Why 130,000 Gold Coast ratepayers will be charged extra $58 next year

Residents have slammed a Gold Coast City Council move that will see 130,000 ratepayers slugged an extra $58 from next year. Have your say in the poll.

Residents are grassed off at a Gold Coast City Council move that will see 130,000 ratepayers slugged an extra $58.80 a year for a green bin.

Eligible households that do not want or use a green organics bin will still be forced to pay for one from next year under the controversial scheme.

From June 30, the council started its city-wide roll out of the new bins to all free-standing houses on lots between 250m2 and 5000m2.

The city will deliver a total of 75,000 new bins to Gold Coast homes between July and September.

This is in addition to the 55,000 green bins already being used in homes across the city.

Ratepayers will be charged an extra $58.80 service fee for them from next year.

Gold Coast City Council is rolling out green bins across the city.

The council’s website stated this charge would be reviewed annually.

“New and existing customers will not have to pay the green organics service fee for the 2023–24 financial year, for the first bin only, as we are providing a rebate to cover the fee this year,” it said.

“Property owners will then be responsible for service fees.”

Mermaid Waters resident Ian Timmins said he did not want or need a green bin.

“We’re going to have to pay for a bin that a majority of people don’t want,” he said.

“It’s appalling they are forcing this on us, especially at a time when finances are tough.”

Mr Timmins believed not enough community consultation was conducted for the scheme.

“I don’t know anybody who was consulted about it,” he said.

Nerang resident Joshua Christopher said he was happy with his decision to opt-in for a council green bin almost two years ago.

“It saves having to put the lawn clippings and leaves from the hedges into the main rubbish bin,” Mr Christopher said.

“It’s handy to have and means I don’t have to visit the landfill as often.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate announced the city wide green bin scheme rollout last month. Picutre: Tertius Pickard

The Nerang resident was unaware he would be charged an extra $58.80 from next year.

“As if the rates aren’t enough. I wouldn’t say I’d be happy to pay it,” he said.

A council spokeswoman said residents could apply for an exemption to the scheme and noted it was in line with similar programs already offered in the Sunshine Coast and Ipswich.

A 2021 council survey found almost 90 per cent of respondents wanted to see more recycling in the city, with the most popular suggestion being the recycling of green organics and food organics.

The council estimated the green bins would save about $2m in the first year alone.

Homeowners can apply for exemptions by visiting cityofgoldcoast.com.au/GreenOrganicsBin.