Edward River Council plans to introduce a three-bin garbage collection system from July, but has not provided details to residents.
It has said “more information about how the system will operate will be provided to you closer to the start date, which is anticipated to be in July 2024”.
Concerns have been expressed to the Pastoral Times about the future of Deniliquin’s waste management, including the cost.
Council says the three-bin system is expected to cost an additional $150 (per household).
But there are still unknowns, with one resident telling the Pastoral Times that council appears to be taking a “trust us” approach, which he says based on council’s past record “should ring alarm bells for residents”.
In relation to charges, the council website says:
“Every year your garbage charge increases slightly in line with inflation”.
It explains that next year there will be an additional charge due to the introduction of the three-bin system and that “at this stage it is anticipated to be an increase of around $150 to the Domestic Waste Management Charge”.
However, it also says that “more details about these charges will be available next year as part of the community consultation of all council fees and charges”.
There is increasing concern about the costs associated with running ERC, and how much is being borne by ratepayers.
In 2023 council considered an independent report which recommended massive rate increases through a government-approved Special Rate Variation of 42 per cent.
Early this year it was revealed there have been significant increases in payroll costs at ERC, which have soared from $7.4 million before a merger that was designed to reduce payroll, to nearly $12 million this financial year.
As a result of what has been described as “ERC’s seemingly insatiable appetite for spending ratepayers’ money”, the Pastoral Times has been told of fears there could be major changes to waste management, and again it will be ratepayers footing the bill.
The future of the Tip Rd waste disposal centre has also been questioned, including whether the new three-bin system would reduce its lifespan and lead to reduced waste disposal options for residents, potentially at a higher cost.
Questions regarding the long-term capacity of the waste depot and the three-bin system rollout and education campaign were sent to Edward River Council on Friday.
It was unable to provide a response in time for yesterday’s print deadline, but has committed to providing an update in this Friday’s edition.
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to make submissions to council’s Draft Waste Management Policy which close this Friday.
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