When the fires are out and the floodwaters have receded, the real challenge begins: where does all the disaster waste go?
How we handle this waste—before, during, and after a disaster—plays a crucial role in how quickly a community can recover and rebuild. Effective disaster management is essential for reducing long-term environmental and health risks and ensuring that recovery efforts are safe and efficient.
Levy Exemptions
The legislative framework for managing waste in emergency situations is complex, with various Acts providing heads of power or regulatory requirements for prevention, response, and recovery.
In Queensland, certain disaster waste may be exempt from the waste levy under specific conditions as outlined by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science, and Innovation (DETSI). Waste generated by a State-declared disaster, as defined under the Disaster Management Act 2003, may be eligible for levy exemption. To qualify, the waste must meet several criteria, such as it must be directly generated as a result of the disaster, sourced from the affected local government area, and taken to an approved waste disposal site.
Why a Disaster Waste Management Plan Matters
A Disaster Waste Management Plan (DWMP) provides councils with guidance on managing waste throughout all four phases of the emergency management cycle: prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery (PRRR). It supports decision-making by outlining the necessary activities to responsibly manage waste and clarifies the level of support the State Government can provide when local resources are overwhelmed.
The primary objectives of a DWMP are to:
- Provide a collaborative framework for Councils to coordinate waste management efforts during a disaster;
- Facilitate access to internal and external resources and services for the safe and efficient removal, processing, recovery, recycling, and disposal of waste generated by a disaster;
- Identify and prioritise potential transfer sites for use during a disaster;
- Maximise resource recovery and minimise waste sent to landfill;
- Support each Council’s Business Continuity Plan
Spatial Analysis and Disaster Waste Management
One of the first steps in developing a DWMP is identifying which facilities and temporary transfer sites can be utilised to manage the waste generated. Spatial analysis is often the first step in assessing the suitability of potential waste management sites. This involves data discovery, where multiple datasets—both public and private—are gathered to map existing waste facilities in the project area which may or are not impacted during the disaster. Factors such as accessibility, surrounding land uses, as well as any environmental constraints or site features that may impact or limited their suitability are considered.
A Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) can also be used to rank the proposed sites based on their suitability. An MCA assigns weights and scores to various factors for each site, helping to prioritise locations that are best equipped to handle large volumes of waste while minimising environmental or health risks.
Be Disaster-Ready
Disasters can have a lasting impact on communities, and managing the waste generated during such events is a responsibility that should not be overlooked. A well-structured disaster waste management plan is key to recovery.
At Talis, we work closely with our clients at every stage of planning process, helping them stay ahead of the curve and ensure their community is fully prepared. Let us help you tackle this key aspect of disaster preparedness. Get in touch with us today.
