Kyogle Council secures permanent NSW waste levy exemption

The New South Wales Government has granted Kyogle Council a permanent exemption from the state waste levy, a decision following more than a decade of advocacy by local officials. The exemption removes the Kyogle local government area from the Regional Levy Area (RLA) indefinitely, which is expected to save ratepayers up to $400,000 annually.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin lobbied NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Heritage Penny Sharpe for the permanent measure to avoid a situation where the council would have been required to resume payments in July 2027. Minister Sharpe stated that the decision considered factors such as projected population growth, waste generation, and disposal trends.

Kyogle Mayor Danielle Mulholland noted that the council had long argued the levy was not designed for small rural councils. The move brings Kyogle in line with neighboring Tenterfield Shire, which sits outside the RLA.