Premier announces waste levy waiver to help with flooding clean-up

The Tasmanian government has announced further relief for those affected by last week’s flooding.

Member for Lyons Guy Barnett, Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis and Premier Jeremy Rockliff inspect flood damage at New Norfolk Caravan Park on Monday, September 9, 2024.

The state government has announced further relief for those affected by last week’s flooding.

Visiting New Norfolk on Monday, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said waste levies would be waived for those cleaning up their properties after the statewide weather event.

Mr Rockliff paid tribute to the emergency services paid staff and volunteers and thanked the federal government for its support for the state.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

“Over the course of the last week or more, it’s been very tough,” he said.

“It’s been very tough for people out there in extreme conditions, supporting the community and in many respects, willing to save lives and putting their own lives on the line in those extreme conditions.

“We’re well and truly into the recovery stage, while it is still raining, and the wind is still blowing.

“We are in that recovery stage now assessing the damage of infrastructure, whether it be here at the local caravan park, whether it be individual homes with roofs removed, whether it be key road and bridge infrastructure, those asset assessments are taking place right now.”

Mr Rockliff said the waste levy waiver would make it easier on those that have been impacted by the extreme weather.

“That waste levy removal will continue until the 30th of November this year and going into the local tip or waste transfer station with goods whether that be organics, whether that be house debris, shed debris, tree debris, can be taken free of charge for disposal.

Member for Lyons Guy Barnett, Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis and Premier Jeremy Rockliff inspect flood damage at New Norfolk Caravan Park on Monday, September 9, 2024.

Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said it had been “a huge week in the valley”.

“We’ve been very well supported by the state. I’ve had contact with the Premier and with our local member, asking what we need and responding to those requests,” she said.

“We’re very, very happy to welcome the announcement about the waste levy being lifted until the end of November and those grants as well for community members who have been affected.

“It will take a long time to clean this up, and as yet, we’re still finding out what the damage is regarding cost, not only money but in loss of productivity.

‘This caravan park will not be open for several weeks a number of our waterfront sporting grounds have been damaged, the bowls club, so we’re still yet to find out what the actual impact of this event has been, but we’ve been very well supported.”

Energy and Renewables Minister Nick Duigan said the waiver applied statewide, consistent with the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

“We recognise many Tasmanians will have spoiled food, organics and other green waste material to remove from their properties,” he said.

“We want to remind everyone that these items are also being accepted at waste transfer stations free of charge, and we encourage people to divert these items to composting and other recycling facilities where possible.”

This waste levy exemption follows the Temporary Living Support Payment announced over the weekend which provides $2,000 payments to households with prolonged power outages greater than seven days, or whose homes are uninhabitable.

Applications for payments can be made from 2pm Monday via https://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/cpp/community-grants.

Originally published as Premier announces waste levy waiver to help with flooding clean-up