Commercial waste fees run $2.6m over budget as council seeks state-backed reduction program

Toowoomba Regional Council is seeking state funding for a program to help businesses reduce landfill waste after commercial waste disposal fees ran $2.6 million above budget for the year to 30 June 2026.

Council attributed the higher income to a large amount of commercial waste being received at local facilities.

The proposed program would assess business waste, identify ways to improve resource recovery and support waste-reduction measures tailored to individual businesses. The funding request does not specify an amount, the state agency that would administer the program or a start date.

The waste result formed part of an $18.4 million favourable variance in Council’s fees and charges. Other contributors included private works, development activity, water infrastructure services and planning.

Council also reported a $35.2 million end-of-year operating surplus. Unrestricted cash totalled $291.7 million at 30 June 2026, while borrowings were $181.4 million.

The Capital Works Program was 99% complete and $1.6 million below budget. The Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project was $71.3 million below budget because its design phase continued.

The proposed state-backed program puts the focus on helping commercial operators understand what they send to landfill and where more material can be recovered. Its funding, administration and delivery arrangements have not been finalised.

The higher commercial waste income points to increased use of local disposal facilities and added pressure on landfill capacity and resource recovery services.