Council blames higher costs for big rise in charges for offloading household rubbish
By Sonia Isaacs
HOUSEHOLD waste fees have soared across the Sunshine Coast, with residents now paying at least double what they did just a few years ago — and some claiming charges have tripled in the past year.
A GC&M News comparison of Sunshine Coast Council’s waste fee schedules from 2020/21 and 2025/26 shows steep rises across the board.
A large trailer load of mixed household waste, any volume over one cubic metre but under 500 kilograms, now costs $104 to dump. Five years ago, it was $49.50, a jump of more than 110 per cent.
But even that fi gure isn’t consistent. One resident who contacted GC&M News said they were charged $148 at Witta for a ute and trailer load, compared to $43 last year.
“Expect to see more illegal dumping or backyard burns,” they warned. Even smaller loads have spiked sharply. A medium trailer or ute tray load (up to one cubic metre) now costs $52, up from $39 just two years ago — a rise of 32.5 per cent.
Regular users of local facilities such as Beerwah and Witta Recycling and Waste Centres say the increases are hitting hard, especially as Sunshine Coast Council does not off er free household waste vouchers like neighbouring councils.
Moreton Bay Council residents, for example, get an annual entitlement of either three tonnes or 26 visits per fi nancial year.
The Queensland Waste Levy, introduced in July 2019, applies to all waste disposed of at leviable sites, with councils required to pass on the costs.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said tip fees rise in line with increasing service costs and state levy adjustments.
“Like many organisations and businesses, council has experienced signifi cantly higher costs for labour, fuel, power, materials and equipment hire,” the spokesperson said.
“Council operates under a user-pays principle, meaning individuals who generate waste are responsible for its disposal. This ensures the fi nancial burden isn’t placed on all ratepayers and encourages waste reduction, reuse and recycling.”
Are you paying too much? Contact us at sonia@gcnews.com.au
