The levy will create a much-needed source of funding to develop the waste and recycling industry, including in regional Queensland.

The Palaszczuk Government has made a commitment that the waste levy will have no direct impact on households.

The state government has also provided Mount Isa City Council with over $932,000 in an advance payment to ensure that happens.

In addition, Mount Isa City Council has received a $280,000 grant from the State Government to upgrade waste infrastructure at the Camooweal and Mount Isa landfill sites.

We are also providing $6 million to assist regional councils and businesses with recycling transport costs.

All of this is evidence of our strong commitment to support local councils and communities with the introduction of the levy.

If anyone has any questions about the Waste Levy I encourage them to call 13 QGOV (13 7468) or visit www.qld.gov.au/waste-disposal-levy

Leeanne Enoch MP

Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef,

Minister for Science, Minister for the Arts

I would just like to reply to our Deputy's Mayor Phil Barwick's Letter to the Editor on his "Travel Allegations are False", (Letters June 29).

Cr Barwick, I have always led with facts and questions and steered away from making editorials.

I have been more than forthcoming to put my name and face to anything I have put forward and I have no problem in turning up to a council meeting and looking you in the eye to ask the tough questions.

There are no false statements.

I have pointed out that prior to this council getting in, travel was consistently around the $15,000 per financial year for the Mount Isa City Council.

Our current council have increased travel spend by 500 percent, approximately $83,000 the first year and then approximately $94,000 in their second year.

These are all facts.

Our current Mayor has spent more money on travel per year than any Mayor in the history of Mount Isa.

That's also a fact.

I have also looked at all of the grants and funding that have come in during this current council's term of office and I cannot match up any funding to any of the council's travel.

It would be greatly appreciated Cr Barwick if you could point out what travel enabled the council to receive which funding.

Asking the tough questions and challenging the status quo is the democratic right of all residents.

Please don't ever think I don't have the courage or the integrity to put any issue I have forward to this council.

Rates have now increased by another 2.9 percent, that's nearly 18 percent since 2016 election.

This council has shown poor governance, a complete lack of transparency, little to no community engagement and have made decisions that have put a huge strain on residents and businesses both emotionally and financially.

What I would like to see going forward, is a council that spends less and passes on the savings to the Mount Isa community.

Danielle Slade,

Mount Isa