To undertake a situational analysis and sectoral impact analysis of a levy on waste to landfill in Tasmania, that builds upon the work of MRA Consulting (2015) Tasmanian Waste Levy Benefit Study.

The sectoral impact analysis is to be designed to meet the key requirements of a regulatory impact analysis, including that it can be released publicly to inform community discussion on the issues. 

The sectoral impact analysis will update the 2015 MRA study, and:

• Assess the impact on various sectors of the economy of a levy on waste dumped in landfill, and in particular, its effectiveness at achieving the Government policy objective of using the waste levy as a pricing signal to promote resource recovery activity as a more competitive alternative, and increasing the diversion of waste from landfill, as stated in the 2019 Tasmanian draft Waste Action Plan2;
• Consider levy rate options at fixed rates of $10 per tonne, $20 per tonne, $60 per tonne and $120 per tonne and model the sectoral and regulatory impacts for each option;
• Consider the further option of stepping the rate from $20 to $40 then $60 per tonne over a four year period;
• Consider the impacts of the current voluntary levy regimes in the State as the “base case”; and
• Suggest a target rate that would most likely achieve an optimal balance between the policy objectives and the cost impacts on the community as a whole, based on the results of the impact analysis.

The consultancy should also undertake a situational analysis and report on:

• Existing regulatory barriers, gaps or deficiencies that may impede effective implementation of a waste levy in Tasmania;
• Opportunities to leverage off existing structures or systems that would allow for a more efficient implementation of a waste levy in Tasmania (e.g. existing IT platforms or administrative arrangements); and
• Key areas for potential State Government intervention to address adverse impacts of the levy, including to address unauthorised dumping, dumping on the charity sector and whether exemption or rebates should be provided, and ensuring existing organisations such as regional waste management authorities are able to continue providing programs funded from their existing levy revenue.

It is anticipated that the Study will involve strong engagement (noting relevant Government control requirements) with key stakeholders in Tasmania to ensure a diversity of views are considered. In addition, the analyses are to consider how national and international policy changes in recent years have impacted on the situation in Tasmania since the 2015 MRA report.