WARRNAMBOOL residents will have lower charges for kerbside waste and reycling collections due to a better-than-expected contract deal for next financial year.
The new contract with locally-based company Wheelie Waste came in at about $400,000 cheaper a year than the previous deal with the same contractor.
It means the annual domestic waste management fee will drop from $253 to $223.
The new contract agreement is for six years at $1.013 million a year with an option for a further two years.
Council infrastructure services director Peter Robertson said major savings in the waste contract reflected changes in the recycling market.
“This is a significant reminder of the benefits that flow from improved recycling practices,” he said.
Mr Robertson said the Warrnambool community was doing a fantastic job reducing the amount of waste going to landfill, by increasing recycling.
“This is extremely important because the more waste we send to landfill, the more it costs our ratepayers,” he said.
“State Government landfill levy fees have increased from $7 a tonne to $23 a tonne during the past 5 years and will continue to increase further.”
Corangamite Shire Council’s proposed waste management charge is $246, Colac Otway Shire Council’s weekly collection charge is $277, Glenelg Shire Council’s is $197 and Southern Grampians Shire Council’s is $184 for most of the municipality.
pcollins@standard.fairfax.com.au