Providing free access to the Launceston waste centre, in a bid to reduce illegal dumping, is not financially feasible, according to the City of Launceston's chief executive officer.
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Free access to the regional waste and recycling centre was floated as a potential solution to increased reports of illegal dumping.
However the council's chief executive officer Michael Stretton said the costs associated with running the centre - in terms of infrastructure, maintenance and operation costs - were significant.
"It would not be feasible to provide free access to the landfill as this would simply concentrate the cost burden on City of Launceston ratepayers, as opposed to the user pays system which currently exists," he said.
"Per tonne, the cost of waste disposal in Launceston is among the cheapest in the nation."
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Each year every rateable residential property receives a free entry voucher to the waste centre from the council.
In the 2019-20 financial year 31 per cent of those vouchers were redeemed with more than 1650 tonnes of waste disposed.
Mr Stretton said the council also provided a range of other free, or low cost, waste disposal options - including weekly rubbish collection, fortnightly recycling and FOGO bin collection and coordinating the annual Hard Waste Collection Day.
"Additionally, the council established the Uptipity re-sale shop and the Recycling Centre at the Launceston Waste Centre which allows users to dispose of a range of items - at no cost - including polystyrene, glass, cardboard, construction materials, e-waste, motor oil, batteries and many other items," he said.
"As part of the Northern Waste Management Group, the City of Launceston works with other northern council's to pursue waste diversion and recycling initiatives, and to encourage the responsible disposal of waste"
Last year the Environmental Protection Authority received about 294 reports of illegal rubbish dumping across Tasmania.
In the last 2019-20 financial year illegal dumping in Tasmanian forests cost Sustainable Timbers Tasmania about $65,000.
The company has already spent $55,000 clearing illegal dumping off of Permanent Timber Production Zone land in the 2020-21 financial year.
Last year Waratah-Wynyard council gave ratepayers free access to their waste management station to combat the rising problem of illegal dumping.
Mayor Robby Walsh told The Examiner last week that it had the desired effect. He said there was evidence of less dumping in the area and suggested it might work in other municipalities.
You can report illegal dumping to the EPA via their website or the littering hotline - 1300 135 513.
- A previous version of this article referred to Michael Stretton as the City of Launceston general manager - that was incorrect and has been updated
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Jackson Worthington
General news reporter with a special interest in social justice, the economy and family violence. Jackson.Worthington@austcommunitymedia.com.au
General news reporter with a special interest in social justice, the economy and family violence. Jackson.Worthington@austcommunitymedia.com.au
