Large rubbish tips and landfill sites operated by more than 30 councils around Australia are set to pay the carbon tax from July 1, according to a new list released by the carbon regulator.

While the City of Ballarat processes waste for local homes and industry as well as nearby municipalities, its emissions are not currently high enough to attract the levy.

Entities which generate more than 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gasses each year will pay the tax, currently equalling 294 companies, universities and local government bodies.

Nearby local government councils including Greater Geelong City Council and the City of Greater Bendigo will pay the $23-a-tonne tax as of next month.

The carbon tax was originally designed to be paid by the top 1000 polluters but Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said last week the lower number had been known for some time.

Mr Combet said the list of polluters would be updated from time to time by the Clean Energy Regulator meaning entities could be added or removed at future dates.

City of Ballarat mayor Mark Harris said the cost of the council’s large footprint of street lights and other electricity usage was likely to increase by around 30 per cent under the new tax.

“We believe council is doing a good job at managing the landfill and other changes in terms of sustainability ... and while I feel sorry for some of the smaller councils, the carbon tax pricing is designed to change behaviour and bring about reduced emissions,” Cr Harris said.

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