Fees to use Rotorua's landfill have increased about 50 per cent as a result of a new Government-imposed levy and increased operating costs.
The fee hikes came into effect on Wednesday.
Rotorua District Council says the Government now requires waste disposal facility operators to pay a disposal levy of $10 plus GST
per tonne on all waste disposed of at landfills and that's what prompted the fees increase.
Council works manager Peter Dine said despite the increases, Rotorua landfill fees remained lower than average charges in most other cities around the country.
The levy was introduced in the Government's Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and is aimed at reducing the amount of waste in New Zealand.
Mr Dine said the prices had gone up by 50 per cent and about two-thirds of the increases were a result of the government's new waste-disposal levy imposed on councils. The balance related to escalating operating costs over the last three-and-a-half years.
He said Rotorua's landfill fees had remained unchanged since January 2006. Taking a car load of rubbish to the landfill will now cost $7.50 compared with $5, a single-axle trailer now costs $22.50 compared with $15 and a van or ute now costs $45 compared with $30.
Recycling of glass, paper, plastics and cans remains free of charge.
Fees for recycled material such as green waste, untreated wood waste, clean concrete and asphalt now range from $7.50 to $15 compared with $5 to $10 and disposal charges for commercial waste is now $60 per tonne compared with $40, and $15 per tonne for green waste, or concrete and asphalt material compared with $10 per tonne.
A $2.50 premium applies for cash payments. It was previously $3. * Landfill operating details on the council website www.rdc.govt.nz
