The Gillard Government’s carbon tax cop has written to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council telling it to brace itself for a major carbon tax hit.
The Gillard Government has named our Council as a polluter and will make ratepayers pay significant carbon tax costs.
The Australian Local Govern-ment Association estimates that the cost of the carbon tax (excluding landfill operations) will be a minimum of $185 million nationwide.
In addition, councils like Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will pay carbon tax on the landfill operations they run or use.
As tip charges go up and up, the risk of illegal dumping will also go up and up.
“It staggers belief that our Council will be whacked for collecting and disposing household rubbish,” Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said.
“Collecting household rubbish is a core responsibility of local government — and under the carbon tax, councils will be slugged for collecting the rubbish.”
Mrs Williams said local residents will be paying the carbon tax on their rates — just like they will be paying carbon tax on electricity, gas and groceries.
“By increasing council costs, the carbon tax costs will mean either increases in council rates and charges or cuts to services.
“These impacts are just the start, as the carbon tax is legislated to go up and up.”
List of NSW Councils written to by the Gillard Government:
- Albury City Council
- Cessnock City Council
- Griffith City Council
- Lake Macquarie City Council
- Maitland City Council
- Newcastle City Council
- Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
- Tamworth Regional Council
- Wollongong City Council
