The financial and environmental burden of illegal tyre dumping and stockpiling is set to come under renewed scrutiny as a federal parliamentary inquiry seeks direct input from local governments across Australia.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science will hold a series of public hearings in Canberra as part of its inquiry into the current state of the Australian tyre industry and its future within a circular economy framework.
The hearings will focus on the growing challenges associated with managing end-of-life tyres, including the costs imposed on councils and local communities when tyres are illegally dumped or improperly stored.
Committee Chair Rob Mitchell MP said local governments play a critical role not only in waste management but also as users of recycled tyre products, including crumb rubber used in roads and playground surfaces.
“Throughout the inquiry, the Committee has heard about the disproportionate financial, environmental and health impacts for local governments and communities caused by improper storage, stockpiling and illegal dumping of end-of-life tyres,” Mitchell said.
The first roundtable hearing, involving local governments from across New South Wales, was scheduled for May 27, with a second session bringing together councils from Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia on June 3. The committee hopes the discussions will provide valuable insights into the practical challenges councils face when dealing with waste tyres and identify opportunities to improve tyre recycling and circularity at a community level.
The inquiry forms part of a broader examination of the tyre industry’s role in Australia’s transition to a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled rather than sent to landfill.
For the automotive aftermarket, the inquiry could have implications for tyre retailers, recyclers and businesses involved in the collection and processing of used tyres. Increased focus on tyre stewardship, recycling infrastructure and enforcement against illegal dumping may create new opportunities while also highlighting areas where industry collaboration is needed.
Public hearings will be held at Parliament House in Canberra and broadcast live through the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal, allowing industry stakeholders and community members to follow proceedings. Further information, including submissions and the inquiry’s terms of reference, is available through the committee’s inquiry webpage.