Public consultation - Draft Landfill siting, design, operation and closure guideline update

Issued: 12 Dec 2023

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) is inviting comments on proposed changes to the Landfill siting, design, operation and closure guideline.

Waste disposal sites form an important part of waste and resource management infrastructure throughout Queensland, however, they are associated with many short- and long-term environmental and social risks.

This revised guideline sets out environmental management expectations for Queensland’s waste disposal industry, with a focus on managing any potential impacts to the environment as a result of siting, designing, operating and closing a waste disposal facility.

The proposed changes set clear, minimum expectations for higher-risk elements of conducting a waste disposal activity, while continuing to outline outcome-focused objectives.

These proposed changes align with the principle of ‘regulating proportionate to risk’ in the department’s Regulatory Strategy 2022-2027.

This means that certain proposed activities would involve additional mitigation strategies and oversight to manage environmental risk.

The proposed changes would ensure Queensland’s landfill guidelines are more in line with other national jurisdictions.

These changes would apply to new operations and expansions.

Consultation will close on 23 February 2024, allowing additional time for feedback to account for the busy Christmas period.

The department will consider any feedback received through the consultation process and will incorporate changes as necessary prior to the publication of the finalised guideline.