive must not make any further relevant payments to the local government.

s 73DC ins 2023 No. 15 s 17

73DD Rate notice to include statement about relevant payments

(1)The first rate notice issued to an entity by the local government after receiving a relevant payment must state—

(a)the amount of the payment; and

(b)the purpose for which the payment has been, or will be, used.

(2)Subsection (3) applies if the chief executive believes the local government has not complied with subsection (1) in relation to an entity.

(3)Until the chief executive is satisfied the local government has informed the entity of the matters mentioned in subsection (1), the chief executive may refuse to make any further relevant payments to the local government.

s 73DD ins 2023 No. 15 s 17

73DE Local government must not distribute misinformation

(1)This section applies if the chief executive believes the local government has, after receiving a relevant payment, distributed misinformation in relation to the payment.

(2)Until the chief executive is satisfied the local government has informed the intended recipients of the misinformation of how the misinformation is false or misleading, the chief executive may refuse to make any further relevant payments to the local government.

(3)A local government is taken to distribute misinformation if the local government—

(a)includes the misinformation in a rate notice, or other document, issued by the local government; or

(b)publishes the misinformation on the local government’s website; or

(c)includes the misinformation in an advertisement made by, or on behalf of, the local government.

(4)In this section—

misinformation, in relation to a relevant payment received by a local government, means a false or misleading statement about—

(a)the effect of the waste levy on the local government or households in the local government’s local government area; or

(b)the amount of the payment; or

(c)the purpose of the payment.

s 73DE ins 2023 No. 15 s 17

ch 4 pt 8 hdg ins 2023 No. 15 s 18

73EReview of efficacy of waste levy

The chief executive must review the efficacy of the waste levy—

(a)within 3 years after the commencement; and

(b)at intervals of not more than 10 years from 1 review to the next.

s 73E ins 2019 No. 2 s 6

ch 4 hdg amd 2014 No. 59 s 148

74Purpose of chapter

The purpose of this chapter is—

(a)to encourage, and in particular circumstances to require, persons who are involved in the life cycle of a product to share responsibility for—

(i)ensuring that, for the product, there is effective waste avoidance, reduction, re-use, recycling, recovery or treatment; and

(ii)managing the impacts of the product throughout its life cycle, including end-of-use management; and

(b)otherwise—to improve the management of waste that is not a product.

s 74 sub 2014 No. 59 s 149

74ADefinitions for ch 4

In this chapter—

producer, of a product, includes any of the following—

(a)the manufacturer of the product;

(b)a person who imports the product into Queensland;

(c)a person who supplies the product in Queensland;

(d)a person who has a legal or equitable interest in the name under which the product is supplied in Queensland.

s 74A ins 2014 No. 59 s 150

ch 4 pt 2 hdg amd 2014 No. 59 s 151

75Preparation and notification of draft priority statement

(1)The chief executive may—

(a)prepare a draft priority statement for—

(i)1 or more products; or

(ii)1 or more categories of waste; and

(b)advertise the existence and availability of the statement by notice published on the department’s website and in any other way the chief executive considers appropriate.

(2)The notice must state—

(a)how copies of the draft priority statement may be obtained or accessed; and

(b)the period, of at least 28 days after publication of the notice, within which a person may make a written submission to the chief executive about any matter relevant to the statement.

s 75 amd 2014 No. 59 s 152

76Requirements for draft priority statement

(1)The draft priority statement must state—

(a)the products or category of waste intended to be included in the final statement as priority products or priority waste; and

(b)how each proposed product or the proposed category of waste satisfies the criteria under section 77; and

(c)the management options under consideration for each proposed product, a strategic waste planning option, an end of waste code or an end of waste approval.

(2)In deciding whether to include a product or category of waste in the draft priority statement, the chief executive must consider—

(a)whether the product or category of waste satisfies the criteria under section 77; and

(b)whether action is proposed or is currently in progress for the product or category of waste through a national approach; and

(c)whether there are significant benefits from taking action to reduce impacts from disposal of the product or category of waste.

(3)In deciding the management options to be stated under subsection (1)(c), the chief executive must have regard to the waste and resource management hierarchy and the waste and resource management principles.

(4)In preparing a draft priority statement, the chief executive may consult with any expert reference group or other entity the chief executive considers appropriate.

s 76 amd 2014 No. 59 ss 153, 166

77Criteria for a priority product or priority waste

A product or category of waste satisfies the criteria for a priority product or priority waste if at least 2 of the following apply to the product or category of waste—

(a)the product or category of waste contains hazardous or toxic substances;

(b)there is potential to reduce the consumption of resources through improved management of the product or category of waste;

(c)there is potential to reduce the environmental impacts of the disposal of the product or category of waste through improved management of the product or category of waste;

Examples of environmental impacts—

greenhouse gas emissions from landfill, occurrence of leachates

(d)there is potential to reduce the social impacts of the disposal of the product or category of waste through improved management of the product or waste;

Examples of social impacts—

danger to waste management workers, community concern, amenity

(e)treating or disposing of the product or category of waste involves a significant cost to the community;

(f)improved management of the product or category of waste is likely to create business opportunities that would contribute to the economy.

s 77 sub 2014 No. 59 s 154

78Inclusion of invitation for voluntary product stewardship scheme

(1)The chief executive may include in the final priority statement, for a particular product included in the final statement, an invitation (a scheme invitation) for persons to submit a proposed voluntary product stewardship scheme for accreditation.

(2)However, in including a scheme invitation, the chief executive must have regard to the following—

(a)whether the product can be effectively managed under a voluntary product stewardship scheme;

(b)whether an approved program is in existence for the product and whether the program is being appropriately implemented.

(3)A scheme invitation must state—

(a)the period, of at least 18 months, within which any proposed voluntary product stewardship scheme would have to be submitted for accreditation; and

(b)the expected outcomes from any proposed voluntary product stewardship scheme; and

(c)that if no voluntary product stewardship scheme is accredited for the product, a regulation may be made to establish a regulated product stewardship scheme for the product.

(4)A scheme invitation may state—

(a)any limitations to the scope of a proposed voluntary product stewardship scheme, including for example geographic or business type or size limitations; and

(b)other matters relevant to a voluntary product stewardship scheme for the particular product.

(5)The chief executive is not stopped from subsequently granting a single extension of the period mentioned in subsection (3)(a) for not more than 1 year at the request of the proposed scheme manager for a proposed voluntary product stewardship scheme.

s 78 amd 2014 No. 59 s 155

79Finalisation of priority statement

(1)The chief executive must prepare, and give to the Minister, a final version of the priority statement.

(2)When preparing the final priority statement, the chief executive must consider all submissions made to the chief executive on the draft priority statement under section 75.

s 79 amd 2014 No. 59 s 156

80Approval of final priority statement

(1)The final priority statement does not have effect as a priority statement under this Act until it has been approved by the Minister by gazette notice.

(2)The priority statement comes into effect on the day the Minister’s approval is gazetted or on a later day stated in the gazette notice or in the priority statement for that purpose.

(3)The gazette notice in which the Minister approves the priority statement must include details about where a copy of the priority statement may be inspected and obtained.

(4)The chief executive must publish the priority statement on the department’s website as soon as practicable after its approval.

s 80 amd 2014 No. 59 s 157

81Minor amendment of priority statement

(1)A minor amendment of the priority statement may be made without the requirements of this part having been complied with, other than the requirement for approval by the Minister by gazette notice.

(2)In this section—

minor amendment, of the priority statement, means an amendment or replacement of the statement—

(a)to correct a minor error in the statement; or

(b)to make another change that is not a change of substance.

s 81 amd 2014 No. 59 s 158

82Review of priority statement

(1)At least once every 3 years, the chief executive must review the priority statement and amend or replace the statement having regard to the outcome of the review.

(2)If the process of review includes public consultation that in substance is equivalent to that required for the first draft priority statement under this chapter, the chief executive may prepare and give to the Minister, for approval by gazette notice, a final amending or replacement priority statement without having first prepared and consulted on a draft amending or replacement statement.

s 82 amd 2014 No. 59 s 159

83What is a product stewardship scheme

A product stewardship scheme is a scheme—

(a)in which persons who are involved in the life cycle of a product share responsibility for the management and impact of the product throughout its life cycle, including end-of-use management; and

(b)that seeks to redress the adverse impacts of a product.

84What is a voluntary product stewardship scheme

A voluntary product stewardship scheme is a product stewardship scheme under which the participants in the scheme, as identified in the scheme, voluntarily share responsibility for the management and impact of the product.

85What is a regulated product stewardship scheme

A regulated product stewardship scheme is a product stewardship scheme that is prescribed under a regulation under this part for a priority product.

86What is an approved program

An approved program, for a product, is a program, scheme or agreement applying to the product in a way that is substantially similar to the way a product stewardship scheme would apply to the product, but only if—

(a)the State is a signatory to the program, scheme or agreement; or

(b)the State has entered into a memorandum of understanding or similar arrangement supporting the application of the program, scheme or agreement; or

(c)the State has been a party to the development and finalisation of the program, scheme or agreement; or

(d)the program, scheme or agreement has been accredited or approved as part of a national product stewardship framework to which the State is a party.

