Trade Waste Permit pricing change

From 1 July 2023, we introduced a tiered pricing structure for all Category 1 Trade Waste Permits.

The new structure is more closely aligned with the impact a business's trade waste has on the sewerage system and the cost of treating it.


We are helping our customers move to the new pricing structure with a range of support options, including:

  • Fees discounted in year one
  • Time to prepare: the first discounted permit fees will arrive in October 2023
  • Spread the costs: quarterly permit fees allow you to split your payments across the year
  • Payment plans and direct debit support available

If something doesn't look right, please use our online treatment tier calculator to get an indication of your treatment tier and to request a review of your allocated tier.

If you'd like to talk to the project team, please ask a question below, email us at tradewaste@unitywater.com or call our Customer Service team on 1300 086 489.

From 1 July 2023, we introduced a tiered pricing structure for all Category 1 Trade Waste Permits.

The new structure is more closely aligned with the impact a business's trade waste has on the sewerage system and the cost of treating it.


We are helping our customers move to the new pricing structure with a range of support options, including:

  • Fees discounted in year one
  • Time to prepare: the first discounted permit fees will arrive in October 2023
  • Spread the costs: quarterly permit fees allow you to split your payments across the year
  • Payment plans and direct debit support available

If something doesn't look right, please use our online treatment tier calculator to get an indication of your treatment tier and to request a review of your allocated tier.

If you'd like to talk to the project team, please ask a question below, email us at tradewaste@unitywater.com or call our Customer Service team on 1300 086 489.

Ask us a question about this change

This is a big change for businesses and we understand you may have questions.

Ask your question below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

You need to be signed in to add your question.

  • Why does Unity Water assume that cafes etc pour used cooking oil down the sink to go through the grease trap ? All the cafes I’m aware of use a waste oil collection drum where the used oil is collected by contractors on a regular basis .

    Don asked 8 months ago

    Hi Don 

    The new pricing structure introduces Treatment Tiers that are allocated to businesses based on their type of business, the waste generated and the likely impact on the wastewater network and environment. The higher the trade waste impact, the more it costs to treat and therefore the higher the Treatment Tier. Unitywater is aware that many businesses store used oil for collection and removal off site and this has been taken into account when developing the Treatment Tiers.

    While your business may have a pre-treatment device (such as a grease arrestor, neutralising trap, dilution tanks, oil and water separators and lint screens) in place, these devices only capture solid or partially treat and prevent trade waste from entering the sewer system. They do not stop dissolved oils, fats, chemicals and other contaminants still passing through and posing a serious risk to the sewerage system and treatment plants. This requires further treatment, such as adding chemicals into the sewer to prevent odour and corrosion, and additional cleaning of the pipes to prevent blockages and overflows.

    If you have any questions about a specific business, you can contact our trade waste team by emailing tradewaste@unitywater.com 

    Kind regards

    Lisa

  • Much like the question below from Ward, I'd like to know how you came up with these ridiculous price increases? We are also assessed as low, (or to my knowledge should be very low) but I have put in a review for this. I would like a breakdown on how you guys have come up with these prices? So the very high volume people have been only paying $350 all these years, the same as us very low users, and now we all get hit with massive price rises? Should the low still be paying the $350? How do you justify over 200% increase? I want figures on how this is worked out please. Not happy considering we have always had our own separator system and pay for regular cleans and pump outs just for soapy wash water now to be hit with more costs!

    Mic asked over 1 year ago

    Hi Mic,

    Thank you for contacting us with your question about our trade waste pricing review, and for raising a request to review your treatment tier. It's important that if our assessment didn't look quite right, we have the chance to review your tier.

    As you note, the existing one-size-fits-all trade waste pricing structure does not reflect the diverse types of business in our region, the varying levels of impact that their waste has on our network or the true cost of additional trade waste treatment processes that are required to keep the wastewater system operating safely and efficiently. The new pricing structure aims to create an equitable set of fees where businesses that generate trade waste contribute to the actual costs of treating it, so that these costs are not shared across our entire customer base. 

    The updated pricing brings Unitywater into line with standard industry practice and is consistent with pricing structures for other South East Queensland utilities.

    While your business may have a pre-treatment device (such as a grease arrestor, neutralising trap, dilution tanks, oil and water separators and lint screens) in place, these devices only capture solid or partially treat and prevent trade waste from entering the sewer system. They do not stop dissolved oils, fats, chemicals and other contaminants still passing through and posing a serious risk to the sewerage system and treatment plants. As part of our review of your treatment tier, our Trade Waste Officers can review your service schedule to make sure you aren't exceeding the requirements of your unique business.

    If you would like to discuss your business further, please email tradewaste@unitywater.com and our Trade Waste Officers can reach out to you.

    Kind regards

    Lisa 

  • In November your fact sheet indicated that you are moving from a one size fits all to align with the business type etc. So we are assessed as Low yet the price increase after 2 years will be 222%. There was no mention of outrageous price increases in the November fact sheet, just a different methodology to charging. So why the big secret and how do you justify such a large increase; how can we hold you accountable or is this just monopolistic behavour.

    Ward asked over 1 year ago

    Good morning Ward,

    Thank you for your question. 

    I'd be happy to give you a call so I can talk through the price review with you, please email community@unitywater.com or call us on 07 5353 5530 and ask for me (Simone) if you would like to arrange this.

    In the meantime, I understand your concerns regarding the price increase and I know that some businesses will find it tough. We are to help, and will support our customers where we can.

    When we communicated the trade waste price review in November, the prices were not confirmed. We wanted to let customers know that the methodology was changing for the way we charge, and that prices would increase ahead of the pricing being announced last week.

    With regards to the price increase, the price a customer pays and the Treatment Tier they're allocated is determined by the level of impact that a businesses waste has on our wastewater network and the cost of additional trade waste treatment processes.

    We understand that some customers will want to query there Treatment Tier, we have a process in place that allows a customer to request a review. If you would like your Treatment Tier reviewing please visit our     online Treatment Tier Calculator and Review Form or you can call us on the number above.

    I hope we get the chance to discuss this further - I am here to help and would welcome a chat.

    Kind regards,

    Simone

Page last updated: 18 Apr 2024, 11:47 AM