Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
Queensland Budget 2026-27 · Crisafulli Government
As at budget day (2026-06-23)
Across budgets
Tracked across 6 budgets (2021-22 to 2026-27).
Key service areas
Budget initiatives
$330.5 million over five years for reef water-quality and conservation, improving water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef by reducing agricultural and land run-off.
$330.5 million over five years improves water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef and reduces farm run-off, supporting Reef-dependent tourism jobs.
General Government operating, $330.5M over 5 years across three departments (Environment $262.0M, Primary Industries $60.7M, Natural Resources $7.8M, partly met internally). 2026-27 figure shown is the Environment department's expense component.
$139 million over four years to expand national parks and protected areas, invest in visitor infrastructure and ecotourism, and deliver the next stage of the Wangetti Trail.
Expands national parks and protected areas and unlocks new ecotourism experiences, part of a plan for 45 new ecotourism experiences by 2045.
BP2 p.15 states $139 million over four years; this is authoritative. The BP4 components sum to ~$139.1M: $20.7M operating over 3 years (plus $7.9M p.a. ongoing) and $118.4M capital over 4 years (plus $26.1M p.a. ongoing). The displayed 2026-27 figure ($54.031M) is the capital component (BP4 p.69).
$267.6 million over five years to support waste reduction and recycling, including upfront annual payments to councils and the Waste Reduction and Recycling Activation Fund, alongside changes to the waste disposal levy.
Invests in recycling and resource recovery, with councils paid upfront and the waste levy adjusted to better reflect rural and regional circumstances.
General Government operating, $267.6M over 5 years (with reprofiling). Includes $214M in council payments and $53.6M for the Waste Reduction and Recycling Activation Fund. A linked revenue measure raises an estimated $569.7M over four years from the levy.
$22 million over four years to deliver science and innovation programs, partnerships and improved connectivity across Queensland's research ecosystem.
Strengthens Queensland's science and innovation ecosystem through programs, partnerships and improved research connectivity.
General Government operating, $22M over 4 years plus $5.5M per annum ongoing
Policy changes following a review of Queensland's waste disposal levy expected to generate an additional $569.7 million over four years, with rezoning to better reflect rural and regional circumstances.
Adjusts the waste disposal levy, with rezoning to better reflect rural and regional waste management, funding recycling and resource recovery programs.
Revenue measure; additional revenue of $569.7M over four years from the waste disposal levy. Continues the existing waste levy trajectory.
Forward estimates
Year-by-year allocations for 5 measures with published forward profiles.
| Measure | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 | 2029-30 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland Reef and Catchment Water Quality Program | — | $22.2M | $38.4M | $40.4M | $33.1M | $134.0M |
| Growing World Class Protected Areas and Ecotourism | — | $54.0M | $43.0M | $9.6M | $11.8M | $118.4M |
| Queensland Waste Strategy | $76.5M | $217.8M | -$125.9M | $52.9M | $46.3M | $267.6M |
| Investment in Science and Innovation | — | $5.5M | $5.5M | $5.5M | $5.5M | $22.0M |
| Waste Disposal Levy Changes | — | $51.1M | $127.7M | $175.3M | $215.6M | $569.7M |
| Total | $76.5M | $350.6M | $88.7M | $283.7M | $312.2M | $1.11B |
Performance metrics
Service standards from the Service Delivery Statement. Targets and actuals as published.
| Metric | Prior target | Actual | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| Percentage of decisions relating to environmental authorities made within statutory timeframes | 100% | 99.7% | 100% |
| Percentage of environmental enforcement notices issued by the administering authority complied with by operators | 80% | 85% | 80% |
| Annual percentage reduction in the amount of waste disposed to leviable landfills in Queensland's waste levy zone | ≥2.2% | 6.72% | ≥2.2% |
| Percentage of Queensland's land area that is protected | 8.71% | 8.73% | 8.80% |
| Percentage of user experience ratings of 4 stars or higher received for key Queensland protected area locations | 90% | 93% | 90% |
| Median time taken to resolve declared problem crocodiles | ≤7 days | 1 day | ≤7 days |
| Ratio of tourism industry investment leveraged through co-investment grant funding programs | $1:$2 | $1:$2.20 | $1:$2 |
| Percentage of customers from government agencies satisfied with the natural resource and environmental science services and information provided | ≥90% | 99% | ≥90% |
| Ratio of investment leveraged as a result of Queensland Government innovation funding invested | $1:$1.25 | $1:$1.36 | $1:$1.25 |
Source: Service Delivery Statement. Prior target and actual are for 2024-25; target is for 2025-26.
Source document
Service Delivery Statement — Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (PDF)Last updated: 2026-06-24. Factual information from published budget documents.