87When is a product stewardship scheme in force for a product

(1)A product stewardship scheme is in force for a product if—

(a)it is a voluntary product stewardship scheme applying to the product, and the scheme has been accredited by the chief executive under this part; or

(b)it is a regulated product stewardship scheme applying to the product.

(2)A product stewardship scheme mentioned in subsection (1)(a) is an accredited product stewardship scheme.

88Accredited product stewardship scheme does not override laws

An accredited product stewardship scheme has no effect to the extent it is inconsistent with any law of the State or the Commonwealth.

Example—

A provision of a voluntary product stewardship scheme for a product would have no effect to the extent it purported to require a participant in the scheme to deal with the product in a way prohibited under the Environmental Protection Act.

89Application for accreditation

(1)The person who is identified in a proposed voluntary product stewardship scheme as the scheme manager for the scheme may apply to the chief executive for accreditation of the scheme.

(2)An application under subsection (1) must—

(a)be in the approved form; and

(b)include the information prescribed under a regulation; and

(c)be accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation; and

(d)if it is a proposed voluntary product stewardship scheme for a priority product—explain how the proposed scheme meets the requirements of this chapter for a product stewardship scheme for a priority product; and

(e)state whether a regulation is required to facilitate the implementation or operation of the scheme; and

(f)include evidence of the agreement of persons identified as participants in the scheme.

90Requirements for accreditation

(1)To qualify for accreditation under this part, the proposed voluntary product stewardship scheme must—

(a)identify the scheme manager for the scheme; and

(b)describe the scope of the scheme and identify, whether or not by reference to brand, the product to which the scheme applies; and

(c)include the following information—

(i)how long the scheme is to be in force;

(ii)targets for avoiding, re-using or recycling of waste for the product;

(iii)time frames for achieving each target;

(iv)the information that is to be collected, assessed and audited to gauge performance of the scheme;

(v)how the public is to be advised of information about the scheme; and

(d)list the classes of persons involved in the design, manufacture, sale, use, servicing, collection, recovery, recycling, treatment or disposal of the product; and

(e)list the participants in the scheme and assign to them their respective responsibilities for meeting the scheme’s objectives; and

(f)state the arrangements for—

(i)making decisions under the scheme; and

(ii)the control and overall operation of the scheme; and

(iii)keeping records and making reports under the scheme; and

(g)state the date the scheme ends; and

(h)identify the processes for compliance with, and enforcement of, any agreements between the participants in the scheme; and

(i)provide for assessing the scheme’s performance and for reporting on its performance to the Minister; and

(j)state a strategy for publication of the scheme; and

(k)state how information will be provided to purchasers, users and handlers of the product; and

(l)clearly outline how the scheme will be funded; and

(m)if the product under the proposed scheme is a priority product and the priority statement includes recommendations for improving management of the product—show how those recommendations are taken account of.

(2)The proposed scheme may include any other matter a producer of the product considers relevant.

s 90 amd 2014 No. 59 s 160

91Accreditation

In deciding whether to accredit a proposed voluntary product stewardship scheme for a product the chief executive must have regard to—

(a)whether the application for accreditation meets the requirements of this part for an application; and

(b)whether the proposed scheme meets the requirements of this part for accreditation; and

(c)whether the proposed scheme’s targets are likely to be met within the time frames stated in the scheme; and

(d)whether the proposed scheme is likely to promote waste reduction or reduce environmental impact from disposing of the product without, in either case, causing greater impact over the life cycle of the product; and

(e)whether the proposed scheme is consistent with the State’s obligations under national arrangements; and

(f)if the product is a priority product that was the subject of a scheme invitation—whether the proposed scheme is likely to achieve the expected outcomes of any proposed voluntary product stewardship scheme stated in the invitation; and

(g)if the product is a priority product, whether or not it was the subject of a scheme invitation—whether the proposed scheme takes account of recommendations included in the priority statement for the priority product.

s 91 amd 2014 No. 59 s 161

92Inquiry about application

Before deciding the application, the chief executive may by notice ask for further information from—

(a)the scheme manager; or

(b)through the scheme manager—any person who, in the opinion of the chief executive, is likely to be significantly affected by the scheme.

93Deciding application

(1)As soon as practicable after deciding to accredit a proposed voluntary product stewardship scheme, the chief executive must give the scheme manager for the scheme notice of the decision to accredit.

(2)If the chief executive refuses to grant the application, the chief executive must as soon as practicable give the applicant an information notice for the decision to refuse.

94Register of accredited schemes

(1)When the chief executive accredits a voluntary product stewardship scheme, the chief executive must register the scheme on a register of accredited product stewardship schemes kept in the department.

(2)The chief executive must ensure the register mentioned in subsection (1) is kept as an accurate record of information about the accreditation and history of currently and previously accredited product stewardship schemes.

(3)The register must be kept by the chief executive as a searchable, public register.

95Amendment of accredited product stewardship scheme

(1)The participants in an accredited product stewardship scheme may amend the scheme by agreement of all the participants.

(2)The scheme manager for the scheme must advise the chief executive of the amendment within 10 business days after the amendment is made if the amendment is one of the following—

(a)adding to the participants in the scheme or removing any of the participants;

(b)changing the scheme manager for the scheme;

(c)adding to the brands of the product that are the subject of the scheme.

(3)The chief executive must record, on the register of accredited product stewardship schemes, details of the amendment the chief executive considers appropriate.

(4)An amendment under subsection (1) must not include an amendment that will have an adverse effect on achieving the scheme’s objectives, including, for example, by affecting the ability of the scheme to meet its objectives within the time frames included in the scheme.

(5)Subsection (4) does not stop the accreditation of a new voluntary product stewardship scheme to replace an existing accredited scheme.

96Expiry of accredited product stewardship scheme

(1)The accreditation of an accredited product stewardship scheme expires on the earlier of the following—

(a)the date stated in the scheme as the date the scheme ends;

(b)5 years after the accreditation of the scheme.

(2)However, the accreditation of an accredited product stewardship scheme (scheme A) continues in force, as provided for in subsection (3), after the date (the expiry date) it would otherwise end if—

(a)the scheme manager for scheme A has, not later than 6 months before scheme A’s accreditation was due to end, applied to the chief executive for the accreditation of a new voluntary product stewardship scheme (scheme B) to replace scheme A; and

(b)the chief executive has not decided, on or before the expiry date, whether scheme B should be accredited.

(3)Scheme A’s accreditation continues in force until—

(a)the accreditation of scheme B takes effect, either in its form as first proposed or as subsequently changed in the application process; or

(b)the application process for scheme B’s accreditation has been completed, including, for example, the completion of any review about the chief executive’s decision on the proposed accreditation, and scheme B is not accredited.

97Revocation of accreditation

(1)The Minister may revoke the accreditation of an accredited product stewardship scheme if the Minister is satisfied that—

(a)any of the following apply—

(i)reasonable steps are not being taken to implement the scheme;

(ii)the scheme’s objectives are not being met, or are unlikely to be met, within the time frames stated in the scheme;

(iii)the reporting requirements included in the scheme are not being complied with; or

(b)the product the subject of the scheme was not a priority product when the scheme was accredited, but it has subsequently become a priority product and the objectives of the scheme are no longer adequate for the product.

(2)Before revoking the accreditation of the product stewardship scheme, the Minister must—

(a)give notice to the scheme manager for the scheme advising of the proposed action; and

(b)give the scheme manager a reasonable opportunity to make a submission to the Minister about the proposed revocation.

(3)If the Minister decides to revoke the accreditation, and the revocation is under subsection (1)(a), the Minister must give the scheme manager for the scheme an information notice for the decision to revoke the accreditation.

98Regulation about product stewardship

(1)A regulation—

(a)may provide for the implementation and operation of a regulated product stewardship scheme for a priority product; or

(b)may include provisions to facilitate the accreditation of a proposed voluntary product stewardship scheme, or the implementation and operation of an accredited product stewardship scheme or an approved program.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the regulation may include any of the following—

(a)the expected waste minimisation, treatment or disposal targets for the product the subject of the scheme or program and the required times for meeting the targets;

(b)reporting and information requirements, including information to be provided to purchasers, users and handlers of the product the subject of the scheme or program;

(c)if the regulation provides for the implementation and operation of a regulated product stewardship scheme—

(i)the scheme manager for the scheme and the obligations of the scheme manager; and

(ii)the duration of the scheme;

(d)if the regulation applies to a voluntary product stewardship scheme intended to be, but not yet, accredited—the period within which the application for accreditation is required to be made;

(e)the period within which any person is required to commence complying with any of the requirements or duties imposed on the person under the regulation.

(3)The Minister must not recommend to the Governor in Council the making of a regulation under subsection (1)(a) for a priority product if—

(a)there is currently an accredited product stewardship scheme for the product and it is expected that the scheme will still be in force after the regulation commences; or

(b)the time limit, as stated in a scheme invitation in the priority statement as currently in force, for the submission for accreditation of a voluntary product stewardship scheme for the product has not yet elapsed.

