ORANGE councillors have voted against a levy on waste sent to landfill, arguing council was already doing the work needed.
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A submission will be sent to the NSW Environmental Protection Authority nominating to stay free of the levy or introduce an opt-in system.
A $10 a tonne levy to the state government would increase waste charges by $8 per household and the amount would grow every year.
Councillor Reg Kidd said with the current level of residential rates, the levy could not be justified.
“We have been at the forefront of waste management,” he said.
“It’s working at the moment and people are supporting us - if there are moves on a levy, let the state government force it on us.”
The council diverts 57 per cent of the waste it collects away from landfill, compared with 41.8 per cent for councils already subjected to the levy, on average.
The state government will consider the results of the consultation later in the year.
