Refuse dump increase gets set to hit rates

By Tania Martin
HILLS residents could feel an extra pinch in their rates bills this year following a 233 per cent increase in council landfill levies.
The State Government recently announced the move to increase fees from $9 per tonne to $30 per tonne on rubbish dumped at landfill sites across Victoria.
The decision is expected to have a massive impact on 2010-11 council budgets.
Yarra Ranges Council spokesman James Martin said although the shire has no landfill sites, it would face the extra costs every time it deposits rubbish at the Lyndhurst site.
He said this would apply to any material transported from the shire’s transfer stations in Coldstream, Lysterfield and Healesville.
But Mr Martin said it was still unclear what it would cost the council.
“It’s likely it will result in increased tipping charges at transfer stations and through the municipal garbage charge, which is part of the annual rates notice,” he said.
In the neighbouring Cardinia Shire, the increase is expected to cost the council more than $370,000.
Spokesman Paul Dunlop said the jump would equate to an additional $330,000 for domestic waste disposal and a further $40,000 for hard waste.
State Government spokesman Chris Owner said the increase would only equate to a 20 per cent a week jump for ratepayers.
He said the move would lead to greater recycling and the creation of more than 700 jobs over the next five years.
“Victorians are already very good at recycling but there is more we can do,” Mr Owner said.
Mr Dunlop said although the council had not made any firm decisions on it 2010-11 rates, the increase would add significantly to the cost of services.
“We are committed to providing residents with the most efficient waste management services which include reducing the amount of waste going to landfill,” Mr Dunlop said.
Yarra Ranges mayor Len Cox said if the changes went ahead it would have a severe impact on works planned in the shire in 2010-11.
He has questioned the timing of the decision.
“The State Government should have known that most councils have their budgets already organised and it would impact on other works…it’s a great irritation we didn’t get more notice,” Cr Cox said.
He said the increase would ultimately hit rate payers in the hip pocket.
Cr Cox said although no decision had been made it was possible the $120 garbage charge would be increased to cope with the extra costs.
“Ultimately it’s the ratepayers that pay for these things,” Cr Cox said.
Cr Cox was sceptical about the increases saying it was hard to believe the charge would be an incentive for people to throw less into landfill and start recycling more.
“Except for having an impact on the hip pocket, I can’t see much benefit in it,” he said.
But Mr Owner said all Victorians needed to play their part in creating a sustainable future.