(4)The Minister may recommend to the Governor in Council the making of a regulation under subsection (1)(a) for a priority product only after considering the following—

(a)whether an approved program is in existence for the product and whether the program is being appropriately implemented;

(b)whether economic analysis supports the implementation of the proposed regulated product stewardship scheme;

(c)whether there are any constitutional or other impediments to the State’s acting unilaterally in implementing a product stewardship scheme for the product.

s 98 amd 2014 No. 59 s 162

99Monitoring of particular product stewardship scheme

(1)The chief executive may at any time conduct monitoring of the performance of an accredited or regulated product stewardship scheme.

(2)The monitoring may have regard especially to the stated targets and objectives of the scheme.

(3)If asked to do so by the chief executive, the scheme manager under a regulated product stewardship scheme must reimburse the chief executive for some or all of the expenses reasonably incurred by the department in the conduct of the monitoring.

(4)An amount payable under subsection (3) may be recovered as a debt payable by the scheme manager to the chief executive.

ch 4 pt 3A hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99A Objects of part

The objects of this part are to—

(a)reduce plastic pollution by reducing the number of plastic bags that become waste and enter the environment as litter; and

(b)encourage retailers and consumers to—

(i)reduce the overall use of carry bags by considering whether it is necessary on every occasion to use a bag to carry goods; and

(ii)use alternative shopping bags.

s 99A ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99B Meaning of banned plastic shopping bag and alternative shopping bag

(1)A banned plastic shopping bag is a carry bag with handles—

(a)made, in whole or part, of plastic (whether or not the plastic is degradable) that has a thickness of less than—

(i)the thickness prescribed by regulation; or

(ii)if a thickness has not been prescribed by regulation—35 microns; or

(b)prescribed by regulation to be a banned plastic shopping bag.

(2)However, each of the following is not a banned plastic shopping bag—

(a)a barrier bag;

(b)a plastic bag that is, or is an integral part of, the packaging in which goods are sealed for sale;

(c)a bag that is prescribed by regulation to not be a banned plastic shopping bag.

(3)An alternative shopping bag is a bag, other than a banned plastic shopping bag, that is suitable to be used to carry goods from a retailer’s premises.

(4)In this section—

AS 4736 means the Australian Standard for biodegradable plastics suitable for composting and other microbial treatment, as in force from time to time under that designation (regardless of the edition or year of publication of the standard).

barrier bag means a plastic bag used to carry unpackaged perishable food.

Examples of unpackaged perishable foods—

fruit, vegetables, meat, fish

degradable, for plastic, means plastic that is—

(a)biodegradable, including material that is compostable under AS 4736; or

(b)designed to degrade and break into fragments over time.

s 99B ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

amd 2021 No. 5 s 4

99C Meaning of retailer

A retailer is a person who sells goods in trade or commerce.

s 99C ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99D Retailer not to give banned plastic shopping bag

(1)A retailer must not give a banned plastic shopping bag to a person to use to carry goods the retailer sells from the retailer’s premises.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(2)This section applies whether or not a price is charged for the banned plastic shopping bag.

s 99D ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99E Giving false or misleading information about banned plastic shopping bag

A person must not give information that the person knows is false or misleading to another person about—

(a)the composition of a banned plastic shopping bag; or

(b)whether or not a plastic bag is a banned plastic shopping bag.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

s 99E ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99F Retailer may charge for alternative shopping bag

Nothing in this part prevents a retailer from charging for an alternative shopping bag.

s 99F ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99G Review of part

(1)The Minister must ensure a review of the operation of this part starts as soon as practicable, but no more than 3 months, after 1 July 2020.

(2)The review must include a review of—

(a)the effect of this part on the community and retailers; and

(b)the level of retailers’ knowledge and understanding about the prohibition on giving banned plastic shopping bags to persons; and

(c)the effectiveness of this part in reducing the quantity of banned plastic shopping bags—

(i)used; and

(ii)that becomes waste and is littered or disposed of to landfill.

(3)The chief executive must give a report on the outcome of the review to the Minister within 6 months after the day the review starts.

(4)The Minister must table the report in the Legislative Assembly within 12 sitting days after receiving the report.

s 99G ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

ch 4 pt 3AA hdg ins 2021 No. 5 s 5

ch 4 pt 3AA div 1 hdg ins 2021 No. 5 s 5

99GA Objects of part

The objects of this part are to—

(a)promote and support the waste and resource management hierarchy; and

(b)reduce plastic pollution by reducing the number of single-use plastic items—

(i)used or sold; and

(ii)that become waste and are littered or disposed of to landfill; and

(c)encourage retailers and consumers to—

(i)reduce the overall use and sale of single-use plastic items; and

(ii)use or sell sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic items; and

(d)encourage manufacturers to identify innovative product designs for sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic items; and

(e)recognise the needs of persons with a disability and the healthcare needs of persons in relation to the use of banned single-use plastic items; and

(f)ensure manufacturers and consumers are aware of, and understand, information about plastic items that are compostable.

s 99GA ins 2021 No. 5 s 5

99GB Definitions for part

In this part—

AS 4736 means the Australian Standard for biodegradable plastics suitable for composting and other microbial treatment, as in force from time to time under that designation (regardless of the edition or year of publication of the standard).

AS 5810 means the Australian Standard for biodegradable plastics suitable for home composting, as in force from time to time under that designation (regardless of the edition or year of publication of the standard).

banned single-use plastic item see section 99GC.

compostable, for a plastic item, means the plastic item is compostable under AS 4736 or AS 5810.

plastic item means an item made, in whole or part, of plastic (whether or not the plastic is compostable).

single-use plastic item means a plastic item, other than a plastic item that is compostable, designed to be used only once.

s 99GB ins 2021 No. 5 s 5

99GC Meaning of banned single-use plastic item

(1)A banned single-use plastic item is a single-use plastic item that—

(a)is—

(i)a plate; or

(ii)a bowl; or

(iii)an item of cutlery; or

(iv)a straw; or

(v)a stirrer; or

(vi)a takeaway food container made, in whole or part, of expanded polystyrene (EPS); or

(vii)a cup made, in whole or part, of expanded polystyrene (EPS); or

(b)is prescribed by regulation to be a banned single-use plastic item.

(2)However, a single-use plastic item that is prescribed by regulation not to be a banned single-use plastic item is not a banned single-use plastic item.

(2A)Also, a single-use plastic item that is an integral part of a shelf-ready product is not a banned single-use plastic item.

Examples—

•a straw attached to a juice box

•a fork included in a pre-packed salad

•a spoon attached to a yoghurt container

•a plate forming part of a frozen meal

(3)The Minister may recommend to the Governor in Council the making of a regulation under subsection (1)(b) or (2) about whether or not a single-use plastic item is a banned single-use plastic item (a proposed change) only after—

(a)carrying out consultation with the public about the proposed change; and

(b)considering all of the following—

(i)the results of the public consultation about the proposed change;

(ii)whether making the proposed change is likely to achieve the objects of this part;

(iii)whether voluntary or other measures to achieve the objects of this part have been shown not to be effective;

(iv)if the proposed change is to prescribe a single-use plastic item to be a banned single-use plastic item—

(A)the availability of alternative products to the single-use plastic item; and

(B)whether the costs of monitoring, enforcement and market development are proportional to the benefits of the proposed change.

(3A)The following provisions expire on 31 December 2025—

(a)this subsection;

(b)subsection (2A);

(c)subsection (4), definition shelf-ready product.

(4)In this section—

cutlery—

(a)means utensils for eating food; and

(b)includes chopsticks, splayds and sporks.

shelf-ready product means food or a beverage that is pre-packed as a single serve and ready for—

(a)immediate consumption; or

(b)consumption after cooling or heating the food or beverage.

s 99GC ins 2021 No. 5 s 5

amd 2023 No. 15 s 19

(2A), (3A), (4), definition shelf-ready product exp 31 December 2025 (see s 99GC(3A))

ch 4 pt 3AA div 2 hdg ins 2021 No. 5 s 5

99GD Restriction on sale of banned single-use plastic items

(1)A person who conducts a business or undertaking must not, in the course of conducting the business or undertaking, sell a banned single-use plastic item to another person.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(2)However, subsection (1) does not apply to the sale of a banned single-use plastic item—

(a)by or to a person who conducts an exempt business or undertaking; or

(b)if the person selling the item reasonably believes the sale is a step in a supply chain for the supply of the item to a person who conducts an exempt business or undertaking.

Example for paragraph (b)—

A manufacturer may sell plastic straws to a distributor if the manufacturer reasonably believes the sale of the straws is a step in a supply chain for the supply of the straws to a pharmacy.

