China foreign waste ban: Victorian ratepayers to be stung with higher recycling costs via rate notices

CHINA’s trash ban is driving rate rises of up to $2.5 per cent, with ratepayers of at least one Melbourne council to be slugged up to $100 a year.

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CHINA’s ban on foreign waste will see ratepayers of at least one Melbourne council slugged up to $100 a year.

Bayside Council is facing unprecedented fees from recycling companies, who previously paid for the waste, after China announced a ban on certain imported recyclables.

The switch is expected to cost Bayside ratepayers more than $1.6 million annually, borne via the annual charge on their annual rate notice.

They are already paying an average $1755 in rates — with a five or six per cent increase next year equating to an extra $80-$105 per household.

The waste charge will form $50-$70 of that amount, with the charge exempt from the state government’s 2.25 per cent cap on rate rises.

Environment, Recreation and Infrastructure director Steven White said people should keep recycling as normal, and assured residents no recyclable matter would end up in landfill.

But he said the higher recycling costs would continue until there was an established local market, significant improvements to the quality of recyclables or an international marketplace.

“These changes provide a strong impetus ... to explore opportunities to reduce the amount of waste and packaging that they and their households create,” Mr White said.

The exact rate increase will be decided by councillors on April 24.

Municipal Association of Victoria chief executive Rob Spence said the “recycling crisis” would equate to a rate rise of between 1.1 and 2.5 per cent for all ratepayers from next financial year.

A $13 million state government emergency assistance package is helping councils in the interim, but come the new financial year councils will have to absorb the increased costs.

“We anticipate the impacts of the China ban will be felt by all Victorians,” Mr Spence said.

“The priority for state and federal governments should now be on significant investment into our local recycling industry to help strengthen our system, and protect jobs and the environment.”

Up to 72 Victorian councils are likely to adjust their waste charges to match the increased costs.