Cairns recorded the lowest landfill rates in almost a decade and continued to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in the 2021/22 financial year.
The 2022 State of Environment report was tabled at the Council’s Planning and Environment Committee Meeting today, detailing the condition of the local natural and built environment, pressures on it and Council’s response to those pressures.
The 16th report recorded the first full year of operation for the $16 million Materials Recovery Facility which can handle up to 30,000 tonnes of recycling each year, and last year achieved an 81% recovery rate – a 30% increase on the previous facility.
Despite receiving the most waste on record at 36,239 tonnes in the 2021/22 year, the amount of waste sent to landfill was the lowest since 2013/14.
The improved landfill diversion rates mean 138 truckloads were stopped from taking waste to landfill in the past two reporting years.
Council was also able to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions by a further 7.5% over the past year.
Cairns Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Planning and Environment Committee, Terry James, said the latest report showed a positive progress in how Council managed its environmental footprint.
“Council is focused on more efficient waste and resource recovery services by reducing waste to landfill, maximising resource recovery and growing the regional economy,” he said.
“We view our waste as a valuable resource which can help create new jobs and growth in the smart green economy.
“The latest State of Environment report details Council’s work to protect and enhance our iconic natural environment now and for generations to come.
“Due our location between two World Heritage icons; the Great Barrier Reef, and Wet Tropic Rainforest, Cairns has a unique responsibility when it comes to showcasing their environmental credentials.”
The State of Environment Report draws data from various sources, tracking water and energy consumption, annual average rainfall and temperature, development, waste and recycling.
The reporting period was the first full year with the additional systems, generating over 3.8 gigawatts of electricity and providing nearly 10% of Council’s electricity needs.
Council has signed a deal which will see 80 of its largest facilities source 100% of their electricity from renewables from July next year.
Key highlights of the 2022 State of Environment report include:
Climate
- Average daily air temperatures at the Cairns Aero Station have increased by about 1 °C since records began in 1942. Data shows that 2021/22 had an average annual maximum of 30.5 °C and an average minimum of 22.8 °C, with 12 days over 35 °C.
Water
- Council supplied 25,589 megalitres of water and processed 20,440 megalitres of wastewater in 2021/22, recycling 9% for use in the Botanic Gardens and nearby golf courses.
Biodiversity:
- Queensland Government remnant vegetation surveys show that Cairns has close to 68% of vegetation cover in the LGA, with this figure being close to constant since 2013.
- Council raised 45,657 native seedlings through its nursery and supported 460 volunteers to contribute over 28,000 hours toward maintaining the region’s green spaces through its Green Space Our Place program.
- Council contributed over 6,400 staff hours toward the management of pest plant and animal species.
Built Environment
- The population in Cairns grew by an estimated 2,960 residents in 2021/22 to 172,272. Cairns’ rate of population growth reached 1.75%, its highest since 2012/13.
Transport
- Over 137,000 vehicles are registered in the region, averaging of 1.08 vehicles for every driver. There were 178 electric vehicles (EVs) registered in the region in 2021/22. EVs have been doubling in popularity every year since 2018/19.
- Bus usage has trended down over time, but passenger data shows 2,136,546 trips were taken in 2021/22, a 0.4% increase on last year.
Waste Management
- A total of 102,534 tonnes of waste was received by Council in 2021/22, marking the highest tonnage on record.
- However, in the context of Cairns’ increasing population, this figure equates to 583 kg of waste generated per person, a 2.8% reduction since 2013/14.
- Council’s resource recovery initiatives have contributed to consistent reductions in the amount of waste sent to landfill, with 2021/22 recording 36,239 tonnes, the lowest since at least 2013/14.
Council Operations
- Council’s greenhouse gas emissions were down 7.5% this
year, at 32,672
tonnes
of carbon dioxide equivalents, ending a four-year streak of emissions
increases associated with the development of several new large-scale
facilities. - The generation of nearly 3.8 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity from Council’s various solar PV installations, equivalent to powering 595 homes.