(3)In this section—

exempt business or undertaking means—

(a)a community corrections office under the Corrective Services Act 2006; or

(b)a corrective services facility under the Corrective Services Act 2006; or

(c)a healthcare business or undertaking; or

(d)a school; or

(e)a business or undertaking, prescribed by regulation for this definition, that involves the sale or supply of banned single-use plastic items for use by persons with a disability or healthcare needs.

healthcare business or undertaking means any of the following businesses or undertakings (however called)—

(a)a clinic or facility that provides care to persons with a disability or healthcare needs;

(b)a dental clinic;

(c)a hospital;

(d)a medical clinic;

(e)a medical supply business or undertaking;

(f)a pharmacy;

(g)a business or undertaking that is substantially similar to a business or undertaking mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (f).

s 99GD ins 2021 No. 5 s 5

amd 2023 No. 6 s 129

99GE Giving false or misleading information about banned single-use plastic items

A person must not give information that the person knows is false or misleading to another person about—

(a)the composition of a banned single-use plastic item; or

(b)whether or not a plastic item is a banned single-use plastic item.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

s 99GE ins 2021 No. 5 s 5

ch 4 pt 3AA div 3 hdg ins 2021 No. 5 s 5

99GF Stating conditions under which plastic items are compostable

(1)This section applies if a person—

(a)conducts a manufacturing, wholesale, distribution or import business or undertaking; and

(b)in the course of conducting the business or undertaking, sells a plastic item that is compostable to another person.

(2)The person must ensure the conditions under which the plastic item is compostable are clearly and legibly written—

(a)on the packaging for the plastic item; or

(b)in information or a document accompanying the plastic item.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(3)In this section—

condition, under which a plastic item is compostable, includes—

(a)whether the plastic item is suitable for industrial or home composting; and

(b)whether the plastic item is compostable under AS 4736 or AS 5810.

s 99GF ins 2021 No. 5 s 5

99GG Certification to chief executive about whether or not plastic items are compostable

(1)The chief executive may give a notice under this section to a person if the chief executive believes the person—

(a)conducts a manufacturing, wholesale, distribution or import business or undertaking; and

(b)in the course of conducting the business or undertaking, sells to another person—

(i)a plastic item that is compostable (a sold item); or

(ii)a plastic item (also a sold item) the person tells the other person is compostable.

(2)A notice under this section may require the person to give the chief executive a certification about the sold item.

(3)A person who is given a notice under this section must comply with the notice within 20 business days after receiving the notice unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(4)In this section—

certification, about a sold item, means a certification about whether or not the sold item is compostable that—

(a)includes the information decided by the chief executive; and

(b)is in the form decided by the chief executive.

s 99GG ins 2021 No. 5 s 5

99GH Giving false or misleading information about whether or not plastic items are compostable

A person must not give information, or a document containing information, that the person knows is false or misleading to another person about whether or not a plastic item is compostable.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

s 99GH ins 2021 No. 5 s 5

ch 4 pt 3AA div 4 hdg ins 2021 No. 5 s 5

99GI Review of part

(1)The Minister must ensure a review of the operation of this part starts not more than 2 years after the commencement.

(2)The review must include a review of—

(a)the effect of this part on the community, especially persons with a disability or healthcare needs; and

(b)the level of public knowledge and understanding about this part, including—

(i)what is or is not a banned single-use plastic item, and alternatives to banned single-use plastic items; and

(ii)whether or not plastic items are compostable; and

(c)the effectiveness of this part in reducing the number of single-use plastic items—

(i)used or sold; and

(ii)that become waste and are littered or disposed of to landfill; and

(d)the effect of this part on the use or sale of alternatives to single-use plastic items, including whether or not the alternatives are sustainable or designed to be used only once; and

(e)the level of compliance with this part.

(3)The chief executive must give a report on the outcome of the review to the Minister within 6 months after the day the review starts.

(4)The Minister must table the report in the Legislative Assembly within 12 sitting days after receiving the report.

s 99GI ins 2021 No. 5 s 5

ch 4 pt 3AB hdg ins 2023 No. 15 s 24

99GJ Release of lighter-than-air balloons

(1)A person must not release, or cause the release of, a lighter-than-air balloon unless—

(a)the release happens inside a building or another structure and the balloon does not escape from the building or other structure into the environment; or

(b)the release is for scientific research, including, for example, meteorology.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(2)For subsection (1), a person releases a lighter-than-air balloon if the person allows the balloon to float in the atmosphere while the balloon is not attached, directly or indirectly, to the earth’s surface or a relevant weight.

(3)Without limiting subsection (1), a person is taken to have caused the release of a lighter-than-air balloon if—

(a)the person attaches the balloon, whether directly or indirectly, to the earth’s surface or a relevant weight; and

(b)the balloon detaches from the earth’s surface, or the relevant weight, without the assistance of another person; and

(c)the person did not take reasonable steps to ensure the balloon could not detach from the earth’s surface or the relevant weight.

(4)This section does not limit section 103.

(5)In this section—

lighter-than-air balloon—

(a)means an inflated balloon, or a lantern, that derives support in the atmosphere from buoyancy; but

(b)does not include—

(i)an inflated balloon, or a lantern, that carries 1 or more persons, including, for example, a hot air balloon or blimp; or

(ii)an inflated balloon, or a lantern, that is a remotely-piloted aircraft.

relevant weight, in relation to a lighter-than-air balloon, means a person, or a thing, that is too heavy for the balloon to support in the atmosphere.

Examples of a thing—

a vehicle or a structure

remotely-piloted aircraft means an aircraft that—

(a)can not carry a person; and

(b)either—

(i)is remotely piloted or otherwise controlled; or

(ii)is able to be programmed to independently fly a particular route.

s 99GJ ins 2023 No. 15 s 24

ch 4 pt 3B hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

ch 4 pt 3B div 1 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

ch 4 pt 3B div 1 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99H Objects of part

The main objects of this part are to—

(a)increase the recovery and recycling of empty beverage containers; and

(b)reduce the number of empty beverage containers that are littered or disposed of to landfill; and

(c)ensure the manufacturers of beverage products meet their product stewardship responsibility in relation to their beverage products; and

(d)provide opportunities for social enterprise, and benefits for community organisations, by—

(i)making funds available through the payment of refund amounts for empty beverage containers; and

(ii)creating opportunities for employment in activities related to collecting, sorting and processing containers for recycling; and

(e)complement existing collection and recycling activities for recyclable waste.

Example of existing collection and recycling activities—

Local governments collect recyclable waste through kerbside waste collection services and arrange for the waste to be recycled.

s 99H ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99I How objects are to be achieved

The objects are achieved by providing for a container refund scheme (the scheme) that—

(a)encourages consumers to collect empty beverage containers for recycling by providing for refund amounts to be paid for the containers; and

(b)encourages waste management service providers to ensure empty beverage containers collected through general waste services are recycled by providing for recovery amounts to be paid for containers sent for recycling; and

(c)recognises the role of the manufacturers of beverage products in generating waste in the form of empty containers by requiring the manufacturers to—

(i)contribute to the cost of refund amounts paid for the containers and the cost of administering the scheme; and

(ii)ensure containers for their beverage products are made of materials that are suitable for recycling; and

(d)is administered by the Product Responsibility Organisation.

s 99I ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99J Functions of Product Responsibility Organisation

(1)The Product Responsibility Organisation’s main function is to administer and provide governance for the scheme.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the Organisation has the following functions—

(a)to ensure ongoing, efficient and effective arrangements are available in Queensland for empty beverage containers to be collected, sorted and recycled;

(b)to establish a network of container refund points to, as far as practicable, provide communities in Queensland with access to a place for the return of empty beverage containers for the payment of refund amounts;

(c)to ensure manufacturers of beverage products fund the scheme by requiring the manufacturers to pay sufficient amounts under container recovery agreements;

(d)to set the amounts payable, or the method for working out the amounts payable, under the scheme—

(i)by manufacturers of beverage products to fund the scheme; and

(ii)to the operators of container refund points to pay the refund amounts for empty beverage containers and to handle, sort and transport the containers for recycling;

(e)to identify manufacturers of beverage products who are not participating in the scheme, including, for example, because a manufacturer—

(i)is selling beverages in containers that are not registered; or

(ii)has not entered into a container recovery agreement with the Organisation;

(f)to promote the scheme and the location of container refund points;

(g)to receive and deal with complaints relating to the scheme from members of the public and entities participating in the scheme;

(h)the functions given to it under this Act or another Act.

s 99J ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

ch 4 pt 3B div 1 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99K Definitions for part

In this part—

beverage see section 99L.

beverage product see section 99N(1).

container see section 99M.

container approval, for a beverage product, see section 99ZN.

container collection agreement see section 99ZA(1).

container recovery agreement see section 99Q.

container refund point—

(a)means a facility or other place—

(i)at which empty containers may be returned in exchange for the payment of refund amounts; and

(ii)that may be operated on a permanent, temporary or mobile basis; and

(b)includes a reverse vending machine.

extraordinary circumstances exemption see section 99ZY(2).

manufacturer, of a beverage product, see section 99O.

material recovery agreement see section 99ZF(1).

material recovery facility see section 99ZE.

operator, of a container refund point that is a reverse vending machine, means the person who—

(a)if the owner of the reverse vending machine has leased or hired it to another person—leases or hires the reverse vending machine; or

(b)otherwise—owns the reverse vending machine.

recovery amount, for a quantity of containers, see section 99ZG.

recovery amount protocol see section 99ZK.

refund amount means the amount prescribed by regulation as the refund amount.

refund declaration see section 99T(2).

refund marking means the marking or labelling about the refund amount payable for a container under the scheme that complies with the requirements prescribed by regulation.

registered, for a container, means the container is included in the register of approved containers kept under section 99ZM(1).

reverse vending machine means a device for collecting empty containers that—

(a)if the device recognises a container placed in the device as a container for which a refund amount is payable under the scheme by, for example, scanning the container’s barcode—

(i)accepts the container; and

(ii)dispenses the refund amount for the container in a way stated on or near the machine; or

(b)otherwise—refuses to accept the container.

type, of a container, see section 99N(2).

s 99K ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99L Meaning of beverage

(1)A beverage is a liquid intended for human consumption by drinking.

