Rubbish disposal costs up

Another financial year and another increase in rubbish charges for Whangarei's ratepayers.
Whangarei District Councillors yesterday approved the hike for the 2009/10 financial year, to come into effect from July 1.
The cost of a standard rubbish bag - up 20 cents to $2.20 - has increased by 57 per cent since it was introduced in 2006.
Trucks and large trailers will pay $144 a tonne compared to $130 at present. In 2005/06, ratepayers paid $90. A smaller trailer will cost $27, up by $3.
The council said the reasons for the rise were that it would encourage people to recycle and that its contractors had increased their charges.
Works and Services manager Simon Weston said fees and charges were revised annually as a cost recovery measure by the council and its contractors.
Councillor Vince Cocurullo was disappointed the rubbish bags' price had gone up and asked what the excuse was, given that fuel costs were blamed for the last increase in 2008. "The concept of recycling is excellent, it's brilliant, but as a council we need to push for it more rather than just keep putting up the price of rubbish bags."
Composting, removing organic items that could be recycled and setting up a proper green waste area needed to be encouraged, he said.
Cr Sharon Morgan wondered whether the increase in rubbish-bag fees would increase illegal flydumping. Mr Weston replied it wouldn't in a measurable way.
Small increases were also approved for vehicles such as utes, vans and cars that carted rubbish to landfills and tyre disposals.
The council is working on plans for a $10 million landfill at Puwera, about 8.5km south of the city and 1.5km southwest of Portland. Mr Weston said once it was open, the council would not have to cart its rubbish to Auckland.
No date has been set for the Puwera landfill to be opened, despite consent for it being given several years ago.