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Claims that the charges for new waste services in Rodney are going to increase by 50 per cent are incorrect, according to Auckland Council.
In May, the Ratepayers Alliance (a group that lobbies to reduce council spending and rates increases) did a leaflet drop in Rodney claiming that new waste services in the region would see waste collection costs rise by $100 by 2018, going from $216 in 2014 to $316 in 2018.
But Council says the group has the figures wrong and the cost of new waste collection services will likely be closer to $60.
The waste management targeted rate increased from $87 in 2014/15 to $103 in 2015/16. This was due to the introduction of an inorganic waste collection service this year, which costs about $23 per household. The targeted rate is rising again for 2016/17 to $106.
When a food waste collection service comes to the area in 2018, the cost will likely increase between $30 to $50.
But, this cost will be offset as people will buy fewer rubbish bags as their waste reduces, Council says.
“The removal of food waste will enable a resident to reduce the frequency in which they put out general refuse for collection,” a Council spokesperson says. “The Council will consult on the actual level of the waste management targeted rate when the new services are introduced to ensure the community’s views are considered when determining how these services should be funded.”
Residents in rural parts of Rodney will not receive the food waste service and will not be charged the extra cost.
“During consultation on the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP), residents of rural parts of Rodney told us they did not want a food waste collection.”
About 1.3 per cent of general rates also go towards waste services, such as the emptying of litter bins and Council’s Wastewise education programme. This rate increases with general rates rises.
Rubbish collection is user pays at about $2.50 a bag and will remain so.
All up, by 2018 most ratepayers will pay an average of $260 a year for all waste services, including the cost of rubbish bags.