(2)However, a beverage does not include a liquid prescribed by regulation to not be a beverage for this section.

s 99L ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99M Meaning of container

(1)A container is—

(a)a container that is made to—

(i)contain a beverage; and

(ii)when filled with a beverage, be sealed for storage, transport and handling before being sold for the beverage to be consumed; or

(b)another container prescribed by regulation as a container for this section.

(2)However, a container does not include a container prescribed by regulation to not be a container for this section.

s 99M ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99N Meaning of beverage product and type of container

(1)A beverage product is the combination of a particular beverage packaged in a container of a particular type.

(2)The type of a container is the combination of—

(a)the volume of a beverage the container is made to hold; and

(b)the material the container is made of.

s 99N ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99O Meaning of manufacturer

(1)A person is a manufacturer of a beverage product if the person—

(a)makes the beverage product, including, for example—

(i)by filling containers with a beverage; or

(ii)engaging another person under a contract to make the beverage product or fill containers with a beverage for the person; or

(b)imports the beverage product from a foreign country; or

(c)arranges for the distribution of the beverage product in Queensland.

(2)For subsection (1)(a) and (b), it does not matter whether the beverage product is made in, or imported into, Queensland or another State.

s 99O ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

ch 4 pt 3B div 2 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99P Restriction on manufacturer selling beverage product

(1)A manufacturer of a beverage product must not sell the beverage product to another person to use or consume in Queensland, or to sell for use, consumption or further sale in Queensland, unless—

(a)a container recovery agreement is in force for the type of container used for the beverage product; and

(b)the container is registered; and

(c)the container displays—

(i)the refund marking; and

(ii)a barcode for the beverage product.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

(2)For this section, it does not matter whether the beverage manufacturer sells the beverage product in Queensland, in another State or somewhere else.

s 99P ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99Q Container recovery agreement

(1)A container recovery agreement is a written agreement between the Organisation and a manufacturer of a beverage product about the type of container used for the product.

(2)The purpose of a container recovery agreement is to ensure the manufacturer contributes to the cost of the scheme, including, for example, the cost of the refund amounts paid for empty containers under the scheme.

(3)The Organisation must not enter into a container recovery agreement with the manufacturer for a type of container unless the Organisation is satisfied ongoing, effective and appropriate arrangements for the container type to be collected, sorted and recycled are available.

(4)A container recovery agreement must include provisions about the following matters—

(a)the manufacturer’s obligations in relation to paying amounts to the Organisation, including how each amount is worked out and when it is to be paid, to contribute to the costs of—

(i)refund amounts for empty containers of the manufacturer’s beverage products to be paid under the scheme; and

(ii)the administration of the scheme, including amounts paid to the operators of container refund points under the scheme;

(b)the manufacturer’s obligations in relation to giving information to the Organisation about the beverage products made or imported for sale in Queensland by the manufacturer, including how and when the information is to be given;

(c)a dispute resolution process for settling disputes between the Organisation and the manufacturer;

(d)when the agreement must be reviewed;

(e)a process for either party to the agreement to seek an earlier review of the agreement or an amendment to it;

(f)other matters prescribed by regulation.

(5)A container recovery agreement must also include the standard terms, about a matter mentioned in subsection (4) or another matter, prescribed by regulation.

s 99Q ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99R Limits on amounts paid by small beverage manufacturers under container recovery agreements

(1)A small beverage manufacturer must not, under a container recovery agreement, be required to pay an amount to contribute to the costs of the scheme that is more than the amount worked out under a regulation.

(2)In this section—

small beverage manufacturer means a manufacturer of a beverage product who is prescribed by regulation to be a small beverage manufacturer.

s 99R ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

ch 4 pt 3B div 3 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

ch 4 pt 3B div 3 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99SClaiming refund amount from container refund point

(1)A person may claim a refund amount for an empty container by presenting the container at a container refund point.

(2)The operator of the container refund point must accept the container and pay the person the refund amount for the container.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(3)However, subsection (2) does not apply if—

(a)the container is not registered; or

(b)the refund marking is not displayed on the container; or

(c)the operator of the container refund point reasonably believes a refund amount has already been paid for the container; or

(d)if the person is required to give the operator a refund declaration under section 99T—the person does not comply with the requirement; or

(e)if a sign at the container refund point states that the operator of the container refund point pays refund amounts in a way other than in cash—the person refuses to accept the refund amount paid in the other way.

Note—

See section 99V for provisions about the ways the operator of a container refund point may pay refund amounts.

(4)This section does not apply to a container refund point that is a reverse vending machine.

s 99S ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99T Refund declaration and proof of identity

(1)A person who claims a refund amount at a container refund point under section 99S must give the operator of the container refund point a refund declaration if—

(a)the claim is for a bulk quantity of empty containers and the person has not entered into a bulk claim arrangement with the operator; or

(b)the operator asks the person for a refund declaration.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(2)A refund declaration is a notice in which a person declares, for the containers for which the person is claiming a refund amount—

(a)the containers were collected in Queensland or a corresponding jurisdiction for the purpose of claiming the refund amount under the scheme or a corresponding scheme; and

(b)that the person reasonably believes—

(i)all the containers display the refund marking; and

(ii)all the containers are registered; and

(iii)a refund amount has not previously been paid for the containers.

(3)A refund declaration must be—

(a)in the approved form; and

(b)signed by the person making the declaration; and

(c)accompanied by an official document containing the person’s photograph (for example, a passport or driver licence) as proof of the person’s identity.

(4)In this section—

bulk claim arrangement, between a person and the operator of a container refund point, is an arrangement in writing—

(a)under which the operator agrees to accept claims for refund amounts for bulk quantities of empty containers from the person; and

(b)that states the person’s obligations under the arrangement in relation to claiming the refund amounts and delivering empty containers to the container refund point.

bulk quantity, of empty containers, means the quantity of containers prescribed by regulation.

s 99T ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99U Claiming refund amount from reverse vending machine

(1)A person may claim a refund amount for an empty container from a reverse vending machine by placing the container in the machine.

(2)A refund amount is paid for the container when the reverse vending machine—

(a)accepts the container; and

(b)dispenses the refund amount for the container in a way mentioned in subsection (3); and

(c)gives the person a written record of—

(i)the container accepted; and

(ii)the refund amount for the container; and

(iii)how and, if the refund amount was not dispensed to the person, to whom the refund amount was dispensed.

(3)A refund amount may be dispensed by a reverse vending machine in the following ways—

(a)to the person claiming the refund amount—

(i)in cash; or

(ii)in another way stated on a sign that is on or near the machine;

(b)if a sign on or near the machine states that refund amounts for empty containers accepted by the machine are paid to another entity—by paying the amount to the other entity.

Example of an entity refund amounts may be paid to—

A reverse vending machine raises money for a charity by paying refund amounts to the charity.

(4)A written record may be given under subsection (2)(c) electronically.

s 99U ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99V Ways refund amount may be paid

(1)The operator of a container refund point may pay refund amounts for containers presented at the container refund point—

(a)in cash or another way; or

(b)in 1 or more ways; or

(c)in different ways for different quantities of containers.

Examples of ways in which refund amounts may be paid—

•in cash

•by electronic funds transfer to a bank account or credit card account

•as a voucher or card redeemable for cash, goods or services

(2)If an operator pays a refund amount other than in cash, the operator must clearly display a sign at the container refund point that states—

(a)the way the operator pays the refund amount; and

(b)if the operator pays the refund amount in different ways for different quantities of containers—the quantities of containers that apply for each different way.

s 99V ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99W When refund amount must not be claimed

A person must not claim a refund amount for an empty container at a container refund point if the person knows, or ought reasonably to know—

(a)a refund amount has already been paid for the container; or

(b)a recovery amount has been paid to the operator of a material recovery facility for the container.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

s 99W ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

ch 4 pt 3B div 3 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99X Obligations of operator of reverse vending machine

(1)This section applies to the operator of a container refund point that is a reverse vending machine.

(2)The operator must ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable—

(a)the reverse vending machine is working properly; and

(b)if the machine is not working properly—

(i)the machine is turned off; or

(ii)a sign or other method is used to indicate to users the machine is not working properly; and

(c)the machine does not accept an empty container if the machine is not able to dispense a refund amount for the container; and

(d)the machine does not dispense a refund amount for a container if—

(i)the container is not registered; or

(ii)the container does not display the refund marking and a barcode for a beverage product; and

(e)the following information is clearly displayed on or near the machine—

(i)the types of container that can be accepted by the machine;

(ii)if the machine dispenses the refund amount for a container other than in cash—the way the refund amount is dispensed;

Examples of ways other than cash in which a refund amount may be dispensed—

•issuing a voucher or card redeemable for cash, goods or services

•crediting the amount to a bank account or credit card account using electronic funds transfer

(iii)if the refund amount for an empty container is dispensed by being paid to an entity other than the person who claims the refund amount—the entity to whom the refund amount is paid.

