The Victorian Government’s waste management plans appear in disarray after news leaked last week it was surveying residents about how much extra they would pay to process their waste at advanced recovery facilities. It has separately flagged an increased waste levy, and the new specter of a flat $50/household waste charge has left more than a few stakeholders scratching their heads.
The resident survey was allegedly attached to the Victorian Advanced Resource Initiative (VARI), which aims to build up to eight advanced waste treatment centres in Melbourne. Sources say details in the draft VARI strategy, which is being quietly circulated behind closed doors, has seen the government consider a last minute change.
The government recently announced in the Statement of Government Intentions (see page 67) that the state’s landfill waste levy was to rise. A significant hike to $30-50 has previously been speculated by industry insiders.