An independent policy discussion paper has recommended a better targeting of annual waste levies and a new Plastic Reduction Offset Scheme, to improve Australia’s chance of meeting ambitious national recycling targets.
Read moreACOR paper outlines recycling market policy incentives
Earlier this month the Victorian Government announced a $3 billion Business Resilience Package, including a deferral of planned adjustments to the landfill levy.
Read moreVIC landfill levy deferred as part of $3B Business Resilience Package
The National Waste & Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) is calling on state governments to provide waste and landfill levy relief to the sector.
According to NWRIC CEO Rose Read, levy relief is an obvious and necessary measure that can be implemented quickly.
“Specifically, we are asking state governments to waiver landfill levy doubtful debts, put on hold all planned levy increases for at least six months and where appropriate consider waiving current waste and landfill levies for the next three months,” she said.
“We are also asking state and local governments to be more flexible on certain facility license conditions so that social distancing to protect staff can be maintained, and collection time curfews be lifted so that bins can continue to be collected.”
Ms Read said waste and recycling companies are doing everything possible to ensure bins continue to be collected and waste and recycling safely processed during these extreme times.
“With the shutdown of some non-essential services over the next 24 hours Australia-wide, the waste and recycling industry will increase efforts to ensure it can maintain an essential service to the community,” she said.
According to Ms Read, NWRIC members and state affiliates have been actively adopting measures over the past few weeks to protect their staff and maintain services to local communities, businesses and the health sector.
Ms Read recognised that like all businesses, the waste and recycling sector was experiencing disruption.
“The NWRIC acknowledges the substantial support the Commonwealth and State governments have announced so far for businesses,” she said.
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Victoria’s landfill levy increase is set to have an immediate impact on recovery rates, according to Bingo Industries Managing Director Daniel Tartak.
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Victoria’s landfill levy is set to almost double, with the release of the state’s long-awaited circular economy policy Recycling Victoria.
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A landfill levy discount for residuals would reduce stockpiles and reinvigorate recycling, writes Alex Serpo, Secretary of the National Waste and Recycling Industry Council.
Waste Management Review examines some of the reasons why the Queensland Government’s waste levy was pushed back to 1 July 2019 and what it means for the industry going forward.
Mandalay Technologies’ Lacey Webb explains five key factors local government and private sector operators should account for when getting themselves ‘levy ready’ in Queensland.
The Queensland Government has announced it will update its waste policy and introduce a landfill levy, but what policy changes are needed to drive progress? Toli Papadopoulos reports.
The Victorian Government has waived the landfill levy to help Victorians in the south west recover from bushfires.
Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio announced that the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (Victoria EPA) will work with local councils and landfill operators in the Colac-Otway, Corangamite, Moyne and Southern Grampians council areas to apply the exemption.
The waiver applies to the levy component of the gate price.
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The Victorian Government has also announced assistance for the local government areas of Colac-Otway, Corangamite, Moyne and Southern Grampians is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
Anyone who has been affected by the bushfires and suffering personal hardship and distress should call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 to find out about the assistance available.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au and the VicEmergency website at emergency.vic.gov.au/relief
“We’re doing what we can to help those affected by these devastating bushfires,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“We’re helping farmers manage waste from dead livestock and damaged homes, sheds and fencing – so they can focus on getting back on their feet.”