more on the Waste Levy

Within the first 100 days of the New Newman Qld State Government, the new Environment Minister – Andrew Powell will repeal the former Government’s Waste Levy. While this has not happened the cancellation of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Efficienct (WARE) fund and the Sustainable Future (SF) Fund has been announced.

The previous Government only recently introduced a Waste Levy on 1 December 2011.

The question is will the new Queensland Government completely eliminate the waste levy or will it be replaced with another. Once the new Treasurer looks at the revenue generated from the levy there will be temptation to keep this money stream flowing. Perhaps there may be a new levy covering all wastes? If the levy is totally scrapped then large flows of waste from NSW will head north. With a potential gate fee difference of around $95/t (the Sydney levy rate) and $42.40/t at the border, one way shipping to SE Queensland will commence with speed. Perhaps a levy in SE Queensland is also on cards?

It remains to be seen if the Qld LNP Government will still provide funding for programs that help establish better waste avoidance, resource recovery practices & overall waste management initiatives if a new levy is introduced.