Big jump in Plains garbage fee

GOLDEN Plains Shire will raise its annual garbage charge by 31 per cent, as it grapples with the fallout from China’s recycling ban.

The increase is by far the largest in the G21 region, with Geelong and Queenscliff lifting their waste charges by 11.5 per cent.

The shire’s annual garbage service fee will rise to $330, with $60 (or 22 per cent) attributed to China’s ban on contaminated recyclables, which has sent shockwaves through the national waste industry.

“We will continue to closely monitor the effects of the global recycling crisis and reevaluate should the situation change,” mayor Helena Kirby said.

Golden Plains Shire this week adopted its 2018-19 budget.

Councillors bowed to public pressure and decided to limit price hikes for Bannockburn child care fees.

Parents had reacted angrily to the proposal to lift the costs by almost 24 per cent, with 26 public submissions arguing against the impost.

In its adopted budget the council limited the rise to 13 per cent — an increase of $14 a day.

“I’m glad we were able to react positively to the community feedback about the child care fee,” Ms Kirby said.

“I want to reassure our families, and the wider community, that your thoughts are important to us and that we are listening to you.”

Key capital works projects for 2018-19 include the $2.6 million first stage of the Bannockburn Heart Precinct.

There is also a $5 million allocation to begin redevelopment of the council’s customer service centre in Bannockburn.

An extra $750,000 will be spent on roads and streetscapes, as part of a $15.1 million asset management investment.