By Bridie Byrne
WASTE collection companies across Wyndham are on the brink of collapse following controversial changes to the landfill levy charge.
The landfill levy for householders is set to increase from $9 a tonne in 2009-10 from July to $40 a tonne by 2011-12.
It has forced Wyndham Council to raise the garbage charge from $161.60 to a staggering $195.25 in the draft budget last week.
The State Government announced the levy in March, despite councils having already completed budget planning.
Bagmans Skip Hire owner Tim Harmer said the industry was being forced to hike up their prices.
“We have been struggling so much already and this is going to be the nail in the coffin for small businesses,” he said.
“My business is already on a tight budget and it is going to be difficult to raise costs and then be an acceptable service to the public.
“We are at the end of our rope and will be looking for jobs in the next couple of months.”
Dave’s Skips owner David Butlin said he had already dropped 75 per cent of his workload.
“Nobody is spending money at the moment, it will send us under,” he said.
“It’s the heavy stuff that is the killer.
“A three tonne load will go up an extra $60 on top of the price of the bin and nobody wants to pay that.”
Mr Butlin said they were also being driven out of business by council changes to the hard waste collection.
The council introduced a new system last year to improve the city’s presentation and public safety problems.
Ratepayers can book two hard waste collections at any time of the year.
