At the Table: January & February 2026

WMRR’s meetings with Minister Watt’s office and DCCEEW indicate that packaging reform will likely proceed as part of broader legislative reform rather than as a standalone measure. Reform of the RaWR Act remains a priority for 2026, with indications that Minister Watt will be looking at reform in the near term now that the EPBC reform has been completed.
The Environment Ministers Meeting has been scheduled for end of March 2026, with an update on progress of the Battery Stewardship Regulations and Solar Panels stewardship being on the agenda.
DCCEEW advised on 3 March 2026 that they have now engaged a consultant to undertake targeted consultation on the design for kerbside recyclability that was exhibited a year ago…..

From 1 July 2026, every consignment of paper and cardboard exported must not exceed 5% total contamination by weight.
Plastic export specifications are currently under review in an attempt to develop further standards to streamline the current processing timeframes– with the federal government engaging a consultant to lead discussions. However, the larger issue is the viability of remanufactured plastic facilities in Australia given weak local market demand.
DCCEEW held a webinar on 25 February 2026 providing information of exports and key obligations to license holders.

NSW Product Lifecycle Regulations 2026 establishes a mandatory product stewardship scheme for certain commonly used batteries in NSW including AAA, AA, C, D, 9V and 6V lantern batteries, button and button cell batteries, removable rechargeable batteries ≤ 5kg, e-micromobility batteries e-bikes, scooters etc.) and portable power banks ≤ 5kg. The scheme is scheduled to commence on Thursday 1 October 2026. WMRR understands that NSW EPA has engaged Deloitte’s to assist with the process for procuring the NSW Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), which will go to market shortly.
SA are continuing to discuss lithium-ion battery fires and stewardship reform, however the state is now in caretaker, with the election on Saturday 21 March 2026. Victoria is still advising legislation in 2027.
QLD, Tasmania and WA remain regulatory outliers at this stage with no mention of progress towards regulation.

The Federal Government announced a $24.7m national solar recycling pilot and has issued an RFI closing early March 2026. There are industry concerns that funding pilots without mandated sustainable design risks repeating end-of-life-‘collection only’ models.
There is a federal government lower house inquiry into solar panel reuse and recycling closing Monday 23 March 2026.

The revised Landfill Gas ACCU Method was released in December 2025, with baselines reset to encourage regional landfill participation and updated calculations which should improve outcomes for operators.
Industry roundtables have commenced regarding the Safeguard Mechanism Review and landfill impacts. Indications from government are that there is no intention to remove landfills from the mechanism.

In NSW, the parliamentary inquiry commenced hearings in December 2025 with new dates for hearings in April and May 2026 for Parkes, Tomago and Sydney.
Cleanaway have joined the Parkes Consortium and understood to be withdrawing their plans for Wallerawang.
In Victoria, the parliamentary inquiry is open, with submissions closing on Friday 27 March 2026. Recycling Victoria presented on the Technically, Environmentally and Economically Practical Test (TEEP) to the WMRR EfW Working Group in February 2026.
In Queensland, the ARRC (Gold Coast) released an international Open Expression of Interest (EOI) on 17 February 2026 for experienced partners to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the new residual waste-to-energy facility at Stapylton. The EOI closes Monday 30 March 2026.
In WA, the East Rockingham project has recommenced construction.

Legislative consolidation bill in December 2025 confirmed that Recycling Victoria to be absorbed into EPA by 30 June 2026. Questions remain as to what functions and staff will be transferred, and how EPA will not act as both regulator and market agency. WMRR CEO and President met with the CEO, Ms Joss Crawford, Chair and Deputy Chair of the EPA in February 2026, to discuss these changes, which are still underway and remain under development.

The Queensland Waste Strategy Review is still pending release following consultation in mid-2025. Infrastructure planning and PFAS guidance on safe and acceptable levels for land applied resource recovered organics remain priority issues. The Government’s response to the CRS inquiry has been delayed until 16 April 2026, and we understand levy considerations are part of the Queensland Budget process.
WA is also waiting on the Waste Strategy review, which closed for consultation in December 2025. WMRR maintains emphasis on levy reform, market development and infrastructure investment. A meeting was held in February 2026 with the Parliamentary Secretary (who has been delegated waste issues by the Minister), where we discussed infrastructure investment certainty, levy and link to levy hypothecation. WMRR is also pushing for the Resource Recovery Framework (rebranded from Recovered Materials Framework) to be a mandatory, rather than voluntary system and accelerated given the ongoing challenge we are facing with product standards and certainty in WA.
SA Waste Strategy 2025–2030 was released in December 2025, without much change from the draft. WMRR understands that a draft circular infrastructure plan will be released for consultation in mid-2026.
Tasmania is also in the process of finalising their Strategy following workshops at the end of 2025, this is currently with the WaRR Board.

There has yet to be any movement on levy settings, which are expected to be reviewed this year for rollout in the 2027 financial year.
Chemical Control Orders (PFAS) consultation closed in February and targeted consultation on the amendment of legacy landfill for public use is underway.

Waste levy reaching Stage 3 this year.
Single Use Plastics, organics and batteries identified as priority policy areas for 2026.

WMRR met with Minster Hood in February 2026 and we have issued our election priorities for upcoming election.