The South Australian EPA (EPA SA) is allowing communities affected by the recent stormy weather to dispose of the resulting waste for free.
Heavy rain and strong winds led to flooding in late September brought down trees and caused property damage across the state, swiftly following previous destructive storm activity two weeks prior.
Announcing the waste levy waiver on 7 October, EPA SA Director Strategy and Business Roslyn Agate said the severe weather event generated a significant amount of waste, including trees, building materials and metals, that will need to be taken to waste depots.
“The State Government has offered to waive the waste levy to assist communities with the cost of waste disposal,” she said.
Organic waste can be received as green waste and will also be exempt from a levy. Sandbags will be accepted at clean fill rates with no levy when taken to a waste depot for disposal.
Residents who registered their names at the recovery centres that were set up within the 18 council areas where most damage was caused during the storm period were issued with a “Temporary Incident Card”, which allows them to take up the waste levy offer.
EPA SA will administer the waste levy exemption under this temporary arrangement. This exemption will not apply to the regular gate fee charged by a waste depot.
“This gesture recognises the distress experienced by affected communities and reflects efforts to ensure that landholders are aware of the assistance being offered to them,” Ms Agate added. “The EPA has contacted the councils most-affected by the recent severe weather who will provide assistance”.