Waste collection debate dumped

– Callan Date
A DECISION to charge Casey residents a flat rate for waste collection will stand despite an effort from some councillors to reopen debate on the issue.
Councillors Janet Halsall and Rob Wilson failed in their attempt to have a motion, voted on at the council’s meeting on 1 May, rescinded at Tuesday night’s meeting.
At that meeting, five councillors voted to maintain the status quo waste collection cost and five supported the flat rate.
Mayor Colin Butler used his power to vote for the flat rate and that outcome was again confirmed at the most recent meeting.
Attempts to debate the issue on Tuesday were quashed when a majority of councillors voted that the motion be put immediately.
“This is very disappointing behaviour by some of my fellow councillors,” Cr Halsall said.
“I had new information on this issue but other councillors used a cheap and shabby trick to prevent me from sharing it with council,” she said.
Waste service charges currently depend on the value of the property, with those in cheaper properties paying less than those living in more expensive accommodation.
However, that is set to change with the same rate set to be applied to all residents.
“I needed to make it clear that 69 per cent of Casey’s residents will pay higher rates if we adopt a flat rate garbage charge. This percentage is much higher than we first thought,” she said.
After the rescission motion was lost, Cr Wilson moved a further motion that council officers prepare a report reflecting a true user pays system for Casey’s preschools.
This motion was also lost.
River Gum Ward Cr Wayne Smith said he was concerned about the financial impact on residents in his ward.
“More than three quarters of them will be worse off, whilst the wealthiest 30 per cent of Casey residents will have lower rates,” Cr Smith said.