Residents in storm-affected Hunter LGAs can dispose of damaged items and debris at landfill sites without paying the waste levy fee.
The NSW Government has waived the tax for six weeks to support communities impacted by recent severe thunderstorms as they rebuild and recover.
The exemption is backdated to 15 January, remaining in place until 28 February.
The Natural Disaster Waste Levy Exemption will apply to the following council areas:
- Cessnock City
- Maitland City
- Port Stephens
- Upper Hunter Shire
“The NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) is reaching out to other affected councils for potential inclusion in the exemption,” a spokesperson said.
“This assistance aims to speed up recovery efforts and reduce financial pressures on households and businesses.
“It is a welcome step in helping our communities clean up and recover quickly from the severe weather.
“The waiver covers storm-related waste on public and private land, including damaged building materials, furniture, carpet, garden debris, food waste and other items.
“Requests for extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
“Landfill operators may still charge their operation charge, also known as the gate fee or tip fee.”
It comes after Federal Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister declared the wild weather a “natural disaster”, opening up payments for families and businesses.
“The assistance activated [today] will ensure communities can access essential supplies and accommodation and ensure councils can start clean up and repairs,” she said.
“This is a time when individuals need to think about their own risks and listen to advice.”
Wind gusts of up to 100km/h throughout the week left more than 100,000 Sydney customers without power and 40,000 were still without electricity on Saturday morning, Ausgrid said.
Another 12,000 people were without power in the Hunter region, along with 8,000 in Port Stephens.
Warnings are in place for communities and campers northwest of Newcastle, too, downstream of the Chichester Dam.
“We do currently have some locations that are becoming isolated,” NSW SES Commissioner Michael Wassing said.
“And, the warnings reflect that.
“We’re very closely engaged with the local communities.
“Most of our other calls are associated with significant storming impact around the Sydney area, particularly North Sydney.”
Heavy rainfall and damaging winds are expected to ease off on Saturday afternoon, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Hazardous surf warnings will remain in place for the Sydney and Illawarra coasts.
- With AAP
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