Answers to Questions

SOLID WASTE LEVY

In reply to the Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (7 June 2007).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health): I have been advised that:

1. Since the creation of the EPA as an independent authority in July 2002, the EPA has collected approximately $51.7 million from the solid waste levy. The waste levy, however, has been in place a lot longer than that and has been used to fund various waste management programs including Recycle 2000, the waste management committee and the EPA as a former Division of the Department for Environment and Heritage.

The annual collections from the solid waste levy since 2002-2003 are as follows:

Figures for funds collected prior to 2002 are not readily available.

Since 2003-2004, when Zero Waste SA (ZWSA) was created as an independent authority, 50 per cent of the waste levies collected by EPA have been transferred to ZWSA.

2. ZWSA has expended approximately $20 million to the end of May 2007 on programs to promote waste management practices that, as far as possible,

(a) eliminate waste or its consignment to landfill; and

(b) advance the development of resource recovery and recycling.

The Environment Protection Authority has used 50 per cent of the waste levies collected to support the administration and enforcement of the Environment Protection Act by the following;

Developing, drafting and reviewing environment protection policies;

Providing control and minimisation of pollution and waste;

Conducting compliance investigations and provision of environmental monitoring and evaluation programs; and

Provision of advice and assistance regarding environmental management practice.