Logan council budget delay reignites tip voucher black market
Tip users are resorting to the black market after Logan City Council delayed its Budget and sending out the next lot of tip vouchers to ratepayers.
Logan
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A month delay in handing down Logan’s Budget has had a knock-on effect for those using the city’s tips and has reignited a black market trade in dump vouchers.
LANDLORDS v TENANTS IN TIP VOUCHER WAR
The council is unable to issue valid tip vouchers until it sends out the next round of rates notices, which cannot be sent until after the budget is handed down on July 20.
The delay has reignited online requests and a black market for valid Logan tip vouchers with buyers heading to selling point Gumtree offering to buy the free passes for up to $30.
Logan tip vouchers experienced a surge in demand in 2017-18 when they also attracted black market attention after the city experienced floods and a series of high-velocity storms.
This week, Amber wrote on Gumtree, “Hi, I’m interested in Logan City Council Waste Vouchers. Is this still available? If so, when and where can I pick it up? Cheers.”
Another, Sue from Rochedale South, also inquired about where she could get hold of some vouchers and offered $30.
The last lot of vouchers for this financial year (2019/2020) are valid until Friday, July 31, or up until the new vouchers for the next financial year are issued.
Residents were today warned they would be charged a minimum of $9 if they did not have valid vouchers.
Logan Ratepayers Association President Rod Shaw said charging residents and ratepayers was disgraceful and the issue of delayed vouchers should have been sorted out two months ago.
“There should not be any charges to use the council facility. Simply displaying their rates notices should give all residents and ratepayers access.”
Four vouchers a year are issued to residential properties allowing them free entry to the city’s five waste transfer stations at Browns Plains, Carbrook, Logan Village, Greenbank and Beenleigh.
The council said the unusual circumstances created a short period between the expiry date of the last vouchers and the next lot of vouchers issued with the July period rates notices.
This week, the council debated starting a new on-demand and bulky waste kerbside clean up service to replace the suburb-by-suburb format.
During budget talks last month, it was decided a report would be written detailing the option, which would start on July 1, next year, if approved.
If adopted, it would be one of the new services provided under the council’s new waste contractor Cleanaway, which will replace JJ Richards.
The council said an on-demand kerbside clean-up was better than the current suburb-by suburb format because it could be booked by a resident once a year at their convenience, reducing the issue of the eyesore of rubbish left on footpaths for days.
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Tip rates at Logan start at $9 for residents and ratepayers for a small load of domestic waste, which fit in the boot of a sedan or half of a trailer.
A medium load of domestic waste, typically a full trailer or utility, is $14 while a large load is $22. There remains no charge for domestic green waste.