Qld Audit Office Audit Highlights Urgent Action Needed on Organics Recycling
The Queensland Audit Office’s latest report, Reducing Organic Household Waste Sent to Landfill, has confirmed what industry and AORA has long flagged: Queensland is falling well short of its waste reduction targets, and urgent action is needed to turn this around.
Organic waste makes up around half of household rubbish bins, yet Queensland is only diverting 28% of household waste from landfill – far below the interim target of 55% by 2025. Without stronger action, the state will not meet its waste strategy goals, undermining both environmental outcomes and opportunities for regional jobs and investment.
The audit found that while the Queensland Organics Strategy 2022–2032 provides a sound vision, its effectiveness is undermined by gaps in data, unclear responsibilities, and regulatory uncertainty. Confusion around PFAS limits and odour requirements created a chilling effect on infrastructure investment, leaving Queensland behind other states where food and garden organics (FOGO) services are being rolled out at scale.
AORA strongly supports the report’s recommendations:
- Setting achievable and measurable targets for organics diversion.
- Providing clarity and consistency on PFAS management.
- Strengthening risk management and transparency in reporting.
- Improving access to funding so councils and industry can invest in collection systems and processing infrastructure.
Importantly, AORA has already demonstrated the value of industry–government collaboration on these issues. In 2024–25, AORA successfully advocated for the removal of unworkable PFAS limits from Queensland’s model operating conditions for composting. We are now working closely with the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) to develop a practical pathway forward that both manages PFAS risk and supports growth in the organics recycling sector.
Queensland now has an opportunity to deliver on its waste strategy targets and climate commitments by turning food and garden waste into high-quality compost that restores soils, supports agriculture, reduces emissions, and creates regional jobs. Achieving this vision will require removing barriers, providing certainty for councils and industry, and engaging the community as active partners in the solution.
The message from the QAO is clear: Queensland cannot afford to delay. To meet its targets and unlock the full benefits of a circular economy, decisive action on organics recycling is needed now.