How Our Waste Services are Funded

Some services are funded from general rates because they benefit the whole community. These services include:

• Public litter bins.
• Street sweeping.
• Clean-up of illegally dumped rubbish.
• Green Waste Amnesty events.
• Waste Disposal Privileges card.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does illegally dumped rubbish impact costs for Council and the community?

If someone avoids paying disposal fees by dumping illegally, the cost doesn't disappear, it is shifted onto everyone else. Council has to clean it up, which means ratepayers end up paying through higher rates or less money for roads, parks and communtiy facilities. Combined with the potential for environmental damage to the local area and impacts on tourism and local business, it's not worth it.

2. What portion of our general rates go towards waste management?

Twelve per cent of your general rates are spent on waste management. More information can be found here.

3. What can residents do to help keep waste costs down?

• Avoid unnecessary waste.
• Reuse what you can.
• Recycle correctly.
• Compost your food and garden waste.
• Take advantage of resource recovery opportunities.

The less waste sent to landfill, littered or dumped, the lower the costs to both Council and the community.

Overall, Council's approach to waste management cost recovery balances fairness, affordability and environmental responsibility across all waste services