Agenda - Byron Shire Council - NSW Government

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL
ORDINARY MEETING 9 MAY 2013 (90)
Aged pensioners
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Initially there was some criticism received from aged pensioners in the community who were
concerned they had a lack of resources to move and transport heavy items. Consideration has
been given to implementing a system whereby residents on an aged/disabled pension book in a
service which is collected and disposed of on their behalf.
Currently there are 14,690 rate payers in the Shire and 2,501 of these are rate payers who are
eligible for an exemption under the aged/disability category, accounting for approximately 17% of
total residences. At an estimated cost of $100 per household to conduct the service, this would add
approximately $250,000 to the overall cost of a bulky waste service. This cost would be even
greater if pensioners who rent their property are included.
The large number of people in this category proportional to the total rate means that
implementation of this service would result in a significant increase in rates across the Shire to
cover these costs and this is considered not feasible.
Improvements
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Whilst providing a direct bulky waste service for aged/disability pensioners is considered unfeasible
at this stage, the scheduled introduction of a kerbside green waste and organics collection service
will provide residents, including aged and disability pensioners, with the opportunity to
progressively dispose of waste that might otherwise have been done once a year during the former
annual bulky waste kerbside collection.
Financial Implications
One of the key reasons Council changed the service delivery model for bulky waste collection was
cost.
The trial of the new service based at the landfill is lower cost and has far more scope for cost
control than the former kerbside service.
Retaining the new service with the recommended improvements will assist Council with the goal of
achieving long term financial sustainability.
Retaining the new service with the recommended improvements will also assist with addressing
drivers that are increasing the cost of waste and recycling services and these include:
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Continuing increases to the NSW waste levy
Increased regulatory requirements for operating the landfill
Increasing costs for key inputs such as fuel and heavy plant
Land purchases to provide for future waste handling capacity
Development and construction of the new Quarry landfill
In accordance with Resolution 13-137 the following information is provided to Council in all reports
prepared for the 9 May, 13 and 27 June 2013 Ordinary Meetings:
The estimated staff hours for the preparation of this report was approximately 6 hours.
Statutory and Policy Compliance Implications
Continuation of the new bulky waste drop off service at the landfill reduces waste to landfill and
increases recycling.
Ordinary Meeting Agenda 09/05/13