The Queensland Government has announced plans to wind back the state waste levy in a bid to reduce living costs.

 

Citing the roll out of the Federal Government’s carbon tax, State Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell said that the government was moving to keep living costs down.

 

“The Newman government firmly believes the carbon tax is simply an extra cost that will place strain on our economy at a time of global uncertainty, and a time when Queensland’s economy desperately needs to grow,” Mr Powell said.

 

“We are focused on the need to cut the cost of living and cutting green tape. While we cannot control the gate fees of disposal sites, by removing this poorly managed waste tax we are doing what we can to help business and local councils lower their costs.”

 

Minister Powell said his department was also working with the waste industry to establish a strategy that delivered good environmental outcomes.

 

“The Newman government will not shy away from its responsibility to drive policy and regulation reform with regards to waste management, but we need to do this in consultation with industry,” he said.

 

“The government will be listening very carefully over coming months to all those with an interest in waste disposal and looks forward to forming productive partnerships to get the right end result.”