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Having regard to the polluter pays principle, we have carefully considered different charging arrangements. The charging scheme for disposal of waste at landfills was worked out after extensive consultations with the trade and relevant bodies. We believe that charging on a per tonne basis is the most equitable as the amount of charge is directly related to the amount of waste disposed. This approach is also advocated by some legislators and a number of the industry associations we have consulted.
However, representations made to the Administration indicated that some sectors of the construction industry would prefer charging on the basis of per vehicle rather than per tonne. After careful consideration, we are prepared to agree to the amendment to the Regulation moved by the Hon. Ronald Arculli to allow charging on either a per tonne basis or a per vehicle basis. This should provide adequate flexibility to the truck drivers, who can choose the option best suited to their business practice. However, there are shortcomings to charging on a per vehicle basis as it does not discourage overloading and, with over 3,000 vehicles visiting landfills daily and nearly three vehicles to be handled every minute during peak periods, the possibility of abuses and fraud may arise. We will therefore need to monitor the scheme carefully to ensure that the landfill users do not abuse the flexibility that the dual charging arrangement permits.
Let me remind Members that the Regulation tabled at this Council sets out the levels of charges under the landfill charging scheme. The detailed charging arrangements, such as the collection method, are not specified in the Regulation. The intention was to allow the Director of Environmental Protection to work out the most practical arrangements in consultation with the parties concerned. The question we now put before Members are rather the Regulations and the Schedule to the Regulations pertaining to the level of charges are reasonable and acceptable to Members. It has always been the Administration intent to enter into consultation with the trade to work out the payment methods. If Legislators approved the scale of charges we have always have the intention that the actual payments will not come into effect until September this year and that is to enable us sufficient time to enter into discussion and agreement with the trade. Recent events - and I refer here to the blockade of the Southeast NT landfill and other landfills by truck drivers over the last weekend - illustrate that some waste collectors are concerned about upfront payment of landfill charges. Let me say again that I and I.... ring up the radio last Friday to repeat that I personally share their view. Waste collectors or drivers should not be the party require to pay upfront charges. They are not the polluters, the waste producers are. Therefore when we negotiate the blockade or the incident, the Government agree that we will set up a working group of representatives from the Government, truck drivers and waste producers, to discuss the detailed charging arrangements. We have also undertaken not to begin levying the charge until there is broad agreement on these arrangements. We also undertake not to begin in the charge until there is broad agreement on this arrangements as that is always been our intention that is the reason why we put the effect today administratively to... I am pleased to note that all the parties concerned have indicated their support for the polluter pays principle including the truck drivers and I hope that all parties concerned to work in good faith to expedite an agreement. I therefore look forward to the working group having constructive discussions and finalising the charging and payment arrangements in the near future.