Holroyd City Council wanted its residents to know the impact of federal and state government on its waste management charge which it has been forced to increase for this financial year.
Blacktown City Council wanted residents to know that the 250 gross pollutant traps located across the LGA had been money well spent.
“Council would like residents to be aware of the breakdown of this increase and the cumulative impact state and federal government policy has on the cost of waste treatment and disposal,” a Holroyd statement said.
Holroyd City Council said the increase in charges was predominantly as a result of increased waste tipping charges, being the cost Council pays to treat and dispose of its residential waste.
It said this financial year waste treatment and disposal costs were impacted by: • The NSW Govt’s Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Section 88 • Levy (Waste Levy).
• The NSW Govt’s tighter regulations as part of The Organic Outputs Derived from • Mixed Waste Exemption 2010 meaning Council has incurred additional costs for the processing of waste at the UR-3R alternate waste treatment facility.
• The commencement of the Federal Government’s Clean Energy legislation.
The impact of the above totalled an additional cost for each domestic waste service of $73.19, approximately 18% of Council’s domestic waste management charge.
“This is double taxation and one of these imposts isn’t necessary,” Holroyd Mayor Ross Grove told WSBA. “Our residents are being double slugged, it’s as simple as that.”
Meanwhile, Blacktown City Council wanted residents to know its gross pollutant traps were protecting the areas waterways from hundreds of tonnes of waste every year.
Blacktown City Council regularly empties and cleans over 250 gross pollutant traps located throughout its LGA.
They were introduced into Blacktown LGA in the early 1990s and act as a large sieve filtering pollution out of the water before it flows into nearby creeks and waterways.
The gross pollutant traps are funded by grants from the NSW government, developer contributions, private industry and council programs.
Blacktown City Mayor Len Robinson recently witnessed a trap being emptied in the Angus Creek catchment in Rooty Hill, where a number of traps are located.
Cr Robinson was impressed with the amount of rubbish collected - an astonishing five tonnes of pollution during a three month period.
“Gross pollutant traps are a cost effective way to maintain our stormwater systems, they ensure that the rubbish and pollution that is carried into our drains remains out of our waterways“, Cr Robinson said.
“Stopping problems and pollution at the source helps protect the environment and lessens Council’s maintenance costs.”
The pollution removed included polystyrene, various drink containers, straws, cigarette butts, tennis balls, plastic bags, paper, chip packets, and a range of takeaway food containers.
It also included organic matter, such as leaves, grass and weeds and a reasonable amount of sediment, that was likely to contain nutrients, oils and heavy metals.
“Local residents can help lessen the amount of pollution going into stormwater systems by regularly sweeping their gutters, picking up their pets droppings and disposing of rubbish in the correct way,” Cr Robinson said.
