The mayor of Campbelltown has launched a withering attack on the state government’s “rubbish’’ tax and an eight percent hike in the middle of a full blown cost of living crisis.
Cr George Greiss says Macquarie Street already rakes in an estimated $800 million from its waste levy.
A tax that Cr Greiss says neither funds waste collection nor rubbish disposal.
“A mere 10 percent of these funds are allocated toward waste management and recycling education initiatives,’’ he told council at its December meeting when he won support for his proposal to join other mayors in South Western Sydney to say no to the NSW Government tax grab.
“The waste levy, or rubbish tax, is supposed to promote waste reduction, not generate revenue,’’ Cr Greiss said in his mayoral minute.
He also revealed that the levy for Campbelltown City Council’s ratepayers represents an annual burden of $3.2 million.
“Regrettably, the government has chosen not to give these resources to community-oriented waste projects and increased the levy by 7.7 percent on July 1,’’ Cr Greiss said.
He also pointed out that this type of taxation places a disproportionate burden on households already facing financial difficulties.
“These households tend to allocate more of their income towards purchasing essential goods or services,’’ he said.
“Due to the escalating cost of living crisis, they are compelled to purchase perishable and short-lived items, resulting in increased waste disposal.
“We must advocate for the funds collected by the NSW Government rubbish tax (Section 88 Levy) from Campbelltown and Western Sydney to be returned to the respective councils.
“This will help alleviate the burden of waste levies on our residents, especially during the escalating cost of living crisis.
“I am also calling on the government to allocate resources towards educational campaigns aimed at waste reduction.’’
