Nine Adelaide councils raise rates because of State Budget’s surprise Solid Waste Levy increase

Nine metropolitan councils have now voted to increase their rates in response to a 40 per cent jump in a rubbish tax — with five more of the remaining eight expected to follow suit.

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Burnside, Prospect and West Torrens councils have joined six other Adelaide councils by increasing their rates higher than planned to cover a rubbish tax hike.

Burnside will increase rates by a further 0.4 per cent to 2.8 per cent, Prospect will go from 2.7 per cent to 3.3 per cent and West Torrens from 2.4 per cent to 2.9 per cent.

Councils across the state have been hit by a 40 per cent hike in the Solid Waste Levy, which was announced without warning after they had completed their budgets.

Onkaparinga, Playford, Salisbury, Charles Sturt, Unley and Tea Tree Gully also have voted to increase their rates higher than planned.

Only three metropolitan councils – Campbelltown, Marion and Holdfast Bay – are expected to absorb the increase by using financial surpluses.

Salisbury mayor Gillian Aldridge with rubbish at a northern refuse transfer facility. Picture Dean Martin

Prospect mayor and Local Government Association national president David O’Loughlin said

his council’s financial planning had been thrown into turmoil.

“After four months of careful budget deliberations, public consultation and subsequent finetuning to achieve a 2.7 per cent average residential rate increase, City of Prospect had little choice but to pass on in full the State Government’s last minute solid waste tax increase,” he said.

Mr O’Loughlin said the “40 per cent bin tax grab” had raised Prospect’s expenses “without consultation and represents a pure cash grab without any justification”.

Prospect would join Salisbury and Charles Sturt in sending out pamphlets with their rates notices explaining why the increase was higher than expected.

“We have had to pass on the bin tax grab in full with an increase of 3.3 per cent, plus growth,” he said.

“We will make the State Government’s actions very clear with each of the 10,000 rates notices we will send out.”

Councillors from Playford and Salisbury united to express their displeasure over the 40 per cent increase in the Solid Waste Levy. Picture: Supplied

Burnside Council estimates the 40 per cent increase to the State Government’s Solid Waste Levy will add an extra $160,000 next financial year and $320,000 the following.

The council voted 7-5 on Tuesday night to increase its rates from 2.4 per cent to 2.8 to fill the void.

Cr Grant Piggott said the council had no other option but to make ratepayers cough up for the government’s unpopular tax hike.

“It has ambushed all the good things in this budget,” Cr Piggott said.

“It just needs to come from the ratepayers.

“We’re faced with an immediate hit. It is quite a chunk of money.

“It is not ideal but it is the appropriate thing to do. Something has got to give.”

Cr Peter Cornish estimated a Big Mac would cost $140 today if it had also increased in price by 2700 per cent, as he calculated the levy had done since 2004.

“I do think this is a prelude from the State Government to attack communities,” he said.

“If you equate that to a Big Mac, a Big Mac would now be costing you $140.

“It’s a huge increase. Somebody actually needs to stand up and say you’ve gone too far here.

“This is not on, you cannot go and dump this on local government. It’s an extreme disappointment.”

Cr Jane Davey said the increase had been thrust on councils in the final “crucial” weeks before budgets are approved.

“We have to pass on the cost to our community. I don’t believe we can compromise our services. We don’t have any choice,” she said.

Mayor Anne Monceaux said councils across the state were “infuriated, appalled” by the “unfair, unjust” decision.

“This is a really dreadful decision by the State Government … it’s appalling,” Ms Monceaux said.

Cr Helga Lemon said it would be “politically unsound” to absorb the cost which she called a blatant “cash grab”.

“We have to pass this on,” she said.

“I don’t believe we have any fat in our budget.

“It’s not our fault. Big Brother has trashed the joint.”

The rate increases so far:

Tea Tree Gully: From 2.7 per cent to 2.9 per cent

Charles Sturt: From 1.7 per cent to 2.25 per cent

Salisbury: From 2.5 per cent to 2.9 per cent

Unley: From 2.1 per cent to 2.25 per cent

Onkaparinga: From 1.6 per cent to 2.25 per cent

Playford: From 2.9 per cent to 3.3 per cent

Prospect: From 2.7 per cent to 3.3 per cent

West Torrens: From 2.4 per cent to 2.9 per cent

Burnside: From 2.4 per cent to 2.8 per cent