NEWSFLASH!!  This is a No Incinerator for Scenic Rim call to action!

This is a No Incinerator for Scenic Rim call to action!

This update is of High Importance and full of information requiring your urgent attention!

Two separate but equally important consultation periods are now open for a very short few days that relate to and will influence decisions on the BERC toxic incinerator proposal.

We recommend that you read the following information, then send in a submission on each one, and encourage every family member, friend and colleague to also send their submissions as a priority and asap!

It’s important to make it your own by putting in an opening and closing personal paragraph and heading.

#1:   Re classification of toxic incinerator bottom ash:  Submission Deadline: 5pm, 31 August 2026 
Queensland's Department of Environment is currently consulting on a Draft End of Waste Code (EOWC010004246) that would legally reclassify incinerator ash as a 'resource' rather than waste. Submissions are encouraged as part of the consultation process and are due by 5pm 31 August 2026, just a few days away!

We’ve put together information on our blog here, with links to sample letters to make it a quicker process due to the short timeframe and with guidance on how to make a ‘properly made submission’ and to personalise your letter to have it counted.

Incinerator bottom ash is toxic waste and classifying it as a resource means it can then be used in construction, roads and industry, leading to potential leaching into soil and waterways. Here’s a couple of overseas examples:

• In a landmark UK case over 2,000 tonnes of IBAA used on public roads and allotments was found to contain dangerously high levels of heavy metals and dioxins forcing costly soil excavation and triggering widespread public health investigations.
• In Switzerland, the use of IBAA in road construction led to severe chemical reactions, where aluminium in the ash reacted to moisture to produce hydrogen gas, causing roads to buckle, crack and accelerate toxic run-off.

#2: Re SEQCoM ACCC Draft Determination: Submission Deadline: 4 September 2026
The ACCC have issued a Draft Determination re the SEQCoM (South East Qld Council of Mayors Pty Ltd) application to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle to aggregate and acquire the councils’ residual waste, enter into waste supply agreements (35 year contracts) and procure the development of up to three regional waste facilities within SEQ (potentially including Cleanaway’s BERC).

Good news! The ACCC has proposed NOT to grant authorisation and invites submissions in relation to this draft determination, by 4 September 2026, before making its final decision. You can read their draft determination here.  

It’s a narrow window of time to make a submission, just over a week, but it’s vital to assist our campaign, and to encourage friends and family to take a few minutes to write a letter in support of this draft decision. The more the merrier! Our sample submissions are available here. 

Please send your submission asap using the ACCC submissions webform.

For short submissions, you can provide a free text submission of up to 2,000 characters (a few paragraphs) for publication on the public register, or for longer submissions, please upload your submission in a document.

It will only take about 5 or 10 minutes. Your name will appear on the public register, your email and phone won't.

If you wish to delve deeper, and see what our Scenic Rim Regional Council have submitted in support of the application, and what other councils, industry, community and environmental groups submitted to influence the ACCC decision you can read the entire application history on the ACCC website here.

Thank you the time and effort you put into writing these two individual submissions and sending them in on time. Remember ... every member of your household can send one ...

People power CAN move mountains!!

Other campaign news:

Date Claimer : Canungra - 17 September 2026
We have been invited to present an information evening at the Canungra Bowls Club at 6pm on Thursday 17 September. This will be a community event in collaboration with the Canungra Chamber of Commerce.

Upcoming Rally
Dates are being finalised for a public rally to be held in Beaudesert including presenting our petition to Council. 

Get cracking on preparing your No Incinerator placards, signs, banners and slogans now! Tell friends and family and let’s gather with goodwill to support and protect our beautiful Scenic Rim, its environment, agriculture, tourism, economy, and the health and lifestyle of its residents.

Letterbox Drops
If you’re interested in being part of our letterbox drop campaign, please contact Nicole at nicolethompsongc@gmail.com for more information.

That’s it for now but stay tuned for our next update for further dates and information to Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic!

Thank you from the

Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic
No Incinerator for Scenic Rim Campaign Team
No Incinerator for the Scenic Rim blog
No Incinerator for Scenic Rim! Facebook Group
No Incinerator for Scenic Rim! Linktree