Example of an entity to whom a refund amount may be paid—

A reverse vending machine raises money for a charity by paying refund amounts to the charity.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

s 99X ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99Y Container refund point operator must keep refund declarations

(1)The operator of a container refund point must—

(a)keep each refund declaration given to the operator for at least 5 years after the declaration was given; and

(b)for the proof of identity document mentioned in section 99T(3)(c) that accompanied the declaration—

(i)make a copy of the proof of identity document; and

(ii)keep the copy with the declaration for the period mentioned in paragraph (a); and

(c)if asked by an authorised person—produce the declaration and copy of the proof of identity document for inspection by the authorised person.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(2)For this section, a document may be made, kept or produced for inspection—

(a)electronically; or

(b)by making, keeping or producing for inspection a copy of the document.

s 99Y ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

ch 4 pt 3B div 3 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99Z Container collection agreement required to operate container refund point

A person must not operate a container refund point unless a container collection agreement is in force for the container refund point.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

s 99Z ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZA Container collection agreement

(1)A container collection agreement is a written agreement between the Organisation and the operator of a container refund point that includes provisions about the following matters—

(a)the operator’s obligations under the agreement in relation to—

(i)sorting empty containers and transporting the containers, or arranging for the containers to be transported, to a waste facility for recycling; and

(ii)keeping records, and reporting to the Organisation, about the refund amounts paid and containers collected, sorted and transported for recycling by the operator; and

(iii)ensuring the container refund point is accessible to the public, including by operating the container refund point at particular times;

(b)the amounts payable to the operator under the agreement for—

(i)refund amounts paid, or to be paid, by the operator for containers under subdivision 1; and

(ii)handling, sorting and transporting the containers for recycling;

(c)when and how the operator may claim amounts mentioned in paragraph (b) and when and how the Organisation must pay the amounts;

(d)if the agreement relates to a reverse vending machine—the types of containers to be collected using the machine;

(e)whether the operator may subcontract the operation of the container refund point and the operator’s obligations to the Organisation if the operation is subcontracted;

(f)a dispute resolution process for settling disputes between the Organisation and the operator;

(g)the term of the agreement and when the agreement must be reviewed;

(h)a process for either party to the agreement to seek an earlier review of the agreement or an amendment to it;

(i)other matters prescribed by regulation.

(2)A container collection agreement must also include the standard terms, about a matter mentioned in subsection (1) or another matter, prescribed by regulation.

(3)The Organisation must give a person an information notice if—

(a)the person asks the Organisation, in writing, to enter into a container collection agreement for the purpose of the person operating a container refund point; and

(b)the Organisation decides not to enter into a container collection agreement with the person.

Note—

See chapter 9 for provisions about internal and external reviews for a decision under this subsection.

(4)For subsection (3), the Organisation is taken to have decided not to enter into a container collection agreement with a person if the Organisation does not offer, in writing, to enter into an agreement with the person within 20 business days after the person makes the request mentioned in subsection (3)(a).

s 99ZA ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZB Operator of container refund point may claim payment for containers collected

(1)The operator of a container refund point may claim a collection amount from the Organisation for containers collected by the operator.

(2) The claim must—

(a)be in the form required by the operator’s container collection agreement; and

(b)be signed by the operator; and

(c)include details of—

(i)the number of containers the subject of the claim and the amount of the refund amounts paid for the containers; and

(ii)the waste facility to which the containers were transported for recycling; and

(d)be accompanied by the following—

(i)a declaration that the operator reasonably believes all the containers are registered and display the refund marking;

(ii)copies of any refund declarations and proof of identity documents mentioned in section 99T(3)(c) that relate to the containers;

(iii)a notice signed by the operator of the waste facility mentioned in paragraph (c)(ii) declaring the operator has received the containers for recycling.

(3)The Organisation must pay the collection amount for the containers to the operator as required by the container collection agreement.

(4)If the Organisation decides the collection amount claimed for the containers is not payable to the operator by the container collection agreement, the Organisation must give the operator an information notice for the decision.

Note—

See chapter 9 for provisions about internal and external reviews of a decision under this subsection.

(5)For subsection (4), the Organisation is taken to have decided the collection amount is not payable to the operator under the container collection agreement if the Organisation does not pay the collection amount claimed for the containers within the time required under the agreement.

(6)Subsection (2)(c)(ii) and (d)(iii) does not apply to a container the subject of an extraordinary circumstances exemption.

(7)In this section—

collection amount means an amount payable to the operator under a container collection agreement for—

(a)refund amounts paid, or to be paid, by the operator for containers under subdivision 1; and

(b)handling, sorting and transporting the containers for recycling.

s 99ZB ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZC When container refund point operator must not claim payment

(1)The operator of a container refund point must not claim payment of an amount from the Organisation under a container collection agreement if the payment relates to a container and any of the following apply—

(a)the operator has not paid a refund amount for the container;

(b)the container is not registered;

(c)the operator knows, or ought reasonably to know, the container has been disposed of to landfill, whether or not the operator has paid a refund amount for the container.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(2)Subsection (1)(c) does not apply to a container that is the subject of an extraordinary circumstances exemption.

s 99ZC ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZD Operator must ensure containers sent for recycling

(1)This section applies if—

(a)the operator of a container refund point has paid a refund amount for a container; and

(b)the container is not the subject of an extraordinary circumstances exemption.

(2)The operator must not allow the container to be disposed of to landfill.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

s 99ZD ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

ch 4 pt 3B div 4 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZE Meaning of material recovery facility

(1)A material recovery facility is a facility or other place—

(a)at which recyclable waste is sorted and prepared for recycling, whether or not the waste is also recycled at the facility or place; or

(b)of another type prescribed by regulation as a material recovery facility.

(2)However, a material recovery facility does not include a facility or other place prescribed by regulation to not be a material recovery facility.

s 99ZE ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZF Material recovery agreement

(1)A material recovery agreement is a written agreement between the Organisation and the operator of a material recovery facility about the payment of recovery amounts to the operator for containers the operator sorts and prepares for recycling.

(2)A material recovery agreement must contain provisions about the following matters—

(a)the types of containers the operator sorts and prepares for recycling;

(b)the arrangements the operator has in place for recycling the containers or sending the containers to a waste facility for recycling;

(c)whether recovery amounts for quantities of containers will be worked out based on the actual number of containers or the recovery amount protocol;

(d)when and how recovery amounts may be claimed by the operator and will be paid by the Organisation;

(e)a dispute resolution process for settling disputes between the Organisation and the operator;

(f)when the agreement must be reviewed;

(g)a process for either party to the agreement to seek an earlier review of the agreement or an amendment to it;

(h)other matters prescribed by regulation.

(3)A material recovery agreement must also include the standard terms, about a matter mentioned in subsection (2) or another matter, prescribed by regulation.

(4)The Organisation must give the operator of a material recovery facility an information notice if—

(a)the operator asks the Organisation, in writing, to enter into a material recovery agreement for the purpose of claiming recovery amounts for containers; and

(b)the Organisation decides not to enter into a material recovery agreement with the operator.

Note—

See chapter 9 for provisions about internal and external reviews for a decision under this subsection.

(5)For subsection (4), the Organisation is taken to have decided not to enter into a material recovery agreement with the operator of a material recovery facility if the Organisation does not offer, in writing, to enter into an agreement with the operator within 20 business days after the operator makes the request mentioned in subsection (4)(a).

s 99ZF ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZG Meaning of recovery amount

(1)The recovery amount for a quantity of containers is—

(a)if the number of containers in the quantity is known—the total of the refund amounts for the number of containers; or

(b)otherwise—the amount worked out under the recovery amount protocol for the quantity.

(2)In this part, a recovery amount for a container—

(a)has been claimed if the container is included in a quantity of containers for which a recovery amount has been claimed; and

(b)has been paid if the container is included in a quantity of containers for which a recovery amount has been paid.

s 99ZG ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZH Operator of material recovery facility may claim recovery amounts

(1)The operator of a material recovery facility may claim the recovery amount for a quantity of containers from the Organisation if the operator—

(a)has entered into a material recovery agreement with the Organisation; and

(b)has recycled the containers or sent the containers to a waste facility for recycling.

(2)The claim must be in the form required by the operator’s material recovery agreement and accompanied by—

(a)a notice signed by the operator declaring—

(i)a refund amount has not been paid for any of the containers in the quantity; and

(ii)if the operator has recycled the containers—the operator has recycled the containers; and

(b)if the operator has sent the containers to a waste facility for recycling—a notice signed by the operator of the waste facility declaring the operator has received the containers for recycling; and

(c)if the operator is claiming a recovery amount worked out under the recovery amount protocol—evidence the operator has complied with the protocol for claiming the recovery amount.

(3)The Organisation must pay the recovery amount for the quantity of containers to the operator as required under the material recovery agreement.

(4)If the Organisation decides the recovery amount claimed for the quantity of containers is not payable under the material recovery agreement, the Organisation must give the operator an information notice for the decision.

