The Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) has hit out at the State Government’s ‘hidden’ Solid Waste Levy increase, describing it as a shameless grab for revenue.

 

"This Budget measure is not about the environment, it's not about families, it's purely about revenue raising," LGA President Kym McHugh said.

 

Mayor McHugh said that the rise in the levy would see almost $20 per household in Council rates taken by the State Government.

 

Mayor McHugh said the LGA had had no confirmation of the actual increase in the levy rate but working from Budget papers was estimating it would rise from the current $35 a tonne in the metropolitan area to $42 a tonne, and from $17.50 a tonne in country areas to $21 a tonne.

 

"The fact that this announcement has been made after most metropolitan and some Councils have finalised consultation with communities about their budgets will provide an additional challenge to Councils," Mayor McHugh said.

 

"There is no justification for this increase. Councils and their communities are national leaders in recycling initiatives which have markedly reduced domestic waste to landfill and all sorts of waste management inititaives are already in play.