We are introducing a user-pays system for a fairer way to manage landfill waste.
From 1 July 2026, a $5 gate fee will apply when you dispose of landfill waste at Gold Coast Waste and Recycling Centres (WRCs). If your load contains any landfill or construction and demolition waste, the $5 gate fee applies.
Recycling and green organics are still free, but only if they're:
Find out where you can recycle specific materials at Recycle Right.
You'll need to pay the $5 gate fee if your load contains any non-recyclable mixed landfill waste, such as:
The fee also applies if your load contains any construction, demolition or renovation waste from your home, including:
Construction and demolition waste is only accepted at Reedy Creek and Stapylton WRCs.
Please note: Currigee and Tipplers WRCs on South Stradbroke Island will not be introducing the $5 gate fee.
Tap–and–go is available at all sites. Cash and cheques are not accepted.
The Queensland Government charges councils a Waste Disposal Levy for every tonne of waste sent to landfill. Until now, we have covered this cost for residents, but rising waste and landfill expenses mean this isn’t sustainable anymore.
The $5 gate fee helps ensure that the people who use landfill services contribute to the cost of managing them.
Some WRCs are residential only, so load limits apply.
These limits are in place at Currumbin Valley, Helensvale, Jacobs Well, Merrimac, Pimpama and Springbrook WRCs.
Please note: Pimpama WRC only accepts recycling and green organics.
Larger loads are accepted at Reedy Creek, Molendinar and Stapylton.
Oversized loads at these sites are charged at our standard rates.
Funds from gate fees will help:
There are no discounts available.
Nearly half of our residents (46%) visit a WRC just once a year, and around 30% don’t use WRC services at all.
The gate fee helps make sure landfill costs are shared by the people who use the service most – and encourages everyone to reduce waste where they can.
No. Waste and Recycling Centres accept EFTPOS only. Tap–and–go is available at all sites. Cash and cheques are not accepted.
You won't be able to dispose of mixed landfill or construction and demolition waste without paying the required fee. If waste is dumped without payment, your vehicle may be flagged and future access to WRCs could be restricted.
Failing to follow the site's Conditions of Entry may also result in a penalty infringement notice and exclusion from the site.
Our waste facilities will use new technology, including cameras and licence plate recording, supported by trained staff.
Breaches of entry conditions may result in fines or bans for repeat offenders.
The operator may need to see your proof of residency to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. Accepted proof of residency includes your:
Some households that pay a Waste Management Access Charge will get special access to dispose of household waste at no cost, as long as entry conditions are met. Waste access passes will be sent out in mid June.
If your waste comes from business or commercial activities – including work on investment properties or any paid/rewarded job – you'll need to use Reedy Creek or Staplyton WRCs, where weighbridges and commercial fees apply.
Disposing of waste on behalf of someone else? Here’s what you need to know:
For business or commercial waste: You’ll need to go to Reedy Creek or Stapylton Waste & Recycling Centres, where commercial fees apply.
Not–for–profit organisations need to use the Reedy Creek, Molendinar or Stapylton WRCs.
Standard commercial disposal fees apply, unless the organisation has current written approval from the City and is disposing of its own waste (not through a contractor).
We've opted to introduce gate fees to help fund Waste and Recycling Centres instead of increasing rates for everyone. This means:
Voucher systems can be expensive to run and often lead to issues like fraud and voucher trading.
Gate fees are a simpler, fairer and more efficient way to manage costs.
Illegal dumping increased last year even when WRC access was free.
Most Southeast Queensland councils have had landfill gate fees for years, with no evidence of long-term increases in illegal dumping.
We're prepared for a possible short-term increase and will closely monitor the situation and respond as needed.