Petition for Cairns Regional Council to reverse cashless decision gathers hundreds of signatures

Some Cairns residents say they are so infuriated with council’s decision to go cashless they have started an online petition, with one even dumping refuse with cash taped to it.

A battalion of Cairns residents have railed against council’s move to abandon cash transactions at some of its facilities and have begun a petition to reverse the decision.

Cairns Regional Council began transitioning some of its facilities – such as libraries, transfer stations and CPAC – to exclusive cashless transactions from 2019.

One citizen taped cash to refuse before dumping it at the front of transfer station gates.

This “vulnerable minority”, as they were referred to in February’s planning and environment committee meeting, have collated paper petitions to launch at Spence St in the near future or joined the hundreds who have signed online.

Mooroobool resident Frankie Hogan is urging Cairns citizens to sign the petition against Cairns Regional Council's decision to cease cash transactions at its facilities. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

Mooroobool resident Frankie Hogan said the paper petition, which she organised, has garnered more than 1500 signatures in less than three weeks.

“This decision to go cashless impacts the vulnerable, is discriminatory and is controlling,” Ms Hogan said.

“A lot of people are not happy about it. I meet elderly people who tell me ‘I only use cash’.

“Council need to realise we, the people, want to keep cash in society.”

A separate online petition, titled ‘Bring back cash payment options to Cairns Regional Council facilities, has gathered almost 1000 signatures.

Division 9 councillor Brett Olds said council’s decision to transfer to cashless was operational and not voted on by councillors.

Cash taped to refuse and dumped outside of a transfer station in Cairns. Picture: Supplied

“It beggars belief that a controversial move like this would just be made at an operational level and not voted on by the elected council, without proper community consultation,” Cr Olds said.

“We work for the people of Cairns, we don’t lord over them.

“Taking away people’s right to choose is never a good idea in my opinion … especially by unelected bureaucrats that can’t be held to account by (the) community.

“Cash is still legal tender in this country … council is only here because of the community – they pay for the infrastructure, essential services and (council) employees’ wages, so they should have the right to choose to pay in whatever form of legal tender this country has chosen to use.

“And, currently, cash is still OK.”

Division 9 councillor Brett Olds expressed his frustration over the cashless policy, which he said was “discriminatory”, at February’s planning and environment committee meeting. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

Cr Old’s said council CEO Mica Martin told councillors via email on February 14 the issue would be quickly brought back to a council workshop and requested councillors submit further relevant information.

But Cr Olds said he hadn’t submitted any additional information as he had made his concerns clear at the February 8 meeting as well as previous workshops.

“We haven’t heard anything since that email about when to expect a workshop on it or when we’ll get to vote on it,” he said.

“We need to consult with community on this … then allow the elected councillors the right to vote on it. and we absolutely can be held accountable by the residents.”

Frankie Hogan said she would deliver the petition to council CEO Mica Martin before the issue is raised as a general business motion at a council meeting.

“I think it’s unfair unelected members of council have made this decision,” she said.

Originally published as Petition for Cairns Regional Council to reverse cashless decision gathers hundreds of signatures