Water, Waste & Energy (WW&E) - 28 April 2026

Topics

• Council pushes for more recycling bins in public parks
  Committee changed a recycling recommendation to require a future report on expanding public park recycling bins across the city.
  Residents could see more convenient recycling options in parks, and the move signals pressure to improve waste diversion.
• Tourism operators may face waste performance agreements
  Council asked officers to examine voluntary or staged waste agreements with hotels, resorts, theme parks and short-term accommodation precincts.
  Visitor-generated waste is a major issue on the Gold Coast, so this could change expectations for the tourism sector and improve recycling outcomes.
• ARRC Gold Coast strategy endorsed
  Council endorsed the ARRC Gold Coast Corporate Strategy 2026-2031, advancing the city’s resource recovery project.
  The strategy shapes long-term waste processing, recycling and potential infrastructure investment for the city.

Decisions

• Waste infrastructure update noted
  Council noted the Waste Infrastructure Planning and Delivery update presentation.
  Signals ongoing planning for waste facilities and delivery of future service infrastructure.
• Recycling targets action proposed
  The committee recommendation was changed so officers must prepare future reports on expanding recycling bins in public parks and on tourism-sector waste performance agreements.
  Could lead to more recycling infrastructure in parks and new waste obligations for tourism operators.
• ARRC Gold Coast Corporate Strategy endorsed
  Council endorsed the ARRC Gold Coast Corporate Strategy 2026-2031.
  Sets the strategic direction for the city’s advanced resource recovery and waste-to-energy related entity.

Discussion

• Water and sewerage monthly financial report
  Council noted the monthly financial report for water and sewerage services for the period ending 28 February 2026.
  Provides transparency on the financial performance of core water and sewerage services.
• Waste services monthly financial report
  Council noted the Waste Services monthly financial report for the period ended 28 February 2026.
  Shows the financial position of waste services residents help fund through rates and charges.
• Recycling targets report
  The council changed the recommendation to include a request for officers to report back on more recycling bins in public parks and possible tourism-sector waste performance agreements.
  May affect recycling access in parks and create waste-reduction expectations for visitor-heavy businesses.
• ARRC Gold Coast strategy
  Council endorsed the ARRC Gold Coast Corporate Strategy 2026-2031.
  Supports the city’s longer-term resource recovery and waste processing plans.

Impacts

• Potential for more recycling bins in public parks across the city.
• Possible new waste-reduction agreements for hotels, resorts, theme parks and short-term accommodation precincts.
• Ongoing reporting on water, sewerage and waste service finances.
• Continued development of the ARRC Gold Coast resource recovery project and strategy.

Places

• Gold Coast (city)
  The committee’s waste, water and energy services cover the city area.
• public parks across the City (public spaces)
  Potential future location for more recycling waste bins.
• tourism precincts (service area)
  Potential target area for visitor waste performance agreements, including accommodation and entertainment venues.

Next

• Officers to prepare a report on a clear pathway to introduce more recycling waste bins in public parks.
  Future Water, Waste and Energy Committee meeting
• Officers to prepare a report on tourism-sector waste performance agreements and related governance, cost and resourcing issues.
  Future Water, Waste and Energy Committee meeting
• Continue implementation and reporting under the ARRC Gold Coast Corporate Strategy 2026-2031.
  Ongoing
• Continue monitoring monthly financial performance for water, sewerage and waste services.
  Monthly/ongoing

Extract

867 CONFIRMED MINUTES WATER, WASTE AND ENERGY COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2026 9:00AM The meeting commenced at 9:01am City of Gold Coast Council Chambers 135 Bundall Road Surfers Paradise 867 Meeting of the Water, Waste and Energy Committee Confirmed Minutes Tuesday 28 April 2026 ORDER OF BUSINESS 1 ATTENDANCE/APOLOGIES .................................................................... 3 2 LEAVE OF ABSENCE ............................................................................... 3 3 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ................................................................ 3 4 CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS ........................................... 4 5 COMMITTEE FORWARD PLA...