Note—

See chapter 9 for provisions about internal and external reviews of a decision under this subsection.

(5)For subsection (4), the Organisation is taken to have decided the recovery amount is not payable under the material recovery agreement if the Organisation does not pay the recovery amount claimed for a quantity of containers within the time required by the agreement.

(6)Subsections (1)(b) and (2)(a)(ii) and (b) do not apply to containers the subject of an extraordinary circumstances exemption.

s 99ZH ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZI When material recovery facility operator must not claim recovery amount

(1)The operator of a material recovery facility must not claim the recovery amount for a container if—

(a)a refund amount has been paid for the container at a container refund point; or

(b)the container is not registered; or

(c)the operator has allowed the container to be, or knows the container has been, disposed of to landfill.

Note—

See section 99ZX for deciding if an operator has allowed a container to be disposed of to landfill.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(2)Subsection (1)(c) does not apply to a container that is the subject of an extraordinary circumstances exemption.

s 99ZI ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZJ Operator must not allow containers to become landfill

(1)The operator of a material recovery facility must not allow a container to be disposed of to landfill if the operator has received a recovery amount for the container.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

Note—

See section 99ZX for deciding if an operator has allowed a container to be disposed of to landfill.

(2)This section does not apply to a container that is the subject of an extraordinary circumstances exemption.

s 99ZJ ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZK Recovery amount protocol

(1)A recovery amount protocol is a document, issued by the chief executive, that states the way in which recovery amounts for containers are worked out if the number of containers is not known.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), a recovery amount protocol may provide for ways to estimate the number of containers that are intermingled with other recyclable waste, for example—

(a)by sampling quantities of recyclable waste that include containers to work out the proportion of the waste that is containers; and

(b)estimating the number of containers in other quantities of recyclable waste using the proportion worked out from the sampling.

(3)A recovery amount protocol is issued by the chief executive by publishing it on the department’s website.

(4)The chief executive must review a recovery amount protocol—

(a)if the Organisation or the operator of a material recovery facility asks the chief executive, in writing, to review the protocol; or

(b)at other times prescribed by regulation.

s 99ZK ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZL Operator of material recovery facility must comply with protocol

(1)This section applies if a material recovery agreement provides for the recovery amounts for quantities of containers claimed by the operator of a material recovery facility to be worked out under the recovery amount protocol.

(2)The operator of the material recovery facility must comply with the recovery amount protocol.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

s 99ZL ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

ch 4 pt 3B div 5 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

ch 4 pt 3B div 5 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZM Organisation must establish and keep register

(1)The Organisation must keep an up-to-date register of approved containers.

(2)An approved container is a container for a beverage product for which an approval is in force under—

(a)subdivision 2; or

(b)a corresponding law for a corresponding scheme.

(3)The register must contain the following details for each approved container and the beverage product packaged in the container—

(a)a description of the beverage product, including the following—

(i)the type of beverage in the product;

(ii)the volume of beverage in the product;

(iii)the material the container, including its label, is made of;

(b)the manufacturer of the beverage product who holds the approval;

(c)the barcode for the beverage product;

(d)if the approval was granted in a corresponding jurisdiction—the corresponding jurisdiction;

(e)the following days—

(i)the day the approval was granted;

(ii)if the approval has ended—the day the approval ended;

(f)any conditions of the approval.

(4)The Organisation may also record in the register any other information the Organisation considers appropriate.

(5)The register must be kept as a searchable, public register.

s 99ZM ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

ch 4 pt 3B div 5 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZN Application

A manufacturer of a beverage may apply to the chief executive for approval of a container for a beverage product (a container approval).

Note—

See chapter 8A for general provisions that apply to the application and to a container approval.

s 99ZN ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZO Particular matters for deciding application

The chief executive may grant the container approval only if satisfied—

(a)a container recovery agreement between the Organisation and a manufacturer of the beverage product for the container type used in the product—

(i)is in force; or

(ii)has been agreed in principle by the Organisation pending the approval being granted; and

(b)the container is suitable to be recycled; and

(c)the way the refund marking is proposed to be displayed on the container is not likely to affect whether the container is suitable to be recycled; and

(d)approval for the beverage product is not in force under a corresponding law for a corresponding scheme; and

(e)approval for the beverage product has not been refused or cancelled under a corresponding law for a corresponding scheme.

Note—

See section 173V for the general criteria that apply for deciding the application.

s 99ZO ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZP Notice of container approval

(1)If the chief executive decides to grant the container approval for a beverage product, the notice given to the manufacturer under section 173W must state the matters mentioned in section 99ZM(3) for the beverage product.

(2)The chief executive must give a copy of the notice about the decision to the Organisation within 10 business days after making the decision.

s 99ZP ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZQ Conditions of container approval

(1)It is a condition of a container approval that the holder must give the Organisation notice about any changes to the beverage product the subject of the approval, including, for example—

(a)the type of beverage in the product; or

(b)the volume of beverage in the product; or

(c)the material the container, including its label, is made of.

Note—

See section 173X for the chief executive’s general power to impose conditions on a container approval.

(2)The holder of a container approval must comply with the conditions of the approval.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

s 99ZQ ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZR Container approval continues in force

(1)A container approval continues in force until the approval is cancelled or surrendered.

(2)However, if a container approval is suspended, the approval does not have effect for the period of the suspension.

(3)Despite subsections (1) and (2), a person, other than a manufacturer of a beverage product the subject of the container approval, does not commit an offence against this part—

(a)if the container used for the beverage product is no longer registered because the container approval has been cancelled or surrendered, or is suspended; and

(b)merely because the container used for the product is not registered.

s 99ZR ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZS Applying to amend container approval

(1)The holder of a container approval for a beverage product may apply to the chief executive to amend the approval, including a condition of the approval.

Note—

See chapter 8A, part 2 for general provisions that apply to the application.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the holder may apply to amend—

(a)the type of beverage in the beverage product; or

(b)the volume of beverage in the product; or

(c)the material the container, including its label, is made of.

s 99ZS ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZT Deciding amendment application

(1)This section applies if the chief executive is deciding whether or not to amend a container approval—

(a)on an application made under section 99ZS; or

(b)after giving the holder of the approval a show cause notice about a proposed amendment under section 173ZB.

(2)Section 99ZO applies as if the decision were a decision about whether to grant the container approval.

s 99ZT ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZU Applying to transfer container approval

(1)The holder of a container approval may apply to the chief executive to transfer the approval to another person.

Note—

See chapter 8A, part 2 for general provisions that apply to the application.

(2)The application must be accompanied by the signed consent of the proposed transferee.

(3)The period for deciding the application is 10 business days.

(4)If the chief executive decides to grant the application, the chief executive must, in addition to the notice under section 173W, give a notice about the decision to the proposed transferee and the Organisation within 5 business days after making the decision.

s 99ZU ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZV Grounds for suspending or cancelling container approval

Each of the following is a ground for suspending or cancelling a container approval for a beverage product—

(a)a container recovery agreement for the type of container for the beverage product is not, or is no longer, in force between the Organisation and a manufacturer of the product;

(b)the container is not, or is no longer, suitable to be recycled;

(c)the way the refund marking is proposed to be displayed on the container affects, or is likely to affect, whether the container can be recycled;

(d)the container for the beverage product is no longer a container under the scheme;

(e)the beverage in the beverage product is no longer a beverage under the scheme.

Note—

See chapter 8A, part 3 for general provisions that apply for suspending or cancelling a container approval.

s 99ZV ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

ch 4 pt 3B div 6 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZW Inconsistent provision has no effect

A provision of any of the following agreements has no effect to the extent the provision is inconsistent with this Act—

(a)a container recovery agreement;

(b)a container collection agreement;

(c)a material recovery agreement.

s 99ZW ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZX Disposal of containers to landfill

(1)This section applies for deciding, for this part, whether a person has disposed of, or allowed the disposal of, a container to landfill.

(2)A person has allowed a container to be disposed of to landfill if—

(a)the person arranged for the container to be taken to a waste facility for recycling; and

(b)when the person made the arrangement, the person knew, or ought reasonably to have known, the operator of the waste facility was likely to dispose of, or allow the disposal of, the container to landfill; and

(c)the container is disposed of to landfill.

(3)A person has not disposed of, or allowed the disposal of, a container to landfill if—

(a)the person arranged for the container to be taken to a waste facility at which containers of that type can be recycled; and

(b)part of the container can not be recycled at the waste facility; and

(c)that part of the container is disposed of to landfill.

s 99ZX ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZY Extraordinary circumstances exemption

(1)This section applies if a container has become unsuitable to be recycled because of extraordinary circumstances.

Example—

The container becomes contaminated when the place at which the container is stored is inundated by water from a flooded river during a severe storm.

(2)The operator of a container refund point or material recovery facility may apply to the chief executive for an exemption (an extraordinary circumstances exemption) from the requirements under this part to—

(a)recycle the container or send the container to be recycled; and

(b)not allow the container to be disposed of to landfill.

Note—

See chapter 8A for general provisions that apply to the application and an extraordinary circumstances exemption.

