Steep increases in the solid waste levy (bin tax) and fees and charges paid by tradies (tradie’s tax) will lead to an increase in the price of building a new home when the housing industry is struggling. In the State Budget announced last week, Marshall’s Liberal Party announced a range of new fees and charges which will not only hurt the average householder, but further weaken the housing industry, according to Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo. Mr Piccolo said when the housing industry is doing badly and shedding jobs daily, the State Marshall Liberal Government has gone out of its way to impose more costs on the building of a new home. “Industry Association, the Master Builders South Australia is warning that house prices will rise under the Marshall Liberal Government’s 40% bin tax hike,” said Mr Piccolo. From 1 January next year, the Solid Waste Levy - payable on all waste sent to landfill - will rise to $140/tonne in metropolitan council areas and $70/tonne in regional areas, a 40% bin tax hike. The waste associated with the construction industry will also be hit with the increased bin tax. Mr Piccolo said according to the State’s last published Recycling Activity Survey, the construction and demolition industry can boast that it recycles or recovers in excess of 80% of its waste. “The 40% bin tax hike is estimated to take the construction industry’s State-wide Solid Waste Levy tax bill from $29.2 million per year, to $40.9 million, and this cost will be passed onto people trying to build their new home,” he said. “It is getting near impossible to get your average young person into their own homes. “For many young and aspiring first home buyers, they are finding it harder and harder to buy their own home. “The tax increases will not only lead to jobs being lost but impose additional costs on tradies who work in the housing industry. “A range license and registrations fees will increase by 10%, while driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations up by 5.1%, having a significant impact on tradie’s oncomes. “Tradies will have to either take a cut in their incomes or pass on the costs onto people trying to build their new home.”