Requirements for operators in the levy zone
Weighbridge requirements and measurement of waste
Weighbridge installation
All levyable waste disposal sites in the levy zone need to install a weighbridge by particular dates except for very small sites, whom the operators of may apply to the department for an exemption for up to 10 years under a transitional arrangement.
Weighbridges are required to be installed at a waste disposal site by:
- 1 July 2019 – if the site is required to hold an Environmental Authority (EA) for the disposal of more than 10,000 tonnes of waste in a year
- 1 July 2021 – if the site is required to hold an EA for the disposal of between 5,000 and 10,000 tonnes of waste in a year
- 1 July 2024 – for any other operator
- Sites disposing of less than 2,000 tonnes of waste a year, may apply for a further exemption from the requirement to install a weighbridge until 30 June 2029.
Where a site does not have a weighbridge, or where the weighbridge is inoperable, there is a consistent way of deeming the amount of waste from the capacity of the vehicle or container.
How waste is measured
From 1 July 2019, operators of levyable waste disposal sites are required to measure waste that enters the site and correctly remit the waste levy to the State.
Other (non-waste) material will also be required to be measured if it weighs more than 1 tonne. Examples of non-waste material entering a waste disposal site include:
- minor deliveries (e.g. food and office supplies delivered for staff use) weighing less than 1 tonne are not required to be measured
- delivery of large amounts of material (e.g. fuel for site equipment, building materials, or virgin materials for operational purposes) weighing more than 1 tonne must be measured
- vehicles that pass through the site in transit and no material is delivered to or removed from the site, no measurement is required.
Measurement by weighbridge
If a site has a weighbridge—regardless of whether it is required to install a weighbridge or not—then the site operator must use the weighbridge and comply with the relevant requirements.
In some circumstances, this requirement does not apply if the operator:
- has a written agreement with the department under section 60(3) of the Act that it is not practicable to use the weighbridge to measure a specific waste load (e.g. a large aircraft that cannot fit over the weighbridge)
The National Measurement Institute specifies requirements for operators of weighbridges that are used for trade that must be complied with. Weighbridges must be maintained in proper working order and verification undertaken to ensure measurement accuracy in accordance with the National Measurement Act 1960 (Cth).
If the weighbridge is out of operation, it must be repaired and be operational as soon as possible. If the situation continues for more than 24 hours, the department must be notified within 3 days of the weighbridge becoming inoperable, with the following details:
- the event that resulted in the weighbridge being out of operation
- when the weighbridge first became out of operation
- whether the weighbridge is still out of operation
- if the weighbridge is still out of operation – what actions are being taken to bring the weighbridge back into operation.
When the operator sends this notification, if the weighbridge is still out of operation, the operator must notify the department of it being brought back into operation within 3 days after it starts operating again.
To notify the department of a weighbridge being out of operation, please email Waste Avoidance and Recovery Services at WasteLevyApps@des.qld.gov.au and Enquiries.QWDS@des.qld.gov.au.
Measurement by deeming
In the absence of a weighbridge, or where the weighbridge is out of operation, operators must use the weight measurement criteria to deem the amount of waste, or other material that is not waste greater than 1 tonne, based on the type of vehicle or capacity of the container.
Read the weight measurement criteria in the regulation.
Alternative weighbridge waste measurement
Agreement for alternative to weighbridge measurement for particular wastes, or for internal waste movements
Under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 (the Act), sites with weighbridges are required to use the weighbridge for movements of waste or other material in and out of the waste disposal site, and for internal movements between different areas within the waste disposal site, such as between a resource recovery area (RRA) and a levyable waste disposal (LWD) part of the site.
If measurement using a weighbridge is not practicable for a particular amount of waste or other material, section 60(3) of the Act allows for the measuring and recording to be done in another way agreed to in writing by the operator and the chief executive.
An operational policy will help landfill operators who would like to seek an agreement to measure and record waste in an agreed way when it’s not practicable to use a weighbridge. An agreement request will also need to be completed.
There are 2 main circumstances in which operators may apply to measure waste in an ‘agreed way’:
- A one-off amount – a single delivery or movement of waste or other material into or within the waste disposal site
From time to time, waste or other material may be presented that cannot fit over the weighbridge, for example a large aircraft or a large amount of building materials.
In these circumstances, measuring in compliance with the weight measurement criteria (‘deeming’), or an alternative way of measuring where the weight of the waste is known, may be an acceptable agreed way.
- Multiple amounts – more than one delivery or movement of waste or other material within the waste disposal site
In some circumstances, the use of the weighbridge for movements of waste or other material (‘internal movements’) between different areas within the waste disposal site may be impracticable due to site safety, logistical or development approval restrictions. For example, trucks moving a particular type of waste from a resource recovery area to the levyable part of the site may not fit over the weighbridge, or site vehicles cannot legally or safely turn to re-enter the site after travelling outwards over the weighbridge.
In these circumstances, measuring the waste or other material using a Trade Approved Instrument with a Certificate of Verification and data plate displaying an approval number from the National Measurement Institute may be an acceptable agreed way.
Agreements under this circumstance must be temporary, meaning there is an expectation that actions will be taken to address the issue so that the weighbridge can be used, and will be subject to reporting requirements.
More information
- Find more applications and forms to help you meet your waste levy requirements in Queensland.
In this guide:
- Weighbridge requirements and measurement of waste
- Volumetric surveys
- Monthly summary data return
- Monthly detailed data return
- Record keeping
- Resource recovery area (RRA)
- Levy payment (to the state)
- Levy exemptions and discounts