Second year of waste increase

Ratepayers will cough up an additional management charges were due to ongoing $38 for garbage collection. increases in the waste contract, additional

Absorbing rising costs in fuel and labour, properties and continued increased in landfill Baw Baw Shire residential waste collection levy. charges will increase to $488. It follows council being imposed a 91 per

This is a jump of 8.44 per cent on the previous cent increase in landfill levies by the Environment year, and follows an 11.94 per cent increase Protection Authority between 2021 in 2022/23. and mid-2022.

Whilst the draft budget has focused on The levy jumped 60 per cent from $65.90 to keeping increased fees and charges within six $105.90 per tonne in early 2021, before rising per cent, waste is an exception. Fees have increased again to $125.90 per tonne in July 2022. by an average of eight per cent. This equated to a 91 per cent increase in 18

Waste charges will net council $12.26 million months. in income for the year, of which $11.35 million comes from the $488 residential garbage Cr Leaney said rising costs “has to be recovered” charge. from ratepayers.

Commercial garbage rates will increase by “They’ve given us a gift of a 91 per cent increase almost $50 to $630 annually for a 240 litre in our waste charges,” Cr Leaney said. bin. “We only recover dollar for dollar, we don’t

Garbage services in Tanjil Bren and Walhalla actually make any profit. will increase by more than eight per cent “We are just actually passing on the costs each to $152 and $234 respectively. that are passed onto us from the state, and An officer report said the increased waste people should be aware of that,” he said.

AND DROUIN GAZETTE April 18 2023 Page 19