Industry News- Connections March Newsletter 2025

Western Australian government provides boost for E-waste recycling

The Western Australian government has allocated $5.4 million to increase e-waste storage, collection, recycling and processing as part of the second round of its E-waste Infrastructure Grants Program. Grants were awarded to infrastructure projects that support the increasing recycling capability and capacity throughout the State. Details of the successful projects can be found at:

E-waste recycling receives more than $5 million funding boost | Western Australian Government

Western Australia E-waste transportation support scheme for regional councils

In support of the  statewide ban on e-waste disposal to landfill, the Western Australian Government, through The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, is administering $766,000 in grant funding to support regional and remote local governments (LGAs) in the transition period following implementation of the ban. The E-waste Regional Transportation Support Scheme (ERTSS) will support the ban by providing a rebate to regional and remote LGAs towards the cost of e-waste transportation for recycling.

Applications for the ERTSS opened on Monday 13 January 2025. More details can be found at Regional and remote locations to get support with e-waste transport costs

Lead-Educate-Assist-Promote (LEAP) Grants opened in South Australia

The Department of Green Industries in South Australia has opened its LEAP Grants program to support industry sectors, business groups and supply chains to drive a more resource efficient, sustainable and circular economy. Funding of up to $100,000 is available for projects that focus on circular and sustainable business practices. Full details can be found at: Lead-Educate-Assist-Promote (LEAP) Grants

Northern Territory Government opens Sustainable Business Solutions Grant Program

Grants of up to $20,000 are now available to businesses and organisations in the Northern Territory to reduce waste. The Sustainable Business Solutions (SuBS) Grant Program provides funding to businesses to buy equipment or technology that can:

• avoid or prevent waste from being generated on site
• reuse waste on site or by another business
• improve source separation and facilitate waste recycling.

Full details on the funding program are available at: Sustainable Business Solutions Grant Program | NT.GOV.AU

Three-point plan to fight battery-related fires in Queensland

The Queensland government has announced funding for a three-point plan to tackle the growing number of battery-related fires that continue to pose a threat to the community, particularly to the waste and recycling sector. The $2 million initiative will:

• expand battery collection points
• enhance fire risk management; and
• raise public awareness

More information is available at Don’t bin your batteries | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government

Update on assurance of climate disclosures in Australia

The Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) has approved two new standards that address the assurance of climate disclosures in Australia. These standards are the:

• General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements (ASSA 5000); and
• Timeline for Audits and Reviews of Information in Sustainability Reports (ASSA 5010).

The final versions of ASSA 5000 and ASSA 5010 will be published on the AUASB website (www.auasb.gov.au).