The Gold Coast City Council is preparing to introduce a $5 gate fee for residents disposing of general household waste at local tips, following support for the measure in a closed-door budget meeting.
The proposal, brought forward by the Mayor and seconded by hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer, gained majority backing from councillors. It recommends adopting a user-pays system for waste disposal, with the $5 fee forming part of the 2025–26 budget to be considered for final approval on 6 June.
The fee would apply only to general waste from households. Green waste and recycling will remain free under the current plan.
According to council officers, the user-pays approach is intended to align with the State’s waste levy and assist the City in recovering associated costs. The fee has been set at a “ relatively low level “ in an effort to maintain usage and avoid a significant drop in waste volumes, which could impact the City’s ability to meet levy obligations.
Currently, other South East Queensland councils charge higher tip fees. Brisbane City has gate charges of $17.40 for general waste and $14.60 for green waste, while fees in the Sunshine Coast and Ipswich range from $15 to $18.
While councillors have previously avoided introducing gate fees, citing concerns about community backlash and illegal dumping, this year’s discussions indicate a change in approach. The fee has been described as a compromise that balances cost recovery with the risk of reduced usage or unintended consequences.
Council documentation referenced during the meeting confirms that “Option 1” in the recommended pricing strategies was supported. Further details on the full waste management strategy and long-term impacts of the fee are expected to be included in the finalised budget 25-26 .
