THE State Government’s decision to lift a rubbish tax by a whopping 40pc is continuing to cause a stink among regional councils.
Grant District Council is the latest local government body to lambaste the move to increase the solid waste levy.
This hike will be charged on every tonne of rubbish dumped at landfills across the region.
This means it will affect every council as well as potentially businesses and ratepayers.
The local government body will write to Environment Minister David Speirs with the letter also to be forwarded to Premier Steven Marshall.
At its meeting this week, Cr Shirley Little accused the government of having double standards given it increased this charge at the same time it was pushing for rate-capping.
She called on the government to justify the increase, which was dumped on councils without warning in the state budget.
“I think this is very concerning, which is the reason for putting the notice of motion up,” the Tarpeena based councillor said.
“I do not know what the outcome will be, but I am concerned about the amount of money I believe is being held by the State Government in a green fund, which was known before as Zero Waste.”
The veteran councillor said it appeared the government’s actions were a cash-grab exercise.
“I think they are accumulating more money and not looking at a serious way to helping solve the problem,” Cr Little said.
Lambasting the State Government over the move, Cr Barry Kuhl said he was “very disappointed” with the decision.
“To read they are spending this money on carting sand to Adelaide beaches … we have coastal protection problems down here and they will not give us any money to repair them,” Cr Kuhl said.
“The goose and the gander does not apply to this government any better than the previous Labor Government.”
Grant District Council will also write to Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell and push for the issue to be taken up by the region’s local government leadership.
Council acting chief executive officer Jane Fetherstonhaugh said the cost hike would lead to an increase in rates.
“However we will look at other cost saving measures to absorb the solid waste levy increase, which is estimated to be between $20,000 and $30,000,” Ms Fetherstonhaugh said.
The levy has already jumped by $10,000 to $110 and will then rise by $30 next January to $140 per tonne of solid waste rubbish.
But Mr Speirs has stood by his government’s price hike.
“We know that landfill is one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions that are incredibly harmful to our climate,” Mr Speirs said.
“We need to send a strong message that more needs to be done to reduce these damaging emissions and that councils need to have the tools to divert more for resource recovery and continue moving South Australia towards a truly circular
economy.
“These announcements will lead to less waste sent to landfill, a reduction in emissions and will also provide vital stimulus to our world-leading waste management and resource recovery sector, leading to potentially more than 200 jobs here in South Australia.”
He said the waste management and resource recovery industry was a major player in South Australia’s economy with around 4800 people employed.
“We want this number to grow,” Mr Speirs said.
“For every 10,000 tonnes of waste recycled there are 9.2 full time jobs created compared to 2.8 jobs when sent to landfill.
“As it stands as much as 40pc of the material in our household waste bins sent to landfill is food and organic waste which could be diverted through the organics bin.
“China’s National Sword Policy has provided the industry with a challenge but this funding package on top of support already provided in last year’s State Budget will help modernise and transition our resource recovery sector.”
