MEMBER for Light Tony Piccolo has claimed increases to fees and charges included in last week’s State Budget could escalate the cost of building a new home.

The release of the State Budget last week revealed an increase to the solid waste levy – to $110 per tonne, rising to $140 in January – as well as a 10 per cent rise to consumer and business service fees paid by builders, plumbers, gas fitters and electricians.

Mr Piccolo said the ‘bin tax’ would increase the construction industry’s state-wide solid waste levy bill from $29.2 million a year to $40.9 million.

“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.

“The tax increases will not only lead to jobs being lost but impose additional costs on tradies who work in the housing industry.

The State Budget also included a $104.5 million housing stimulus package, designed to help support home buyers get in to new homes and the building industry to create them.

Mr Piccolo said the increase in license fees would see costs shifted to new home buyers.

“A range license and registrations fees will increase by 10 per cent, while driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations up by 5.1 per cent, having a significant impact on tradie’s oncomes,” he said.

“Tradies will have to either take a cut in their incomes or pass on the costs onto people trying to build their new home.”