A COMMUNITY fund set up 23 years ago as part of the approval process for the Ti Tree Bionergy facility to offset impacts on surrounding areas has amassed more than $5.8 million.
Increased volumes of waste taken to the facility during times of flood are believed to be behind an increase in contributions from the waste operators.
The Ti Tree Bioenergy waste disposal facility, located in Willowbank, has been operating since 2002.
A development permit for the facility, issued by the Planning and Environment Court in the same year, includes a condition for contributions for local environmental improvements.
The planning condition requires Ti Tree Bioenergy to make annual payments to Ipswich City Council of $120,000 plus a charge per tonne of waste processed above a specific amount, to address potential social and environmental impacts.
These funds were legally required to be used by Council on projects that delivered community and environmental benefit to offset any impacts from the facility.
The Council announced last week it would step up the process to distribute funds for community and environment projects, introducing the Ti Tree Bioenergy Community Fund which will award grants of up to $15,000 to help deliver eco-improving projects on private land, complementing Council’s work in public spaces.
Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairman Jim Madden said the new arrangements would allocate a portion of the contributions to community funding available to residents.
Under the Ti Tree Bioenergy Fund, the scope was limited to projects delivered by Council, on land managed by Council.
“The Ti Tree Bioenergy Fund and the Ti Tree Community Fund are for projects that offset the perceived or real social or environmental impacts of the Ti Tree Bioenergy Facility at Willowbank,” Cr Madden said.
Eligible applicants can apply for up to $15,000 per project per funding round. Applicants must demonstrate an in-kind contribution of at least 10 per cent of the funded amount.
Cr Madden said Council was finalising funding guidelines for the fund, which would be released this month.
Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen said round one applications would open on March 1 and close on March 31.
Round two applications would open on September 1 and close on September 30.
“This is a competitive grant category, open to eligible individuals, not-for-profit community organisations and businesses,” Cr Madsen said.
Cr Madden said the program was making progress in the delivery of appropriate and valued community and environmental projects.
“From May to September 2025, Council received 28 project proposals,” he said.
“Of the submitted projects, six projects were received from the community via the Shape Your Ipswich Ti Tree Bioenergy Funding page.
“The other 22 were submitted for consideration by Council staff or councillors.”
Of the 28 projects that were submitted, 15 projects were recommended for commencement.
