WE have just received our council rates.
They include: domestic organic charge $60, organics equalisation levy $20, garbage charge $182, recycling charge $56.65, water access charge $185.20, water consumption charge $0.
We agree with paying rates. However, where is the incentive to conserve and reuse and reduce our burden on council facilities.
We have recently built a new house with:
● Three large rainwater tanks - one for the house, one for the garden and one spare and always full. So we use no council water. However we pay a water access charge of $185.20. Where is the incentive for householders to reduce their burden on water supply and possibly eliminate the need for a $47 million pipeline?
● A worm farm so no garbaging of food scraps.
● A compost bin and a mulcher so no need for garden waste.
However we pay a domestic organic charge of $60 and an organics equalisation levy of $20.
We put our garbage bin out only once a month, not once a week. However, we pay the full garbage charge of $182.
We put our recycle bin out only once a month, not once a fortnight. However, we pay the full recycling charge of $56.65.
We designed a north-facing roof and installed solar cells so thankfully no electricity bills.
Every new house could do these things.
Why does council not make it mandatory in their planning rules?
I ask again, where is the incentive to reduce our burden on council facilities and carbon footprint? Why doesn’t council take the initiative and replace standing charges with usage charges to provide this incentive and reward those who try hardest?
Council elections are approaching.
If you want our vote please advise us how you intend to address these questions.
Paul Bridge,
Orange
