Cairns residents have their say on a cashless society

Cairns residents are cautious of the idea of a cashless society, with few holding strong opinions on the future of our transactions. JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Cairns residents are cautious of the idea of a cashless society, with few holding strong opinions on the future of our transactions.

It comes after Council’s library services transitioned to cashless in December 2019 with other services, such as transfer stations, making the move in July 2022.

Last month, Division 9 councillor Brett Olds moved a general business motion at council’s planning and environment committee meeting on February 8 which called for the council to include cash transactions at certain council facilities.

Trevor Finch was among the citizens that don’t believe in a cashless society, with the belief that cashless systems take away our freedom to use money.

Karyn Van Ewyk and Sydney Van Ewyk discussing their use of cash and card. Picture: Sandhya Ram

“If the communities give away the right of hard cash, we lose control of every aspect of our lives” he said.

“We won’t have the ability to go shop when we want to or leave the house when we want to”

Local tourism -shop worker Georgina Dance said she liked withdrawing cash and preferred it for budgeting reasons.

“People can otherwise easily see exactly what you do,” she said.

“Lots of holiday makers from America for instance come in with cash. When I travel overseas, I always prefer cash.”

Karyn and Trevor Van Ewyk are holidaying from Sydney and said they still use cash in their transactions, but leaving it is inevitable.

Kaho Okubo explaining her views on a cashless Cairns. Photo: Sandhya Ram.

“We’re using card more and more ourselves,” he said.

“I think it’s worthwhile looking into cashless.”

Brisbane tourist Jacob Turner expressed how without cash, you can’t get robbed for money.

“I think it’s great,” he said.

“If you get robbed or mugged, you won’t have cash on you.”

Tourist Kaho Okubo said in Japan, people used cash more than cards.

“I like to see how much (cash) I use,” she said.

“With cards, you need to keep checking your balance.”

Originally published as Cairns residents have their say on a cashless society