The cost to Indigo Shire Council ratepayers per year for waste and recycling collection has been reduced due to a seven year Regional Domestic Waste/Recycle/Green Waste Collection contract awarded in July 2005.

Indigo Shire Council CEO Mr John Costello said this was a win-win situation for ratepayers in the Shire and for Council with the overall reduction in costs.

“The overall saving across the Shire is almost $50,000 as the annual fee has gone from $155 to $145 per charge for those receiving the service,” he said.

“The new regional contract with Cleanaway is better able to offer lower prices to Local Government and ultimately to rate payers.

“Council’s annual budget for waste management is approximately $975,000 which includes domestic waste/recycling/green waste collection, operation of transfer Stations and street & park bin collection.

“Overall it costs the Council $235,000 to provide a recycling collection service per year and $423,000 per year to provide a waste collection service. Provision of the Green Waste collection service cost a further $71,000 to provide and residents pay an annual fee of $80 for this optional service.”

Mr Costello said in addition to this, it costs Council $214,000 this year to provide two transfer stations and this includes disposal of all putrescible and hard waste on the sites, supervisor wages and processing of green waste on site.

“Many residents are not aware of what the waste management facility levy is when they see it listed on their rate notice,” he said.

“This is not an additional charge rather it is the amount of your rates that is used to cover the cost of providing waste management facilities in the shire.

“For example, the funding of rehabilitation of the former Yackandandah and Chiltern landfills will cost Council hundreds of thousands of dollars which is being provided for in current and future budgets.

“As part of a new communications strategy we are hoping to inform the community about where their money is being spent and what services in waste management are provided to them as a result.”

He said people might not be aware it also costs $31,000 to service street and park bins throughout the shire.

For more information people should call Mr Mark Greene on (02) 6028 1149.