Maroondah Council passes 2018-19 budget, increases rubbish collection fees by 27 per cent

MAROONDAH Council has adopted its 2018-19 budget — locking in a rubbish collection price hike of almost $70 per household from July.

Maroondah Council will increase rubbish collection fees by 27 per cent from July after approving its 2018-19 budget on Monday.

MAROONDAH Council has adopted its 2018-19 budget — locking in a rubbish collection price hike of almost $70 per household.

Councillors unanimously approved the budget and ratepayers’ annual rates at their May meeting on Monday night.

The budget, which includes $43 million for capital works, is expected to deliver the council an $18 million surplus by July 2019.

Ratepayers can expect an average 2.25 per cent rate rise increase in line with the State Government’s rates cap from July.

But they can also expect an additional rubbish collection charge, which has increased by 27 per cent to cover higher operating costs due to China’s ban on imported recyclables.

Households with standard 120 litre bins will cost $324 to be emptied — an increase of $68.50. Those with smaller 80 litre bins will be charged $270 — a jump of $57.

Maroondah’s $68.50 increase is the second highest announced by a council to date, surpassed only by Bayside Council’s planned $92.75 jump for a emptying a standard 120-litre bin.

Cr Mike Symon put forward the council’s motion supporting a container deposit scheme in Victoria to ease the recycling crisis at a Municipal Association of Victoria meeting last week.
Cr Symon said the motion was adopted and widely supported by other councils at the meeting.

He told Maroondah Leader the council’s 2018-19 budget was “responsible, run at a surplus and allows the council to deliver its services, policies and a great capital works program”.

The budget received three public submissions — none of which alluded to the proposed rubbish collection changes.

One of the submissions was from the Alliance For Gambling Reform — who requested $25,000 for a partnership.

The request was not included but councillors spoke about gambling issues in Maroondah during the meeting and considering the request at a later date, potentially through a $50,000 fund set aside for future initiatives.