Manningham Council will return carbon tax savings to ratepayers via their 2015/16 rates notice, following the Federal Government’s recent withdrawal of the carbon tax.

Manningham Council Chief Executive, Joe Carbone, said that an  additional $1.21 million was raised to offset the forecast cost of the carbon tax on Council services and infrastructure as part of the 2012/13 Annual Budget.

“This increase was the equivalent of a 1.56 per cent increase in rates and charges, or an average of $27 for each property.”

However, since 2012, Council has returned approximately one third of the price increase ($420,000) to ratepayers through lower waste charges. This equates to a reduction of approximately $9 to each household already passed on.

For 2013/14, waste charges increased by four per cent compared to the forecast six per cent increase, and for 2014/15 there was a zero increase, compared to the forecast six per cent increase.

Mr Carbone said Council is assessing the remaining cost savings on Council budgets following the withdrawal of the carbon tax from 1 July 2014.

“It is anticipated that the identified balance of savings will be returned by a one off reduction in the 2015/16 rate rise and that ratepayers will see this through their 2015/16 rates notice,” Mr Carbone said.