(3)The chief executive may grant the exemption if satisfied—

(a)the container has become unsuitable to be recycled; and

(b)the circumstances that caused the container to become unsuitable to be recycled were extraordinary and either—

(i)could not have reasonably been foreseen; or

(ii)were beyond the operator’s control.

s 99ZY ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

99ZZ Authorisations for competition legislation

(1)The following things are specifically authorised for competition legislation—

(a)appointing, under part 5, a company to administer the scheme;

(b)granting, amending, transferring, suspending, cancelling or surrendering a container approval;

(c)a container collection agreement;

(d)a container recovery agreement;

(e)a material recovery agreement;

(f)the conduct of a person negotiating, entering into and performing an agreement mentioned in paragraph (c), (d) or (e).

(2)Anything authorised to be done by subsection (1) is authorised only to the extent to which it would otherwise contravene the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cwlth) or the Competition Code of Queensland.

(3)In this section—

competition legislation means the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cwlth), section 51(1)(b) or the Competition Code of Queensland, section 51.

s 99ZZ ins 2017 No. 31 s 4

100Application of this part

(1)This part applies to waste only if a regulation has identified the waste for the purposes of this part.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), waste may be identified according to its type.

(3)This part does not apply to waste excluded under a regulation from the operation of this part.

(4)Waste to which this part applies is disposal ban waste.

101Prohibition on disposal of disposal ban waste

The operator of a waste facility who is required to hold an environmental authority in relation to the disposal of waste at the facility must not dispose of disposal ban waste at the facility.

Maximum penalty—1,000 penalty units.

s 101 amd 2012 No. 16 s 78 sch (amd 2013 No. 6 s 50 sch amdt 29)

102Considerations for prescribing waste as disposal ban waste

(1)The Minister may recommend to the Governor in Council the making of a regulation that identifies waste for the purposes of this part only after considering all of the following—

(a)whether prohibition on the disposal of the waste is the most effective point of intervention in the life cycle of the waste;

(b)whether there are viable existing or potential collection systems and markets for any benefit that may be obtained from not disposing of the waste;

(c)whether the costs of monitoring, enforcement and market development are proportional to the benefits;

(d)whether voluntary or other measures for the avoidance of disposal have been shown not to be effective;

(e)whether a prohibition on disposal is required to support an accredited product stewardship scheme, a regulated product stewardship scheme or an approved program.

(2)The Minister, in considering the matters mentioned in subsection (1), may consult with any expert reference group or other entity the Minister considers appropriate.

ch 4 pt 5 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

ch 4 pt 5 div 1 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

102A Appointment

The Minister may, under this part, appoint an eligible company as the Product Responsibility Organisation for the container refund scheme.

s 102A ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

102B Meaning of eligible company

(1)An eligible company is a company that—

(a)is registered under the Corporations Act; and

(b)is carried on other than for the profit or gain of its individual members; and

(c)has a constitution that, at all times—

(i)requires the company to maintain a board, constituted by 9 directors, that has the composition required under subsection (2); and

(ii)prohibits dividends being paid to, or the income, profits or assets of the company being distributed among, its members; and

(iii)requires the persons appointed or employed as executive officers of the company to be eligible individuals; and

(iv)includes provisions about—

(A)the way the chair and directors are appointed and removed; and

(B)the way the chair and directors vote on and decide matters; and

(C)the remuneration and other entitlements of the chair and directors; and

(D)the way the constitution is amended; and

(E)another matter prescribed by regulation.

(2)For subsection (1)(c)(i), the required composition of the board is as follows—

(a)a chair who is—

(i)a director; and

(ii)independent of the beverage industry; and

(iii)approved by the Minister;

(b)at least 1 director who is an executive officer, employee or business associate of a small beverage manufacturer or an association that represents small beverage manufacturers;

(c)at least 1 director who is an executive officer, employee or business associate of a large beverage manufacturer;

(d)at least 1 director who—

(i)represents the interests of the community; and

(ii)is independent of the beverage industry; and

(iii)is approved by the Minister;

(e)at least 2 other directors who—

(i)have legal or financial qualifications and experience; and

(ii)are independent of the beverage industry.

(3)In this section—

independent of the beverage industry, for a person, means the person is not an executive officer, employee or business associate of a manufacturer of a beverage product.

large beverage manufacturer means a manufacturer of a beverage product other than a small beverage manufacturer.

small beverage manufacturer see section 99R(2).

s 102B ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

102C Powers

The Organisation has the powers necessary for performing its functions.

Note—

See section 99J for the Organisation’s functions.

s 102C ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

ch 4 pt 5 div 2 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

ch 4 pt 5 div 2 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

102D Minister may invite application for appointment

(1)The Minister may invite an eligible company to apply for appointment as the Product Responsibility Organisation for the container refund scheme.

(2)The invitation may state—

(a)outcomes to be met by the Organisation in a stated period after appointment—

(i)relating to the Organisation’s functions; and

(ii)relating to administering the scheme in a way that provides opportunities for social enterprise, innovation and the development of technology; and

(b)other requirements for the application.

s 102D ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

102E Application

After receiving the invitation, the eligible company (the applicant) may apply for appointment as the Product Responsibility Organisation.

s 102E ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

102F Requirements for application

(1)The application must—

(a)be in writing; and

(b)include details of the applicant’s plans for the following matters—

(i)establishing and administering the scheme generally, including the estimated costs of establishing and administering the scheme;

(ii)entering into container recovery agreements with manufacturers of beverage products, including—

(A)the proposed amounts to be paid by the manufacturers under the agreements to contribute to costs of the administration of the scheme; and

(B)a proposed timeframe for entering the agreements;

(iii)establishing a network of container refund points;

(iv)entering into container collection agreements with the operators of container refund points, including—

(A)a process for choosing persons with whom to enter into container collection agreements; and

(B)proposed arrangements for ensuring container refund points are accessible to the public, including proposed locations and operating times; and

(C)the proposed amounts to be paid to operators under the agreements for handling, sorting and transporting containers for recycling; and

(D)a proposed timeframe for entering the agreements;

(v)achieving any outcomes stated in the Minister’s invitation;

(vi)setting the amounts payable under the scheme mentioned in section 99J(2)(d); and

(c)comply with any other requirements stated in the Minister’s invitation.

(2)The application must be accompanied by the following—

(a)a copy of the applicant’s constitution;

(b)evidence establishing the applicant is an eligible company and each of its executive officers is an eligible individual;

(c)a draft strategic plan and operational plan for establishing and administering the scheme;

(d)draft terms of a container recovery agreement, container collection agreement and material recovery agreement;

(e)a draft framework for resolving disputes between the applicant, manufacturers of beverage products, the operators of container refund points and the operators of material recovery facilities;

(f)draft policies for handling commercial or sensitive information about the beverage market;

(g)the signed consent of each person who the applicant considers is an executive officer or business associate of the applicant to—

(i)the collection of personal or background information about the person by the chief executive; and

(ii)a criminal history check.

s 102F ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

102G Referral of application to chief executive for assessment

After receiving the application, the Minister must refer the application to the chief executive for assessment.

s 102G ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

102H Withdrawing or amending application

The applicant may, at any time—

(a)withdraw the application; or

(b)amend the application with the agreement of the Minister.

s 102H ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

ch 4 pt 5 div 2 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

102I Chief executive assesses application

The chief executive must—

(a)assess whether the applicant is suitable for appointment as the Product Responsibility Organisation; and

(b)give the Minister a report about the applicant’s suitability.

s 102I ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

102J Particular matters for assessing application

(1)In assessing whether the applicant is suitable for appointment as the Organisation, the chief executive must consider and, if necessary, investigate the following—

(a)the application;

(b)the documents and evidence mentioned in section 102F(2) that accompanied the application;

(c)the applicant’s business reputation, current financial position and financial background;

(d)the suitability of each executive officer and business associate to be associated with the applicant as the Organisation;

(e)whether, collectively, the executive officers have the skills, knowledge and experience required for the applicant to perform the functions of the Organisation effectively and efficiently.

(2)In assessing the suitability of an executive officer or business associate of the applicant, the chief executive must consider and, if necessary, investigate the person’s—

(a)character or business reputation; and

(b)relevant skills, knowledge and experience; and

(c)current financial position and financial background.

s 102J ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

102K Chief executive may require further information or documents

(1)The chief executive may, by notice, require the applicant to give the chief executive further information or a document reasonably required to decide the application.

(2)When making the requirement, the chief executive must warn the applicant the application will not be considered further until the requirement is complied with.

s 102K ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

ch 4 pt 5 div 2 hdg ins 2017 No. 31 s 5

102L Minister decides application

(1)After receiving the chief executive’s report about the applicant’s suitability, the Minister must—

(a)consider the application and report; and

(b)decide to—

(i)appoint the applicant as the Product Responsibility Organisation and impose the conditions on the appointment the Minister considers necessary or desirable; or

(ii)refuse the application.

(2)The Minister must not decide to appoint the applicant unless the Minister is satisfied—

(a)the applicant has satisfactory plans about the matters mentioned in section 102F(1)(b); and

(b)collectively, the executive officers have the skills, knowledge and experience required for the applicant to perform the functions of the Organisation effectively and efficiently.

s 102L ins 2017 No. 31 s 5